The BCDI 2030 program officially launched its International Scholars’ Network on May 21, 2025 with a virtual panel discussion on how to build and grow a professional network in Africa.
Held on the margins of the BCDI 2030 Steering Committee meeting in Accra, Ghana, the event brought together some 90 participants, including 25 BCDI 2030 Scholars, five of whom were with the Steering Committee in Accra.
Participants heard from two inspiring panelists — Yvette Michèle Mendoo and Bior Ajak — who shared their career journeys, offered practical strategies for creating meaningful professional networks and gave insights into navigating diverse labour market contexts across the African continent.
The International Scholars’ Network is designed to foster connections and support the professional development of nearly 700 BCDI 2030 Scholars — both during their time in Canada and once they return home.
At the heart of BCDI 2030 is a commitment to empowering Scholars through education and training. The program is designed to help participants build the skills, tools and networks they need to thrive in the labour market in their home countries after their studies in Canada.
A strong professional network is an essential element of any career. It can open doors, create opportunities, expand knowledge and build confidence — all of which contribute to a meaningful and successful career path.
The panelists for this event truly embody the spirit of BCDI 2030. Both originally from Africa, they have studied and worked abroad, then returned to the continent to build impactful careers. They are also actively involved in mentoring others and supporting professional development in their communities.
Yvette Michèle Mendoo is an experienced auditor whose career has taken her to six countries across three continents. She holds a master’s degree in international business from Grenoble École de Management and a master’s degree in auditing from the École de Management de Marne-la-Vallée in France.
Ms. Mendoo has held positions with Deloitte in Luxembourg, Cameroon’s National Social Insurance Fund, Ecobank Cameroon, PricewaterhouseCoopers in both Paris and Montréal.
She now lives in her native Cameroon, where she is Head of Ethics and Compliance for DIAGEO in Cameroon and Nigeria. She is also active in Corporate Women in Leadership, an organization that supports the empowerment and promotion of young women in the workplace.
Bior Ajak was born in South Sudan and completed his primary and secondary education in Kenya. A gifted student, he received a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship to attend McGill University in Montreal, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics.
Mr. Ajak has worked at the Clinton Global Initiative and the Royal Bank of Canada. He is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, where he works for the Mastercard Foundation. He is also involved in mentoring programs that support high school students in Montreal and refugee communities in Kenya.
This panel was a fantastic opportunity for BCDI 2030 Scholars to learn directly from these outstanding professionals who are living proof of the impact that networks — and intentionality — can have on a career.
Some of the insights shared included:
- Don’t fall into the “saviour” trap when you return home; Focus on the problems you can realistically address.
- You are paving the way for others; When you study abroad and come home, you become a role model in your community.
- Volunteering, mentoring and giving back can lead to unexpected opportunities.
- Be intentional with your choices. As M. Ajak said, “Focus on the impact that you want to create and the opportunities will avail themselves.”
- What may feel like a mistake or failure in the moment could be the right path in hindsight.
The BCDI 2030 team also presented ConnecT, the program’s new online communications platform, which offers a secure space for Scholars to connect and collaborate throughout their BCDI 2030 journey.
The BCDI 2030 program thanks all who participated in this milestone event and looks forward to continuing to build a vibrant, connected network of Scholars.
