In honor of Black History Month, the EMBA McGill-HEC Montreal spotlights just some of our brightest black alumni. They share their thoughts, inspiring journeys and what Black History Month means to them.

Matthew Thornhill

Matthew Thornhill

Director, Financial Planning & Analysis at Merck

  • What is your personal mission statement?

My personal mission is to: Maximize my time doing what I love to do, while building relationships with great people, constantly learning, and evolving into a person who positively contributes to society.

  • What makes this statement so important to you?

I believe that for us to progress as a society, we all have a part to play. Progress requires us to challenge the status quo, learn from our mistakes, and to evolve outside our comfort zone.

  • What sort of obstacles have you faced?

Like many minorities I have faced my fair share of micro aggressions and bias over the years. The greater challenge I have faced is often being the only person of color in the room – in school and at work. To that point I have felt a certain level pressure to do well and not reinforce any negative biases.

  • What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is about reflection of the past, a time to learn and a time to celebrate.

We need to reflect on the past, to understand how we got here. It is a time to learn about those who came before us, the sacrifices and hardships they faced. It is also a time to break down barriers and educate others.

Finally, I think Black History Month is a time to celebrate all the amazing stories and successes of our people. Bringing visibility to and showcasing all the talented, and brilliant people is the ultimate way to inspire the next generation and show them that big dreams can be achieved.