My Master Class Experience
By Tyler Tan Tram
This summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Queen’s Marketing Association’s (QMA) 2025 Masterclass. Compared to past Masterclasses, this one was special, as it was in collaboration with the podcast “4Ps in a Pod!” Attendees witnessed the first live, in-person podcast recording in the beautiful Smith Toronto building, which overlooks Lake Ontario and Toronto’s financial district.
As I entered the room, I could feel the Queen’s Marketing Association’s energy and sense of community — something I had missed after going on exchange for half a year. I had a chance to reconnect with others in the QMA’s community, from the established keynote speakers to the delegates and executive members of the QMA. Everyone was brought together for various reasons, whether it was the consistent quality of QMA’s events, the opportunity to hear from prominent figures, or simply the incredible value of the evening. Regardless, the connections nurtured through this community made the trip well worth it.
As the live podcast-style speaker panel began, it was immediately clear why “4Ps in a Pod” is so successful. Jeevan Grewal captured everyone’s attention right from the start and sought to establish connections with delegates and speakers alike. This was no ordinary lecture; our panel guests played word association games, shared stories of their university experiences, and offered early career advice applicable to every field — not just marketing. Christopher Henry, the Google Pixel product manager, recalled how extracurricular experiences such as those with QMA, shaped his career trajectory. David Berdock, a Director of Incubator Brands at Riverside Natural Foods, recounted how he started out working on sponsorship partnerships with various brands, which helped him discover his passion for brand innovation. Gena Sherwood, a Senior Client Partner at Pinterest, encouraged attendees to be open to failure and recognize its necessity for growth.
Afterward, everyone moved into a networking space where we learned the inside scoop on what the largest pure-play consumer health company, Kenvue, is looking for in its applicants. While enjoying complimentary in-kind contributions, we had the chance to talk to the panelists one-on-one. Each person had their own experiences and goals, making it the perfect opportunity to ask insightful questions. That summer, I was focused on improving my organization’s customer experience in collaboration with our marketing team, so I had questions about how best to collaborate with a marketing department. Chris explained the differences between working in teams like we do in school, and working in an organization with its added complexities. David emphasized that those working with marketing departments must understand that any decision is an educated guess based on decades of research, numerous frameworks, and current data; still, no one can predict the market’s reaction with absolute certainty.
I left the event with a better understanding of marketers’ perspectives and greater confidence in my early career. I look forward to seeing what I can take away from QMA’s next event.