Gaby Bourbara
Full-time with Co-op
McMaster University (Bachelor of Kinesiology; Bachelor of Arts, Economics)
Country President Canada,
AstraZeneca
Class of 2003
A good leader is a great listener. No one person can successfully run a business or reimagine a healthcare system.”
Valuing Diverse Work Experiences
With a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics under his belt, Gaby Bourbara decided it was time to pursue his MBA. The multiple work terms in DeGroote’s Full-Time MBA with Co-op allowed him to pursue two very different sectors, manufacturing and healthcare, to ultimately find his passion in healthcare.
Understanding the motivations behind the direction of his career, Gaby focused on learning different areas of healthcare through roles in sales, marketing, business development and more. He believes this has been vital to his understanding of the biopharmaceutical business – including the culture, external stakeholders and customers.
“It has enabled me to draw on tangible experiences rather than making assumptions. I can connect and build greater credibility and equity with teams because I understand their role and contributions.”
Ambitious Goals for the Healthcare System
This breadth of experience enabled Gaby to think strategically about the growing gaps in the Canadian healthcare system. He believes capacity can be rebuilt in the system by reimagining healthcare delivery to prioritize prevention and meaningful health outcomes.
“Don’t underestimate the day-to-day competencies you are learning in your MBA, such as influencing without authority, or working across diverse teams, as these skills are highly valuable in the corporate world. Learning to navigate complex situations and time pressures will serve you very well throughout your career.”
