2025: Most-read stories at ASB

From pivotal alumni journeys and breakthrough research to academic excellence and adventurous celebrations, 2025 delivered compelling stories that resonated with our readers. According to website data, these were the most-read Alberta School of Business articles of the year — a mix of bold personal narratives, impactful research and memorable achievements — offering just a few snapshots of the inspiring people who make up our business community.

From classroom to custom bras: How one alumna is reshaping lingerie to put women first 

This standout story follows U of A alumna Ruhee Dhillon, BCom '04, on her journey from business student to founder of Rubies Bras — a women-led lingerie brand dedicated to personalized, high-quality design and ethical production, with a now growing emphasis on couture craftsmanship. Driven by a desire to help women feel comfortable, confident and fully supported, Dhillon built a company that challenges fast-fashion norms and prioritizes care, customization and sustainability.

The story highlights her leap into entrepreneurship, the evolution of her brand, and the deep sense of purpose behind her work. Readers connected strongly with its blend of innovation, empowerment and heartfelt storytelling about shaping an industry around women’s needs. Read it here.

Kathryn Byron: From burnout to breakthrough

 This story follows chemical engineer and mid-career leader Kathryn Byron, MBA '25, who spent 14 years in demanding operational roles before recognizing she was burned out and no longer energized by work. Seeking a reset, she returned to the U of A to pursue her long-delayed MBA full-time — a decision that allowed her to step back, reassess her values and imagine a healthier, more fulfilling path forward.

Through career coaching and deep self-reflection, Kathryn reframed her understanding of achievement and embraced wellbeing as essential to strong leadership. The story resonated for its honesty, its relevance to many mid-career professionals, and its message about rediscovering purpose through education. Read it here.

Two Alberta School of Business grads celebrate their degrees with an epic trek

This reader favourite profiles '24 BCom graduates Luke Talman and Olivier Haley, who marked the completion of their degrees with an ambitious 1,850-kilometre bikepacking journey across New Zealand. Over 24 days, the pair navigated steep climbs, unpredictable terrain and the occasional mishap — all while taking in some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Their story blends adventure with friendship, resilience and the skills they honed during their time at ASB.

Readers connected with the sense of momentum and possibility the trek symbolized, as well as the graduates’ reflections on community support, personal growth and embracing life’s challenges head-on. Read it here.

How cities grow (or not)

This research feature examines the economic and structural forces that influence whether cities grow, stagnate or experience volatility over time. Alberta School of Business associate professor Guozhong Zhu and his co-author developed a dynamic model that explores how zoning, geography, transportation infrastructure and agglomeration effects interact to shape real estate prices and long-term urban development.

Using examples relevant to Edmonton, the story highlights how the right mix of land supply, infrastructure and industry can support sustainable growth while managing housing risk — offering policymakers and decision makers a more holistic way to understand urban opportunity and resilience. Read it here.

New faculty member brings expertise in analytical accounting

 We're proud to profile our faculty members — past and present — and their research. This feature welcomes Rahul Menon to the Accounting and Business Analytics department at ASB. With experience as an equity analyst and academic training from Northwestern and Purdue, Menon brings deep expertise in analytical accounting — modelling how regulations, governance and disclosure affect corporate behaviour.

The story also highlights his research focus and his case-based teaching approach that encourages students to think critically through complex real-world scenarios. Read it here.

Check out the latest Business News here. Looking ahead to a successful 2026 and many more stories from the Alberta School of Business.