Andrea Limbardi, EMBA 16
Andrea Limbardi’s 25+ year career in the retail industry is fuelled by her passion for leading people, enhancing customer experience and crafting long-term strategies for sustainable growth.
The most important qualities for a business leader in these times are clarity of vision, curiosity and authenticity
Limbardi, President and CEO of Reitmans Canada Limited, provides mentorship, guidance and networking opportunities in her role as EMBA Class Champion.
Why did you decide to join the John Molson School as the EMBA Class Champion?
Andrea Limbardi: As a proud 2016 graduate of the John Molson EMBA program, I have a deep appreciation for the transformative experience it offers. Joining as the EMBA Class Champion allows me to give back to this community that has significantly shaped my career and share any support I can to the 2026 cohort. Equally, I know I will learn a lot from this bright group of professionals who have committed their time and energy to continuing their learning which is so critical in this ever-changing world.
What are you most looking forward to in your role?
AL: I'm most looking forward to building meaningful relationships with the cohort, with faculty, and with the program team. I know first-hand what a life-changing yet challenging experience it is to complete your EMBA while managing a busy career (and for many a busy family life too). I am hopeful to be able to be a sounding board as well as help to inspire the group with my passion for curiosity and authenticity – being honest about not having all the answers but always being open to learning is a key value to enable success.
In what ways do you think the academic community and the business community can complement each other’s work and goals?
AL: The academic and business communities can complement each other in so many ways. Academia provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge and research that can drive innovation and inform business practices. Conversely, the business community offers practical insights and real-world challenges that can shape academic research and curriculum development. Collaboration between these communities can lead to the development of cutting-edge solutions and the preparation of well-rounded, future-ready leaders. In particular, what the JMSB EMBA program does best is help already successful business leaders refine their ability for critical and holistic thinking that is most powerful to harness when you already have career experience in your toolkit.
What’s the most important quality for a business leader?
AL: Today’s world moves fast; What’s true today may very well not be true tomorrow. The most important qualities for a business leader in these times are clarity of vision, curiosity and authenticity. The best leaders navigate this uncertainty by sharing a clear North Star while staying open-minded with a life-long pursuit of learning, embracing change and inspiring their teams to do the same. They also know where they have personal skill or leadership gaps and surround themselves with team members who complement them.
