Dr. Matthew Jelavic and the Canadian Institute of Management partner with AIB

Dr. Matthew Jelavic is the President and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Management (CIM), Canada’s leading chartered professional management association. To assist with delivering local management insights for our Canadian student community, we’re proud to partner with CIM and welcome Matthew on board as an AIB Industry Guest Lecturer.

The Canadian Institute of Management (also known as CIM Chartered Managers Canada) was founded in 1942 and has provided management development and certification to over 80,000 managers since its inception. It’s a not-for-profit organisation that offers professional designations as well as a comprehensive membership program, and nationally accredits business qualifications, including The Agile MBA from AIB.

In addition to his role with CIM, Matthew is also the President of the Canadian Society of Professional Engineers, Board Director with Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Canada and Board Director with the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. Furthermore, he’s a Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Durham College and Adjunct Associate Professor of Management at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

With a passion for education, Matthew has made learning a lifelong quest, with undergraduate qualifications in mechanical engineering and industrial technology, graduate qualifications in operational research, a master’s degree in management sciences and a doctorate in business administration.

After graduating from his engineering degree, Matthew worked within the engineering industry where he progressed to into management positions, and subsequently, board level positions. In various engineering and management capacities, he worked in water treatment, tunnel boring, plastics extrusion, automotive manufacturing and consulting industries.

With this many strings to his bow and countless professional experiences, we’re delighted that Matthew will be sharing his practical knowledge with AIB’s students in Canada and around the world.

Fittingly, Matthew is guest lecturing in leadership, which he defines as, “The ability to lead in the development of corporate vision and mission and to inspire people within the organisation to move in that direction.”

While getting others to follow you is crucial in a leadership role, it can also be one of a leader’s most challenging undertakings. “To make other people see your vision and your strategy is the most difficult part of being a leader,” says Matthew, who believes that the best way to approach this is through a careful mentorship strategy. In his own professional life, he’s encountered this numerous times but has found collaboration and communication amongst the team to be key to getting that cut through.

Matthew’s career has seen him travel extensively, and through that, he has picked up a deeper understanding of the cultural differences which can apply within a company. Some countries espouse a deeper respect for authority, some are more individualistic, and others display collectivist approaches to their work. Translated into group dynamics, whether on boards or within one’s team, these are insights that can help smooth over personality conflicts to a deeper understanding.

As a board director, Matthew is interested in the issue of good board governance and the interests a board serves. “Is it all about shareholder value? Maximizing profit?” he posed. “Probably not. There are other elements that have to be taken into consideration such as the broader public good, the good of the nation, and the good of the employees.”

In fact, he predicts that boards will see their roles radically expand. “I think moving into the future, the chairman of the board will come into the forefront as somebody who will play a more prominent role in the direction of the organisation, especially from a public perspective,” Matthew shared. He also sees that role as increasingly championing the ethics of an organisation, which will take centre stage in coming years.

Matthew’s comprehensive experience as a leader makes him an invaluable resource for AIB students, and we welcome him aboard.