Mahtab Soin
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Age: 34
“Curious technologist and hands-on leader, thriving at the intersection of innovation, operations, and transformation.”
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Family Members: Sukriti (my wife) and Yavi (our baby girl, born January 2025)
Fun fact about yourself: I’ve always found energy in exploring new places and unfamiliar cultures. Growing up, my father’s career with the Indian Railways meant frequent relocations—by the time I graduated high school, I had lived in eight different cities and towns across India and spent countless days journeying across the country by train. Those early experiences taught me how to adapt quickly, embrace change, and connect with new people.
Later, after graduating from IIT, I spent nearly a decade working in the oilfields of the Middle East, living out of a rucksack and rotating between remote well sites across Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. Today, I live in Montreal, actively working on my French and continuing to seek out new experiences. I’ve always felt at home wherever I go—even when I don’t speak the language.
Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor of Technology (Hon.) in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Where are you currently working? I’m currently in the early stages of building my own venture in the Agentic AI space, where I’m prototyping solutions that leverage autonomous AI agents to solve real-world problems — not just to drive productivity and efficiency, but to fundamentally rethink processes and systems.
For instance, one problem I’m contemplating is how we could rethink the way we assess understanding and critical thinking in education. During my MBA, I observed how students increasingly used AI to assist with homework and assignments, while educators struggled to monitor or control how AI was being used. Imagine, instead of writing a paper to reflect on a case or a concept, having an AI sparring partner that could apply and assess, as it guides you through the material in a natural conversation. Something you can carry with you long after the MBA.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: I enjoy long walks—especially along the Lachine Canal in Montreal and the Harbourfront in Toronto—and stay active with running, weightlifting, and meditation. I actively trade and manage my own investments across the Indian and U.S. stock markets.
In India, I was part of the National Service Scheme, supporting underserved communities. At IIT, I led The Scholars’ Avenue, our campus newspaper, and headed the Robotics Society—two roles that helped shape my leadership style early on.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Our EMBA cohort was known for its sharp intellect, spirited debate, and strong individual voices. Contributing meaningfully in that environment required not just subject-matter knowledge, but the ability to listen deeply, challenge thoughtfully, and build on the perspectives of others.
That’s why being nominated for the Jane Tyerman Award meant so much to me. The award is given to the student who most enhances the learning experience of the class—and to receive that recognition from a room full of such accomplished peers was incredibly humbling. These were people whose perspectives I learned from every day, and the fact that they saw value in what I brought to the table made the experience all the more meaningful.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I’m most proud of is leading the setup of a global predictive maintenance program at SLB (Schlumberger), the world’s largest oilfield services company. It was an ambitious initiative I built from the ground up by learning on the job and taking on the challenge head-on. It involved working with large-scale, real-time IoT data from the field, building machine learning models, and deploying them across two of the company’s largest geographies.
I don’t come from a programming background, but my passion for technology drove me to push past the steep learning curve. Over the course of the project, I built a talented team, developed over 20 models, and helped lay the foundation for a lasting digital transformation. This milestone was the highlight of my 12-year journey at SLB—where I had transitioned organically from field operations into technology, driven by genuine curiosity and the desire to solve hard problems in new ways.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? The most memorable professors were the ones who dramatically reshaped how I think every day: blending clarity with depth and connecting theory to real-world complexity. Professor Joseph Milner’s Business Operations course was a standout—his lessons on managing variability and simulating the whiplash effect in supply chains brought deep operational concepts to life.
I also appreciated the intensity and clarity Professors Mike Simutin and Craig Doidge brought to finance. Coming from a non-finance background, I found their courses both rigorous and highly engaging. And finally, Professor Walid Hejazi’s macroeconomics class helped me connect the dots between geopolitics, monetary & fiscal policy, and the real economy—the last one being an area I’ve long followed out of personal interest.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I had known of Rotman’s reputation as Canada’s leading business school—and the University of Toronto’s global standing—since my undergraduate days. I’d long wanted to pursue an MBA, but the pandemic delayed those plans. When the time was right, I was looking for a rigorous yet efficient program that offered maximum in-class learning with minimal disruption to work. Rotman’s 13-month format was the perfect fit.
Even before moving to Canada, I reached out to the admissions team—they were incredibly warm and supportive. And after arriving, the moment I walked through U of T’s beautiful urban campus and into the Rotman building, I knew it felt right. Rotman’s brand and network are highly respected across Canada, and I was confident it would be a sophisticated experience.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? One of the most valuable lessons I gained early in the program came from Professor Tim Rowley: How to apply structured thinking to decision-making. In fast-moving, high-stakes environments, the instinct is often to “big brain” your way through—jumping to conclusions based on experience or gut. But I learned to pause, frame the problem, and use structure to surface assumptions, align stakeholders, and make more confident decisions.
