This March, the Ivey Fintech Club hosted its annual Consulting Program Wrap-Up event: an opportunity to reflect on a year of dedication, growth, and impact. Project Leads and Analysts shared insights into the fintech challenges they tackled for clients across personal finance, payments, and digital lending. From market analysis to product operations and financial modeling, students applied their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, gaining hands-on experience through pro-bono consulting engagements.
The program pairs students with fintech companies to solve real business problems, offering practical experience without the pressure of the traditional job search. Over the course of several months, our members developed critical industry skills while contributing meaningful solutions to their client partners. The wrap-up event served not only as a celebration of accomplishments but also as a moment of gratitude for the mentorship and collaboration that shaped this journey.
One of the highlights of the day was a keynote by Scott Williamson, Product Manager at FreshBooks. His unconventional path, beginning with a fine arts degree and a job at a picture frame shop, offered a refreshing perspective on entering the fintech space.
"People think they need a specific background to get into fintech — but it’s not about checking boxes, it’s about how you frame your story," said Williamson. “My frame shop job taught me just as much about product thinking as any degree ever could.”
His message resonated deeply with attendees, particularly those concerned that their early university studies, often in fields like psychology, engineering, or the arts, might limit their future opportunities in business or tech. Through stories shared by both Williamson and Zohaib Adnan, Product Manager at Robinhood and fellow speaker, students were encouraged to reframe their experiences and recognize the value of curiosity, adaptability, and transferable skills.
Following the formal presentations, the event continued with informal networking. Students connected directly with the guest speakers and fellow peers, exchanging advice, insights, and inspiration. This year’s event was especially meaningful, as both speakers were Ivey alumni and past clients of the Consulting Program, demonstrating the full-circle impact of the initiative.
Several Analysts have already secured exciting roles, including positions at American Express and Super.com: a firm that partnered with the program this year. These outcomes reflect the mission of Ivey Fintech’s Pro-Bono Consulting Program: to build a talent pipeline that opens doors for students and fosters long-term engagement through alumni mentorship and industry connections.
The friendships, insights, and confidence built through this year’s program will carry forward into future initiatives. With client partnerships strengthened, student perspectives broadened, and a community deeply invested in each other’s success, the Ivey Fintech Club is proud of what this cohort has achieved, and excited for next year’s iteration of the program.
The Ivey FinTech Club gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Scotiabank Digital Banking Lab, whose contributions made this event possible.