Kellogg-Schulich EMBA Alumna Champions Accessibility in Education
“My Kellogg-Schulich EMBA helped me become the leader I am today. Serendipitously, every class I took had a direct impact on my work, be it strategy, finance, operations, marketing, even statistics,” said Niluka Kottegoda, who graduated with an EMBA from Schulich in October.
Recently named Vice President, Merchandising Innovation & Development at Sobeys, Niluka started her career with Sobeys as Director of Procurement Services in 2010 and she has progressively expanded her portfolio of executive roles, which also includes Merchandising and Process Integration and Business Development. “The best part of my new job is my team. I have the deepest respect for their knowledge and great admiration for each of them as people,” said Niluka.
Niluka’s passion for people and knowledge inspired her to establish the Dream Chaser Change Maker Award at Schulich, which aims to make education more accessible in Canada and around the world. In Niluka’s words, “An education allows you to open your heart and mind to doing things differently, it teaches you new ways of viewing problems, it allows you to disagree yet still respect each other, and it enlightens you with the recognition that diversity makes a team stronger and more effective every time.”