Ideas with Impact
UNB Faculty of Management

When Mary Edeh arrived in Canada from Nigeria, she brought with her nearly two decades of professional experience, including over 12 years in senior-level human resources and administration. But she wanted to learn more.

Driven by a desire to enhance her strategic leadership skills and transition into the Canadian professional landscape, Mary chose the University of New Brunswick’s MBA program, and it proved to be a transformative decision.

“I chose UNB’s faculty of management because of its reputation for academic excellence and its supportive, inclusive community,” Mary explains. “It offered the perfect platform to build strategic leadership capacity and integrate into the Canadian workforce.”

Today, Mary is putting her skills to work as a Negotiator with the Department of Indigenous Affairs for the Province of New Brunswick. In this pivotal role, she leads and coordinates negotiations with First Nations on a wide range of issues.

Her day-to-day responsibilities are as complex as they are impactful: preparing formal documents, advising senior management, conducting specialized subject matter and policy research, and most importantly, building respectful, trust-based relationships that advance reconciliation efforts across the province.

Mary credits the MBA program with equipping her for this work. “The program sharpened my strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills,” she says. “Courses in Strategic Management, Leadership, and Human Resources gave me the tools to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Group projects and presentations helped me become a more effective communicator, an essential skill in negotiation.”

One of the highlights of her MBA experience was the diversity of the cohort and the collaborative learning environment. “The faculty created space for real-world discussions, and the community engagement and networking events enriched my learning beyond the classroom,” she recalls.

Mary’s story is a testament to the power of education to transform lives and communities. Her journey shows how programs like UNB’s MBA can empower internationally experienced professionals to make meaningful contributions in new environments.

Her advice to future students? “Be proactive. Build relationships with faculty and peers. Seek opportunities outside the classroom. The MBA program at UNB offers as much as you’re willing to invest into it.”

Photo: Since graduating with an MBA from UNB’s Faculty of Management, Mary Edeh has been working as a Negotiator with the New Brunswick Department of Indigenous Affairs.

Learn more about UNB’s Faculty of Management and the MBA program.

Media contact:
Liz Lemon-Mitchell
Lizabeth.Lemonmitchell@unb.ca