Rawaiz Sheikh, MBA ’25, Ivey Business School (Canada), was born in Pakistan and spent most of his life growing up in Qatar, where an early curiosity for how things work – from taking apart RC cars to becoming the family’s go-to fixer – set the course for his career. That curiosity led him to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield in the UK, after which he returned to Qatar to help grow businesses across the infrastructure, utilities, energy, and industrial sectors.
Rawaiz now lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter, where he works as a Senior Associate at Partners in Performance. Across his career – from building an industry-leading business in Qatar to supporting strategic decisions in aerospace to solving complex challenges for consulting clients – he has been driven by one consistent goal: leaving organisations better than he found them. His MBA at Ivey gave him the business perspective, confidence, and network to pursue that mission on a global stage.
What led you to your career, and how has it evolved over time?
Early in my career, I was motivated by wanting to give back to my parents and spend time with them while they were living in Qatar. A few years in, I realised that if I wanted to make a bigger impact, I needed to understand more than just the technical side of a business. I became increasingly interested in what drives growth, how organisations make decisions, and how leaders create lasting change. That led me toward management, consulting, and ultimately an MBA at Ivey. Today, I still solve problems every day, but instead of improving machines, I’m helping to improve businesses.
Who inspired you?
My father. He taught me the value of hard work, integrity, and treating every business as if it were my own. He always believed that people are the foundation of any successful organisation and that making a genuine impact starts by investing in those around you. Those principles have guided every stage of my career.
How did Ivey play a role?
Ivey transformed my career in three ways.
First, the case method immersed me in real business challenges. Learning from actual companies and leaders made every lesson practical and memorable.
Second, the network opened doors I couldn’t have imagined. From making my first connection with PAL Aerospace at the MBA Get Connected event to receiving support from Ivey alumni throughout my recruitment process at Partners in Performance, the Ivey community has played a meaningful role in my journey.
Finally, the MBA challenged me to grow. The programme pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me become a more confident leader, a stronger communicator, and someone better equipped to create meaningful impact.
What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
When I joined Master Builders Solution (known locally as Gulf Additive Factory), we had an opportunity to establish ourselves in the highly competitive energy and industrial market. Over the following years, I helped develop the strategy and drive business growth across these sectors by building relationships with key clients, leading complex projects, and growing a high-performing team. Together, we positioned the company as a market leader in the energy sector and built a reputation for delivering results on some of the country’s most demanding projects. Seeing that work contributed to the company’s acquisition was incredibly rewarding because it reflected years of teamwork, trust, and creating long-term value.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Spending meaningful time with family is at the top of the list. I also enjoy calisthenics training, pretending I can still play basketball as well as I did during my varsity days, cooking, travelling, and exploring new restaurants. I’m also passionate about mentoring and making a difference where I can.
What is your favourite memory from your time at Ivey?
The 24-hour reports make up some of my favourite memories. They were intense, fast-paced, and challenging, but they also created friendships that have lasted well beyond graduation.
Are you still connected to the school in any way?
I stay connected with classmates and fellow alumni, keep in touch with new leaders of the International Business Club, and attend events like Get Connected. The Ivey community continues to be an important part of my journey, and I look forward to giving back and playing a part in someone else’s story.
