Abhay Chawla is a Senior Manager in the Strategy Practice at Bain & Company in New York. He brings a decade of global consulting experience across India, Canada, and the US, with deep expertise in corporate strategy, private equity due diligence, and stakeholder value creation, particularly in financial services. He holds an MBA from Ivey Business School (Canada) and a Bachelor’s in Business Studies from the University of Delhi. Outside work, Abhay loves to travel and has a new-found passion for pickleball.
You had a Bachelor’s degree and were also pursuing a CFA qualification. At what stage of your career did you decide to study for an MBA degree, and why?
After a few years at Bain in India, I found myself craving more international and diverse exposure. I was also at a point where I wanted to explore other sectors and corporate roles.
I chose the MBA because it's one of the most versatile degrees for anyone aspiring to business leadership. It provides a well-rounded foundation—from finance and strategy to communication and marketing—and is widely respected across industries and geographies. For me, a global MBA was the perfect platform to pause, reflect, and intentionally reset my career trajectory while growing both personally and professionally.
What was your career trajectory before and after your MBA?
Before the MBA, I was based in India, supporting consulting case teams on a variety of projects across sectors. After my Ivey MBA, I transitioned into client-facing roles with Bain in Canada and later moved to the US. The scope of my work expanded significantly: I began leading client engagements, managing teams, and contributing to Bain’s internal strategy efforts. The MBA equipped me with the tools and confidence to step into leadership roles and accelerate my growth as a manager.
How did you choose your study destination and business school?
For me, the decision making was top-down. I started by choosing the country first. Canada stood out as a clear winner, owing to its open and diverse society, great quality of life, strong job market, and being a country that truly welcomes global talent.
Once I landed on Canada, Ivey quickly rose to the top. What stood out for me was its strong brand reputation, one-year format, and smaller class size. The smaller cohort created a tight-knit environment where you genuinely got to know each other, formed deep connections, and built friendships that still continue today.
Did the programme have a special focus or electives on Finance, Consulting or other areas you were particularly interested in?
Absolutely. Ivey’s curriculum began with a strong general management foundation, but we had the flexibility to tailor our experience through electives later on. I naturally gravitated towards finance and strategy courses, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed classes like communications, negotiations, and marketing. The professors were outstanding, and the real-world focus made every session engaging. What I appreciated most was the ability to truly chart your own path. For me, it ended up being a diverse and enriching mix.
How did your career goals shape during your MBA studies?
I came in with an open mind. Consulting was my default path, but I wanted to explore marketing and finance as well. Through Ivey’s events like “Get Connected,” student clubs, alumni interactions, and 1:1 mentorship from the Career Management team, I had the chance to test each path in a meaningful way. The MBA gave me the space and structure to validate my interests—and ultimately led me back to consulting, as I realised I wanted to work across a range of business problems and consulting felt like the best fit for that breadth.
What are the top three benefits of choosing a business school in Canada?
- An inclusive, welcoming society – You feel at home almost immediately.
- Global career access – Top global firms actively recruit from Canadian schools.
- Cost of education – It’s generally more accessible and affordable compared with many top programmes in the US or Europe, both in terms of tuition and overall living expenses.
Did you experience any cultural differences and what helped you settle and make the most of your MBA in Canada?
Yes, I did, mostly around communication styles, customs, and even sports. One small but important shift was the stronger culture of small talk in professional settings. In Canada, it’s natural to start conversations with a bit of friendly chat before getting down to business. Coming from a more direct work environment, it was a new (and useful) habit to build, and a great way to connect with people.
What really helped me settle was the social fabric at Ivey. The inclusive environment made it easy to ask questions, learn from others, and feel supported. Many of my classmates introduced me to their cultures, taught me new things, and made me feel part of the community from day one.
How did the MBA and Ivey boost your personal and career growth?
Personally, it gave me a smooth landing in a new country. The close-knit cohort and strong sense of community helped me build friendships and feel at home quickly. I got to experience so many new things, from watching my first ice hockey game to learning golf at a classmate’s “Golf Learning Day”! Those moments made the experience truly fun and immersive.
Professionally, I came out more confident. Ivey’s strong brand opened doors to top companies and exposed me to a wide range of career paths. I spoke to many organisations, explored various industries, and gained valuable perspective. The programme also helped me navigate the North American job market, build strong networks, and approach recruiting strategically—very different from the structured placement process I was used to in India.
How diverse was your MBA class and the Ivey campus? How did this affect you?
Incredibly diverse, across nationalities, cultures, and professional backgrounds. From engineers and marketing professionals to lawyers, entrepreneurs, and beyond—every person brought something unique to the table. The variety of cultures and perspectives made every interaction richer. That exposure helped build my cultural intelligence, which is now essential in leading global teams and working with international clients.
How do you measure the Return on Investment (ROI) from your MBA?
There’s the obvious financial ROI—it accelerated my path to leadership at Bain—,but the intangible ROI is equally powerful: confidence, global perspective, lifelong friendships, and an upgraded toolkit for solving complex problems. It’s a career catalyst and a personal transformation.
You moved to New York after your MBA graduation. How different is your US experience from that in Canada?
Canada felt more community-oriented; there’s a warmth that’s hard to describe. The US, especially New York, is more intense and fast-paced, but full of opportunity. Moving here helped me tap into larger client ecosystems, especially in financial services and tech. The MBA prepared me for that transition, both professionally and culturally.
Can an MBA degree take you anywhere in the world career-wise?
Absolutely. I saw classmates come from all kinds of backgrounds and end up across every continent—in tech, consulting, startups, and beyond. It’s not just a degree: it’s a launchpad. The network, the learning, and the confidence you gain make you ready for business prime-time.
What should be the top three factors for selecting an MBA study destination? What is your advice to prospective MBA applicants?
My top three:
- ROI – Weigh the full cost—tuition, living expenses, and time away from work—against the career outcomes and doors it’s likely to open.
- Post-study work opportunities – Especially for international students, choose a destination that supports global talent and offers a clear path to stay and work.
- School brand and community – A strong brand opens doors, but the right cultural fit and peer group will shape your experience just as much.
Final advice: Talk to alumni, attend events, and reflect on what you want from this journey. An MBA will accelerate your career, but just as importantly, it will broaden your perspective, expand your network, and shape who you become. Treat it as a life experience, not just a credential.
