Skip to main content
McMaster University
DeGroote School of Business
McMaster University
Search

DSB Main Website Search

McMaster Menu
DeGroote Menu
  • Home
  • Programs
  • About
    • About DeGroote
    • Our Leadership
    • Dean’s Corner
    • McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery
    • Our Faculty & Research  
    • Strategic Plan 
    • Annual Report 
  • Events
  • Students
    • Student Resources
    • Student Clubs
    • Submit a Student Bulletin
    • Submit your Event
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Resources
    • Wayne C. Fox Distinguished Alumni Award 
    • DeGroote Alumni Social Impact Award
  • Staff
  • Give
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • DeGroote Directory
Search McMaster Menu
  • Home
  • Programs
  • About
    About DeGrooteOur LeadershipDean’s CornerMcLean Centre for Collaborative DiscoveryOur Faculty & Research  Strategic Plan Annual Report 
  • Events
  • Students
    Student ResourcesStudent ClubsSubmit a Student BulletinSubmit your Event
  • Alumni
    Alumni ResourcesWayne C. Fox Distinguished Alumni Award DeGroote Alumni Social Impact Award
  • Staff
  • Give
  • Contact
    Contact UsDeGroote Directory

ALUMNI  

A Student Perspective: How Understanding Policymaking Can Help Address Global Issues

September 28, 2022 ·

Contributed by: Olivia Stankovich

Share

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Mail Copy Link
Gurveer Bains, wearing a black jacket smiles against a blue background with the text 'I'm a #CanStudyUS2022 fellow!'

CanStudyUS Fellow Gurveer Bains, MBA ’22, shares her learnings and insights on the importance of future business leaders understanding policymaking in an international context.

Can deeper relationships between Canada and the U.S. help tackle global challenges like misinformation and climate change? This is what Gurveer Bains, MBA ’22, dove into during the 9-week CanStudyUS Fellowship; a program, run by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Leadership Lab which provides students and young professionals insights into U.S. policymaking and politics.

“It is crucial that future business leaders understand policy and policymaking across international arenas,” said Bains. “We have witnessed first-hand the global reach of COVID-19 and the impacts of climate change and cybersecurity. Future business leaders must understand their responsibility to global concerns.”

In the first four weeks, the fellowship focused on policy education and leadership. Fellows learned about the systems of power in Washington, D.C. and how to lead a movement. Encouraged to think like leaders, they identified ways they could make change in their own communities.

Screenshot of a video call featuring a diverse group of CanStudyUS Fellows engaged in discussion.

Bains was surprised to learn about the adaptability of policymaking.

“Traditional policy is seen as being quite rigid. However, as we witnessed the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surprising factor of speed. Policy education and changes were quick to respond to public health measures during this time.”

In the second half of the program, fellows heard from American leaders in key areas, and used insights from the leadership development workshops to discuss big topics. Themes covered in these discussions included: Cybersecurity, Technology and Misinformation; Indigenous Advocacy and Decolonizing Public Policy; and Climate Change, Justice and the Build Back Better Act.

Honouree Deepa Mehta speaks to a crowd, displayed on a large screen at the 34th Annual Testimonial Dinner and Awards.

“Challenges such as addressing climate change and misinformation were discussed within a global context. There were similarities across public policy in both countries to address these challenges. For example, both Canada and the U.S., as well as our global community, must come to a consensus on addressing climate change. We have been seeing the effects of climate change across the globe and it is crucial we act on this immediately and collectively,” says Bains.

Five professionals in business attire gather at the Canadian Club Toronto event, featuring Honouree Victor Fedeli.

For Bains, the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and thoughts shared by participants allowed her to come away from the fellowship with a deeper understanding of the policymaking process. This unique learning experience allowed her to develop her understanding of global challenges as she builds her career in finance, technology, and healthcare.

“I strongly believe that future business leaders must understand policies, problems, and issues from this diversity of perspectives to attain and sustain a competitive advantage and make meaningful change as leaders.”

