UBC Reports | Vol. 51 | No. 5 | May 5, 2005

MBA Grad Embraces his Passions

By Brenda Austin

The Sauder School of Business prepares students for the type of intense environment and group projects they will likely face at work, according to Chris McNally, who graduated this year with an MBA. He should know -- the energetic grad now works on one of the most complex urban transportation projects in Canada, the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver (RAV) rapid transit line.

“Courses in strategic management, real estate and finance helped me get a job with a small firm consulting on real estate development for the RAV project,” McNally says.

He was recommended for this by his professors, not only because he came to the MBA program with a degree in environmental/geotechnical engineering, but because he was a dynamic force at the business school. He was class president, and spent much time helping to improve the program and the student experience. He also ran his own business simultaneously with his studies.

Now, he works for consulting firm, Equitas, and is constantly on the move between his office and various proposed RAV project locations.

“I analyze potential station sites from a developer’s point of view, to determine their economic viability as a development site complementary to the station node,” he explains.

In his “spare” time, McNally runs a sports league and event planning company. Until recently, when he merged with a competitor, he did everything himself.

“We arrange sports leagues and events for the 20-35 year-old demographic,” says McNally. “It’s a large part of my life. I love to play in the games and my fiancée is also involved. The emphasis is on the social side.”

“That’s a marriage of who I am -- business and sports,” he says. “My driving force is entrepreneurial -- passionate and positive energy for things I think should be done.”