Meet our Alumni: Liana Murray reflects on the birth of Sprosh Week
Liana Caruso Murray graduated from Sprott in 2009 with a degree in Commerce and minor in math. While at Carleton, Liana was the Orientation Developer and Coordinator with the Sprott Business Students Society. In this role, she proposed and created the “orientation coordinator” position for the first annual Sprott Orientation- “Sprosh” Week. Following graduation, Liana began working as a Strategy and Operations consultant at IBM, moving onto RCGT Consulting Inc in Advisory Services and Change Management. Afterward, she landed an opportunity with the Bank of Canada as an Organizational Change Management Consultant as she continues to learn and grow in the industry. Liana has continued her passion for volunteerism and is currently the Programs Co-chair for the Special Olympics Ontario greater Ottawa Community Board.
Name:
Liana Caruso Murray
Graduating Year:
2009
Degree/Concentration:
Bachelor of Commerce, minor in Math
Why did you choose Sprott?
In 2005, Sprott was still a new business school with lots of opportunities for growth and change. I wanted to be a part of the journey of growing Sprott into the amazing business school it is today.
What path did you follow after Sprott?
I started as a consultant in Toronto, at IBM (Strategy and Operations). Once I understood the consulting world I moved to a smaller firm in Ottawa, RCGT Consulting Inc. (Advisory Services – Change Management). This change reenergized my love for participating in a growth journey. From there I followed an opportunity with the Bank of Canada as an Organizational Change Management Consultant (internal consulting); this current opportunity allows me to focus in on growing my organizational change management skills, which is the area of consulting that I enjoy the most. I am also part of a new team within the Bank, allowing me to be a part of another growth journey! I am also currently the Programs Co-chair for the Special Olympics Ontario greater Ottawa community board.
A standout memory or game-changing experience from your time at Sprott?
1 word. SPROSH.
In 2008, I had a vision: A specific orientation week for the Sprott business students at Carleton. A variety of models had taken place throughout the history of Carleton, but in 2008 Sprott students were transitioning into their new university experience without an opportunity to meet and get to know their future classmates and faculty (A.K.A without Sprosh #GASP).
Together with several other students, along with some very key Sprott staff members, SPROSH was born. In its first year (2009) we had over 200 registered new students, more than 100 volunteers willing to join in the first CRAZY journey, and we raised over $10,000 for charity (Special Olympics Ontario, Greater Ottawa).
I will never forget that experience. Every time I am back at Sprott, I hear about the current or upcoming Sprosh season and it makes my heart smile.
Biggest take away from Sprott?
Your network is your net-worth.
I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support, encouragement, and constant advice from my peers, professors, administration, and mentors. The relationships I created during my short 4.5 years at the Sprott School of Business will continue to stay with me as my journey in the “real world” continues.
These relationships are the reason why I continue to participate in alumni activities years after graduation. I hope to one day have a similar impact on a student at Sprott, as some of my dearest mentors have had on me.
Advice you would give to future Sprott students?
1. Don’t be afraid to try.
2. Meet someone new every day.
3. Thoughts in three are the key to any presentation.
Other reflections or messages of thanks to share with the Sprott Community?
Julie Caldwell, A.K.A. Sprott Mom: Without you, many students would not have been able to get through the wild university life of academics, extracurricular, work, and relationships. You taught me how to listen and believe in myself.
Professor Jacques Maurice: For convincing me to drop out of Accounting. One of the best decisions I ever made.
Dean Jerry Tomberlin: Your first day, was my first day as President of SBSS. All of the ideas and changes my group wanted to make in the Sprott community could not have happened without your support. You were the Change Sponsor (#ChangeManagementLingo) we needed! Without you, the Sprott community would not be as wonderful as it is today.