Tags:   BUSINESS LEADERS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING GURVEER BAINS MBA

Related Stories

Ambition lives here: Reshaping the future of finance at DeGroote
July 30, 2025 · STUDENT CLUB

Ambition lives here: Reshaping the future of finance at DeGroote

Breaking financial barriers: New learning hub explores solutions to address financial exclusion
July 25, 2025 · MCCD · SOCIETAL IMPACT · STRATEGIC PLAN | ENGAGING COMMUNITIES

Breaking financial barriers: New learning hub explores solutions to address financial exclusion

GRIT Week 2025: The DeGroote Impact Film Festival
July 25, 2025 · SOCIETAL IMPACT · STRATEGIC PLAN | TEACHING AND LEARNING · STUDENT

GRIT Week 2025: The DeGroote Impact Film Festival

Youth entrepreneurship in action
July 23, 2025 · MCCD

Youth entrepreneurship in action

A mother-daughter moment at graduation
July 21, 2025 · ALUMNI

A mother-daughter moment at graduation

Whelen Fellowship connects grad students with McMaster startups to drive real-world impact
June 27, 2025 · ALUMNI · DEVELOPMENT

Whelen Fellowship connects grad students with McMaster startups to drive real-world impact

Leading with joy, bold authenticity and compassionate leadership 
June 23, 2025 · ALUMNI · STRATEGIC PLAN | INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE · STUDENT CLUB

Leading with joy, bold authenticity and compassionate leadership 

From scrubs to strategy: My journey through nursing and the DeGroote MBA 
June 18, 2025 · STRATEGIC PLAN | TEACHING AND LEARNING · STUDENT

From scrubs to strategy: My journey through nursing and the DeGroote MBA 

Behind the construction: A peek inside the McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery
May 28, 2025 · DEVELOPMENT · GIVE · STRATEGIC PLAN | TEACHING AND LEARNING · STUDENT · MCCD

Behind the construction: A peek inside the McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery

‘In the city’s talent pipeline, students play a really critical role’
May 7, 2025 · STUDENT · STRATEGIC PLAN | INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

‘In the city’s talent pipeline, students play a really critical role’

From classroom to career: The lasting impact of work-integrated learning 
March 26, 2025 · STUDENT

From classroom to career: The lasting impact of work-integrated learning 

GRIT Week 2025: MBA students drive real-world impact 
March 12, 2025 · STUDENT · STRATEGIC PLAN | TEACHING AND LEARNING · SOCIETAL IMPACT

GRIT Week 2025: MBA students drive real-world impact 

GRIT Week: Community Videos
February 28, 2025 · STUDENT

GRIT Week: Community Videos

From challenge to confidence: How DeGroote students transformed under pressure
February 24, 2025 · STUDENT · STRATEGIC PLAN | TEACHING AND LEARNING

From challenge to confidence: How DeGroote students transformed under pressure

The future of healthcare: Mike Heenan on trends and disruptions
January 22, 2025 · STRATEGIC PLAN | ENGAGING COMMUNITIES · ALUMNI · HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

The future of healthcare: Mike Heenan on trends and disruptions

DeGroote School of Business DeGroote School of Business Logo
DeGroote Instagram logo DeGroote Linkedin logo DeGroote Facebook logo DeGroote YouTube Logo DeGroote TikTok Logo
DeGroote Menu

  • Programs
  • About DeGroote
  • Events
  • Student Resources
  • Staff Resources
  • Alumni Resources
  • Give
  • DeGroote Directory
  • Contact Us
  • Faculty & Research  
Hamilton Campus

DeGroote School of Business
McMaster University

1280 Main Street West

Hamilton, Ontario
L8S 4M4
Burlington Campus

DeGroote School of Business
Ron Joyce Centre

4350 South Service Road

Burlington, Ontario
L7L 5R8
AACSB Logo

McMaster University is committed to providing websites that are accessible to the widest possible audience.  

If you require any content on this website in an alternate format, please contact dsbweb@mcmaster.ca and we will respond promptly.

DeGroote Online Privacy Policy

McMaster Brighter World Logo McMaster University - Brighter World Logo
Contact McMaster McMaster Terms & Conditions McMaster Privacy Policy
Secret Link