Building a culture where learning and community can thrive
UBC Sauder’s Ani Hosepyan and her team launched "U Day" to bridge the gap between teaching, learning and professional development
UBC Sauder’s Ani Hosepyan and her team launched "U Day" to bridge the gap between teaching, learning and professional development
Earlier this year, we asked our faculty and staff to tell us who among them were leading the way in generating positive change at the university. This is part two in a five-part series recognizing their efforts.
Over the course of her career and particularly the last eight years at the UBC Sauder School of Business, Ani Hosepyan, Assistant Dean of People and Organizational Development, has been an ardent advocate of continuous learning and professional development. Despite this, a persistent disconnect gnawed at her, which inspired her to envision something innovative, daring and different. With the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence and automation, Ani recognized it was necessary to invest in people more than ever. According to her, it is essential to continue to grow and strengthen their skills in the areas of innovation and creativity, which contributes to building a culture that is resilient, solutions-focused and embraces change to drive UBC forward.
“At UBC Sauder, we pride ourselves in providing high-quality education and training programs to students, organizations, and leaders across Canada and globally,” says Ani. “And although we were sharing our expertise and knowledge with a largely external audience and creating impactful experiences for them, I realized that there were so many untapped opportunities for our employees to gain from the knowledge and expertise available from our outstanding faculty members, alumni and partners.”
Determined to bridge this gap, Ani conceptualized and proposed an ambitious pilot initiative in 2019 – a full-day conference dedicated to learning for UBC Sauder employees, away from their desks and day-to-day work. Unfortunately, the pandemic delayed the inaugural event named “U Day,” but it was finally brought to life in spring 2023 at UBC Vancouver. Faculty members and partners, including distinguished alumni and expert course instructors, as well as individuals from UBC Sauder's Executive Education and Continuing Business Studies, were invited to lead conference-style sessions for everyone.
What made this initiative stand out was Ani’s vision of finding a way to meet the ongoing challenges of budget and time constraints to create a conference that would be accessible to all UBC Sauder employees. A post-event feedback survey revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback from the attendees.
“A dedicated day of learning proved to be an excellent way to bring everyone together under one roof, something which is extremely relevant in times of hybrid work."
Ani Hosepyan, Assistant Dean of People and Organizational Development, UBC Sauder School of Business
“Our first event was a tremendous success, and that’s when we knew we had to make this an annual initiative. A dedicated day of learning proved to be an excellent way to bring everyone together under one roof, something which is extremely relevant in times of hybrid work,” says Ani.
The inaugural session provided Ani and her People and Organizational Development team with valuable insights, revealing how much they enjoyed the event, their eagerness to attend similar conferences, and a strong interest in exploring something new for the following year. According to Ani, one of the aspects her colleagues appreciated the most was the chance to interact with each other – people that they otherwise wouldn’t have had a chance to collaborate with and meet. For instance, participating in a breakout group activity with UBC Sauder’s Dean, Darren Dahl, and other senior leaders and colleagues in different departments was a fresh experience.
Building on last year’s experiences, the second annual U Day event was held at UBC Robson Square earlier this year, adopting a more structured and engaging format to provide a refreshing change of environment and program. To generate interest and encourage participation, it was crucial to select a theme that would resonate widely with everyone. After careful consideration, Ani and her team chose the theme, 'Agile Minds, Agile Workplace: Adapting to Change' because of the growing relevance of this subject and widespread interest at UBC and beyond.
The event was meticulously planned, with keynotes and various breakout sessions presented by diverse speakers and opportunities for cross-team interaction and relationship building throughout the day. The sessions spanned a wide array of topics – from leadership and change agility to artificial intelligence and presentation design – ensuring a breadth of appeal and interest among the attendees. To offer flexibility, attendees could choose two out of four breakout sessions over the course of the day, in addition to attending the keynote presentations, allowing them to focus on the topics that piqued their interest the most.
While organizing the event, Ani and her team wanted to support causes that deeply matter to UBC Sauder. For example, participants were encouraged to use environmentally friendly transportation, such as carpooling, walking, transit and biking, to get to the venue. Of the 230 attendees, 180 chose eco-friendly transit. This demonstrated UBC Sauder's strong commitment to sustainability while supporting the professional development of those involved.
Key highlights of the feedback received this year included the event's exceptional organization, seamless execution, and engaging sessions, which provided valuable opportunities for socializing and learning. The attendees praised the team's efforts and expressed enthusiasm for future events.
The sessions were also commended for their insightful content, expert speakers, and engaging format, giving everyone fresh perspectives and practical approaches to work. One of the keynote speakers emphasized the importance and impact of mentorship programs, aligning with UBC Sauder’s mentorship program that Ani and her team launched in 2023. Following the event, enrollment in the mentorship program grew by 40%, demonstrating how U Day continues to influence UBC Sauder’s culture beyond the day of the event.
Seeing the positive impact and success of the event over the past two years, Ani is enthusiastic about exploring newer and bigger opportunities in the future. She is willing to support other Faculties and units that may be interested in hosting similar professional development events for their teams or exploring the option of transitioning some sessions online to reach a wider audience across the university.
"There are so many untapped opportunities for our employees to gain from the knowledge and expertise available from our outstanding faculty members, alumni and partners."
Ani Hosepyan, Assistant Dean of People and Organizational Development, UBC Sauder School of Business
Reflecting on U Day, Ani feels a deep sense of accomplishment and gratitude, in particular to her team that worked relentlessly to organize and execute the event. It has been and will continue to be a team effort, with volunteers, faculty, and partners all playing crucial roles as the event evolves. The support from leadership has been vital, and the alignment with UBC Sauder’s vision and strategic plan made the event feel even more impactful. Now, Ani is already thinking about next year’s event, focusing on what truly matters: continuing to build a culture where learning and community thrive.
Written by Aditi Ghosh, UBC Internal Communications
Interviewed in July 2024
Catch a glimpse of U Day 2024, held at UBC Robson Square earlier this year.
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