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Yolande Chan reappointed as Dean of Desautels Faculty of Management

Renewed mandate recognizes Dean Chan’s leadership in advancing experiential learning and online learning, developing international programs, and promoting ethics and sustainability at Desautels.

Professor Yolande E. Chan has been reappointed as Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Management for a second five-year term, effective July 1, 2026.

Since arriving at 51Թin 2021, Dean Chan has enhanced Desautels’ international profile by advancing research excellence, enriching teaching, and expanding academic offerings. “Dean Chan has consistently shown wise and dependable leadership at the Desautels Faculty of Management, strengthening our commitment to ethics, innovation, and global engagement,” said Provost Christopher Manfredi. “I am eager to see the impact of her ongoing efforts in her second term.”

During her first term, she spearheaded initiatives that expanded the Faculty’s impact. She secured major gifts that enabled the creation of the Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity and the Sustainable Growth Initiative, and advanced healthcare. Other gifts advanced the student experience, wellness, and fellowships. Her efforts to engage alumni globally strengthened McGill’s network and deepened ties with key donors and partners.

Under her leadership, Desautels maintained its EQUIS accreditation and improved its standing in international rankings. Specialized programs such as the Master of Management in Analytics and the Master of Management in Finance, in particular, lead in employability and alumni outcomes.

Dean Chan also introduced the Desautels Strategic Framework 2025-2030, anchored in priorities of ethics and equity, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and managing technological disruption. She oversaw the launch of innovative programs, including the Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) Online, the Master of Management in Finance (MMF) Luxembourg, and the MBA China for Executives program. She redesigned the BCom curriculum to strengthen experiential learning including internships, case competitions and undergraduate research opportunities. Executive education offerings were expanded through the 51ԹExecutive Institute, reinforcing Desautels’ role as a hub for lifelong learning.

Her commitment to equity and sustainability has been equally impactful—Desautels advanced initiatives to foster diversity and inclusion across all areas of its operations and became the first 51ԹFaculty to achieve Gold-level Sustainable Workplace Certification.

Looking ahead, Dean Chan plans to build on this strong foundation: “I am honoured to continue serving the Desautels community. Over the next five years, we will expand our academic programs in areas such as entrepreneurship, sustainability and artificial intelligence, strengthen our research impact through interdisciplinary collaborations, and deepen alumni engagement worldwide. Together, we will ensure that Desautels remains a global leader in management education—preparing future-ready leaders who drive innovation, sustainability, and positive societal change.”


Dean Yolande E Chan

Dr. Yolande E. Chan

Dean of 51ԹDesautels
Faculty of Management

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