From student to mentor: How UBC Sauder’s LIFT program helped Emily achieve her career dream of working at KPMG East Africa
When Emily first heard about UBC Sauder’s LIFT program during her third year at the Technical University of Kenya, she had no idea it would change her life. At the time, she was already running a small business with a partner and looking for ways to strengthen her entrepreneurial skills. After learning about LIFT through One Girl Can, she applied and joined the Fall 2021 cohort—a decision she now describes as one of the best she’s ever made.
LIFT is an entrepreneurship training program open to UBC Sauder BCom and MBA students, delivered to communities in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. It challenges UBC Sauder students to apply business concepts they’ve learned by teaching in a classroom of aspiring entrepreneurs. Students deliver a series of lessons on business fundamental tools through the year virtually, and in-person to empower local entrepreneurs to start and grow their own businesses for economic betterment.
“The program exceeded all my expectations,” Emily recalls. “From the moment I joined, I found the program to be exciting, interactive and incredibly impactful.”
Gaining business and leadership skills
Throughout the program, Emily found herself drawn to topics like points of difference, value proposition, and finance.
“I really love numbers, and these topics made me think deeply about what sets a business apart,” she says. But beyond technical knowledge, she gained invaluable soft skills—confidence, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.
“The first letter of LIFT stands for leadership,” Emily notes. “I am a completely different person from who I was in 2021 before joining LIFT. I’ve grown so much.”
Collaborating with UBC Sauder students
One of the highlights of the LIFT experience was coming back to work alongside students from UBC Sauder as a trainer.
“It was incredibly fulfilling to bridge the gap between UBC Sauder students and LIFT participants,” Emily says. “Firsthand, I noticed increased participant engagement, enhanced learning experiences and the creation of lasting connections and success stories from participants.”
"Emily was such a great liaison every day. Anytime I needed relevant business concepts or personable examples, she would jump in without hesitation to fill those gaps. At the start, there was some skepticism from the students—they weren’t sure what to expect from the curriculum,” says UBC BCom student and LIFT member, Alex DelCorro. “But Emily played a key role in building trust and creating strong relationships. She found creative ways to bridge the gap, whether it was choosing familiar songs or incorporating games that celebrated their culture. Through working with her, I saw firsthand how important it is to meet people where they are and create connections that make learning more engaging and meaningful."
Overcoming self-doubt
Despite her many achievements, Emily—like many other students—faced moments of self-doubt during the KPMG hiring process.
“As an introvert, I tend to second-guess myself,” she admits. “But receiving feedback from UBC Sauder LIFT students and mentors pushed me to keep going. I’ve learned to believe in myself, and that has made all the difference.”
Mentorship and securing a role at KPMG
Emily credits the mentorship she received through LIFT for helping her land a competitive role at KPMG East Africa.
“The recruitment process was long and intense but I was surrounded by mentors, family, and friends who supported me every step of the way,” she shares. “UBC Sauder students helped me prepare for interviews with mock sessions, encouragement, and tips. Having them believe in me was something I truly appreciated.”
Now working in Enterprise Risk Services, Emily finds herself in a workplace that feels like home. “The support system at KPMG is incredible. My managers and colleagues are so welcoming, and I genuinely enjoy my role.”
"Emily joined KPMG in January 2025 as an Enterprise Risk Services associate. She has demonstrated strong eagerness to learn, and her enthusiasm has only grown over time she has been with us,” says Faith Maina, Senior Manager of Governance, Risk and Compliance Services at KPMG East Africa. “Her commitment to excellence is evident in every task she undertakes. She approaches her assignments with diligence, ensuring high-quality outcomes and consistently striving for improvement. She actively seeks guidance from colleagues and, in a short period, has acquired a wealth of knowledge. Her dedication, willingness to learn, and collaborative spirit make her a valuable asset to the team. We feel very privileged to have Emily in our team.”
Forging lifelong friendships
For the UBC Sauder students who worked with Emily, the experience was equally transformative.
Alex shared, “you don’t realize how close you become with the participants until you’re there. They become like family. We all wanted to go back to visit because we formed such strong bonds.”
They also witnessed firsthand how Emily’s confidence grew.
“She was an incredible trainer—dedicated, hardworking, and a great friend to us all,” says Alex. “When we met her, she already had a business, and it was clear she was destined for success.”
“No matter how much you learn about business skills in the classroom, seeing the way they work in real life and teaching the material was such a different learning experience altogether,” says BCom student, Cecilia Lee. “To have built relationships with both UBC Sauder LIFT members and LIFT trainers and students like the one I’ve built with Emily has been incredibly rewarding.”
Making a lasting impact
Emily’s story is just one example of how LIFT is about more than just business tools—it’s about personal and professional growth. To future participants, she offers this advice: “Be willing to step out of your comfort zone. LIFT will change your life if you let it.”
“The people I’ve met along the way have been my greatest gift. LIFT has celebrated me from my smallest achievements to my biggest milestones. I’ll carry that support with me always.”