Concordian Nora Baronian honoured with Guillaume Samson Award from the Jeux du Commerce

Nora Baronian is the director of the undergraduate case competition program at the John Molson School of Business as well as a senior lecturer in the Department of Management.

In January of 2025, she was awarded the Guillaume Samson Award by the Organizing Committee of the Jeux du Commerce (JDC), the largest academic competition in Eastern Canada. Baronian was recognized for her commitment to students in the case competition program.

The Guillaume Samson Award recognizes the continued efforts of an individual who distinguishes themselves through their commitment to elevating the competition to a higher level. The award is presented at the JDC closing ceremony.

“This program is a passion of mine,” says Baronian. “It is very meaningful and heart-warming to be acknowledged for it.”

The director of the program since 2017, Baronian oversees budgeting, student recruitment for local case competitions, delivering a case competition class every fall (COMM 499), and training and coaching students and alumni. She is also responsible for an executive team of 20 students.

She also chooses students to send to international competitions who represent John Molson in about 20 competitions a year.  

“My biggest pride is the students,” she says. “As long as I know I have had a positive impact in their lives, my work is done and that is my greatest joy.”

Dylan Ross, BComm 23, participated in the John Molson Undergraduate Case Competition program from 2020 until his graduation. He met Baronian in the COMM 499 case competition course.

“Nora provides students with experiences that – without a doubt – completely alter the trajectory of their lives,” says Ross.

“The confidence, hard-working mentality and analytical skills she helps students develop through her program opens doors to career paths and opportunities they had never considered before joining. The reason so many alumni continue to come back and coach within the program is due to the environment and opportunities that Nora fostered for us as students,” he says.

Baronian has a message for students considering getting involved with the case competition program: don’t think twice.

“It will be the most rewarding experience of your university career,” she says. “You will be tested but will learn tremendously and you will feel the power of the support and mentors there to guide you.”  

Learn more about the John Molson Case Competition Committee.