E ri n D a v i d s o n s h a r e s h e r e x p e r i e n c e c o m p l e t i n g t h e S ch u l i ch M i n i - M B A f o r I n d i g e n o u s L e a d e r s R eceiving the email informing me that I had been accepted into the Indigenous Leaders Mini-MBA program, offered through Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) and the Schulich School of Business at York University, marked the beginning of a transformative journey. My path to this opportunity was anything but traditional. Much of what I have learned in life and busi- ness has been self-taught. Entering a virtual classroom alongside accom- plished corporate leaders and fellow entrepreneurs pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. It had been decades since I had participated in a formal academic setting, yet I embraced the challenge as an opportunity to deepen my understanding of business and continue my lifelong pursuit of learning. School had always brought me anxiety. Looking back, I recognize that undiag- nosed ADHD likely contributed to many of the struggles I experienced growing up in the 1980s and 1990s. At the time, these challenges were often unrecog- nized, but they have since become part of the resilience and determination that shape who I am today. When I founded Erindale Design in 2020, I discovered not only a passion for art and woodworking, but also a profound love of entrepreneurship. I came to appreciate every facet of building a business. The excitement, the uncertainty, the connections, and the perseverance required to move forward. Along the way, I have been sustained by the unwavering encour- agement of family, friends, clients and mentors who believed in me. Earning an MBA had long been a dream of mine, though a traditional full- time program was not feasible during this season of my life. The Mini-MBA provided the perfect opportunity to complement the knowledge I had gained through self-taught, lived busi- ness experience. From the very first email, I felt supported by both the CCIB team and the faculty at Schulich. Every aspect of the program, from the curriculum to the composi- tion of the cohorts, was thoughtfully designed. The diverse strengths and perspectives of my classmates enriched every discussion. Initially, I wondered what I could contribute among such exceptionally accomplished peers. I soon realized that creativity, lived experience, and an entrepreneurial mindset bring tremen- dous value. My perspective, shaped by resilience and grit forged through experience and by the opportunities I have embraced, became an asset to the group just as theirs were to me. Each professor brought passion and expertise to the classroom. The courses in strategy, marketing, finance, nego- tiation and leadership challenged me to think more critically and approach business decisions from new angles. The historical and scenario-based discussions, in particular, reshaped the way I analyze opportunities and solve problems. The Fireside Chats were another high- light. Hearing from leaders in indus- tries ranging from consumer goods and banking to artificial intelligence provided invaluable insights and inspi- ration. Their generosity in sharing their experiences reinforced the importance of continuous learning and leadership. I am deeply grateful to be part of this inaugural alumni community of 34 other leaders. This experience affirmed for me that education has the power to transform not only individuals, but also families, communities and Nations. I will forever be thankful to CCIB, the Schulich School of Business, my class- mates, and the faculty for making this journey possible. MY TRANSFORMATIVE MINI-MBA JOURNEY By Erin Davidson 40 A CCIB PUBLICATION Fall 2026 GUEST COLUMN
View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.