Name: Adam Levine
CEMS home school: Ivey Business School
CEMS host school: Bocconi University
First NGC project: BEAD Technologies
Current job title & company: Project Manager- Corporate Strategy and Transformation- HSBC
Can you tell us a little bit about you?
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. From an early age, I have loved exploring different countries, cultures and new experiences. This passion influenced my decision to enroll in the CEMS Masters programme, where I met many engaging students, professors and colleagues. I had the privilege of participating in an exchange at Bocconi University and completing my CEMS internship working for Muthoot Group in Kochi, India. To date, I have travelled to over 50 countries, including work experiences in five and study terms in three of those countries. I am incredibly grateful for all these amazing experiences, and post-CoVid, I hope to continue exploring the world. In addition to travelling, some of my hobbies include playing various sports, including Tennis, Downhill Skiing, Basketball and Golf. I also enjoy photography, woodworking, camping and reading about international politics.
Can you tell a fun fact about yourself?
I am an active Scuba Diver! I have had my official Scuba certification (PADI) since I was 12 years old. I have Scuba dived worldwide, most notably in Belize, Honduras, Australia, Florida, Maldives and the Philippines. I love seeing animals in their natural habitat, and I have been lucky enough to Scuba near a variety of sharks, manta rays, stingrays, dolphins, sea turtles and most notably, Nemo (clownfish).
How did you first get involved with NGC?
I first got involved with NGC at the beginning of 2020 when I joined the board as a Project Manager.
What was your motivation behind joining NGC?
I had regretted not becoming an NGC consultant as a CEMS student, and I had set a goal for myself to contribute to NGC eventually. I always admired their mission of helping out businesses with a strong commitment to solving some of the world's most pressing and complex problems. After a few years in the workforce, I saw an opening for a Project Manager role, and I felt that I could add value through my experiences and skillsets to NGC consultants, the NGC board and client engagements.
What does your role at NGC entail?
My current role as the Head of Project Managers is to ensure that all client engagements are operating well. My role entails comprehensive support to all PMs by providing guidance for any project-related issues and improving the PM experience. My role also comprises forming relationships with external NGC "mentors" from large consultancies, providing PMs with an additional layer of support, and topical seminars for NGC consultants.
What do you do for your full-time job?
I am currently a Project Manager with HSBC in the Corporate Strategy and Transformation department in Toronto, Canada. My role consists of managing a variety of complex projects ranging from regulatory to operational to data analytics.
Is it easy to manage your role at NGC at the same time? Do you have any tips on how to juggle these responsibilities?
When taking on a comprehensive board role, in addition to your full-time job, it is expected to be a challenge. It is challenging given the various time differences between the board, PMs, clients and mentors. However, I am a firm believer in the Theodore Roosevelt quote, "Nothing worth having comes easy." Although making a meaningful commitment to the NGC board has been a lot of work, it has been incredibly rewarding, and I strongly believe it has enhanced the quality of my day-to-day job at HSBC.
My advice to managing multiple responsibilities would be preparation and transparency. Take some time out of your week to schedule, plan and build contingencies into what you want to get done. Keep your stakeholders informed on the goals you want to have accomplished in addition to any barriers you foresee encountering.
What has been one of your favourite moments at NGC?
One of my favourite moments working with NGC thus far was when I was a PM for BEAD Technologies. I worked closely with the project team and client to deliver a quality and insightful deliverable. The client was highly impressed by the recommendations and strategy we had proposed after the final presentation. A few months later, it was rewarding to see through LinkedIn that BEAD Technologies implemented our proposed strategy. It was a gratifying experience that all the hard work throughout the term was being used to make a positive difference in the trajectory of an innovative startup.
Has your role at NGC helped you in your career? And if so, how?
I would 100% say that my role at NGC has positively impacted my current day-to-day job at HSBC. It has improved the way I schedule meetings, prepare and set goals with relevant stakeholders and engage with project sponsors to ensure I am meeting (or exceeding) the objectives of various projects. Working with fellow CEMSies from multiple backgrounds has also helped my engagement with international teams across the HSBC business.
Do you have any tips for students thinking about applying to NCG?
If you are a student and want some insight before applying to NGC, I would highly recommend reaching out to NGC alumni and the current board. NGC has a vibrant alumni group that can give a detailed recount of their experiences at NGC. Send a message on LinkedIn, or feel free to reach out through the NGC website to get some further information regarding the NGC consulting experience.