From Arts degree to UBC Sauder MBA: Expanding horizons for a global career
Shafiq Vallani first pursued a UBC Bachelor of Arts degree to broaden his perspective and sharpen skills in critical thinking and communication. He later completed the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Robert H. Lee Graduate School, UBC Sauder School of Business, where he gained the advanced training to accelerate his career beyond banking and private equity.
Today, Vallani is Head of Canada at Redesign Health in Toronto, where he leads the Canadian expansion of their early-stage fund model to bring innovation into Canadian healthcare. He describes his career as dynamic and rewarding, rooted in his UBC experience.
“I chose UBC for its strong reputation, stunning campus and because it allowed me to balance my personal independence while remaining close to my family,” he said. “It offered world-class academics alongside the mountains and ocean, which let me pursue my love of winter sports while studying.”
Vallani studied at UBC’s Department of Political Science with the intention of entering a career in law. He followed that path, which exposed him to global financial markets, governance and a wide range of topics.
After completing his Arts degree, Vallani began his career in banking before moving into private equity.
“Going into business school with my Arts degree allowed me to absorb large volumes of information and write compelling arguments that integrate cultural and societal factors into how we understand business,” said Vallani.
Over time, Vallani realized he wanted formal business education to accelerate his career, which led him to UBC Sauder.
“I wanted broader management skills that would allow me to contribute at the same level as the executives that I was often sitting across from,” he said. “The UBC MBA sharpened my strategic thinking, expanded my network and gave me the confidence to take on leadership roles across industries.”
After completing the UBC MBA, he transitioned into various roles, from management consulting and advising Fortune 500 companies to venture capital at RBC Ventures and TELUS Global Ventures.
Vallani credits the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre and the alumni network with shaping his post-MBA path, and points to professors and alumni who remain influential throughout his journey for pushing him to think differently.
That foundation gave him the confidence to launch his own business, Gryphon Sports Management. Vallani considers this entrepreneurial endeavour one of his career’s most challenging, yet most rewarding experiences.
“This experience has given me first-hand insight into entrepreneurship while building my finance career: the resilience it demands, the responsibility of representing others’ careers and the fulfillment of building something lasting,” he said. “It’s a perspective that continues to shape how I lead.”
His experience at UBC Sauder not only laid the groundwork for career advancement but also created unforgettable memories.
Vallani recalls competing at the MBA Games, going on exchange to France, representing UBC Sauder at the Harvard hockey tournament, celebrating at the MBA Galas and taking weekend ski trips with classmates.
“I made lifelong friends who continue to be part of my personal and professional journey,” he reflected, “The moments inside and outside the classroom blended learning, camaraderie and fun. They remain some of the true highlights of my MBA experience.”
Now based in Toronto, Vallani continues to stay connected with his alma mater, serving as a local Alumni Ambassador.
To students considering the UBC MBA, his advice is to dive in headfirst and take advantage of opportunities at UBC Sauder.
“The UBC MBA is so much more than lectures and textbooks — it’s case competitions, ski trips, late-night study sessions, and friendships that last a lifetime. The more you put in at UBC Sauder, the more you’ll get out of it,” said Vallani. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s an experience I truly missed once it was over.”