I also drew heavily from Professor Jim Fisher’s 9-Box Leadership model while leading a globally distributed, cross-functional team at SLB. It helped me move beyond conventional project-based leadership to one grounded in values, autonomy, and purpose. By adapting the model to our context, we built a strong team culture—clear on vision, collaborative in execution, and high in ownership.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? My wife and I had moved to Canada as permanent residents in late 2022. I was accepted into the Rotman EMBA program in early 2023, but just a couple of months before it began, my wife received an exciting job opportunity in Montreal—and we made the decision to relocate from Toronto.
Juggling a demanding role at SLB alongside the EMBA was already a significant challenge. Adding a 12-hour round-trip commute every other week only made it more complex. At one point, I even—albeit reluctantly—applied for a deferral, only to rejoin the cohort at the last minute. I commuted by train and used that time with focused intent: preparing for classes, completing assignments, and staying ahead. That rhythm became even more critical halfway through the program when we learned we were expecting our first child. It was important to me to be fully present and supportive during that chapter.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? The Executive MBA is an intense and fast-paced journey—it flies by before you know it. To truly make the most of it, you need to be intentional with your time and presence. One of the most rewarding aspects for me was being fully present during class—listening actively, engaging in discussion, and leaning into debate. Blocking out work obligations during class hours was key to immersing myself in the learning.
The coursework—cases, simulations, group projects—is thoughtfully designed and reflects real-world challenges. Take the time to reflect and apply what you learn. Rotman’s faculty are incredibly supportive and understand the demands of balancing work, life, and study. So don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek flexibility when needed. Most importantly, lean into peer learning. Be open, be curious, and be willing to be vulnerable. For example, I experimented with more expressive presentation styles for our Capstone project, something well outside my comfort zone. The encouragement and feedback I received from my peers helped build not only my confidence but also a new dimension to how I communicate.
What was your biggest regret in business school? As a commuting student traveling from Montreal, I’m quite satisfied with my overall experience at Rotman—both inside and outside the classroom. However, I do regret missing out on some activities, social events, networking opportunities, and speaker sessions within the broader Rotman and U of T community.
For example, several components of the highly regarded Creative Destruction Lab required in-person attendance, which wasn’t always feasible. Similarly, I couldn’t attend most in-person events for the LEADS mentorship program, despite being accepted into it. Many of my classmates based in the Greater Toronto Area were able to take advantage of these moments—something I often wished I could do more easily.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? There were several outstanding peers in the classroom whom I deeply admired. As the youngest member of the cohort, I had the privilege of learning from classmates who generously shared their leadership wisdom and real-world experiences—whether in navigating challenges, managing complex dynamics, or seizing opportunities. Their openness enriched my perspective immensely.
Among them, the classmate I admired most was Roman Shimanov, a very successful self-made entrepreneur with a fascinating life story. His high agency, tenacity, and vision were inspiring. I also deeply respected Millan Mulraine, a distinguished economist whose journey is marked by grit, perseverance, and resilience. Conversations with him were consistently thought-provoking and intellectually energizing.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? The primary reason I chose an Executive MBA over part-time or online alternatives was the opportunity for immersive, peer-driven learning. I wanted to learn not just from faculty, but from a diverse and accomplished cohort of professionals with real leadership experience.
The EMBA format fosters deeper discussions, stronger relationships, and more meaningful takeaways. Classroom interactions are richer because they’re grounded in lived experience—and that’s something I didn’t want to compromise on.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my EMBA through personal savings. I had been budgeting for this investment even before moving to Canada, and it helped that the Rotman EMBA offers exceptional value compared to similar programs in the U.S.
As a commuter, I booked direct VIA Rail tickets for nearly all class weekends and residential weeks at the beginning of the program. Rotman’s schedule never deviated, which made this approach practical. I also stayed with friends in Toronto when possible and frequently used the Burwash guesthouse on campus—an affordable, walkable option that worked well.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to build and scale a technology company that reimagines how we work and learn in the age of AI. Throughout my career, I’ve transitioned organically from field operations into technology—not through formal training, but through a deep curiosity about how things work, and how they could work better. I’m especially drawn to system-level challenges – where AI can do more than just optimize or boost productivity but reshape the way we approach problems.
For instance – during my MBA, I noted students using AI to accelerate assignments while educators struggled to assess true understanding. What if, instead, students could spar with AI agents in natural language: helping them apply models, work through cases, reflect on learnings, and assess understanding at the same time? It’s the kind of solution that wasn’t feasible just three years ago but is now entirely possible with thoughtful design—and buildable by founders like me, who may not have formal software backgrounds but understand the problem and are willing to learn fast.
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