Turning creative Instincts into strategic value

MBA Diaries | CDL-Rockies Series

Tyler Sherard, ‘25 MBA

Associate Director, Arts in Health, University Hospital Foundation

As part of our new CDL-Rockies alumni series, we’re highlighting graduates who took their MBA beyond the classroom through the Creative Destruction Lab–Rockies (CDL-Rockies). Tyler's experience highlights how creative instincts can become a powerful tool for strategic decision-making, value creation and leadership in high-stakes environments.

Can you share a stand out moment from your time in CDL-Rockies?

Sitting in the deliberation room. Watching incredibly sharp people synthesize complex information, challenge assumptions, and make high-stakes decisions fast. It fundamentally changed how I think about decision-making and value creation.

Is there something that surprised you, or that you didn't expect, with the CDL program?

I was surprised by how much my background as an artist, designer and qualitative researcher added real value. Creativity, spotting patterns and asking better questions mattered more than I expected.

Are there any skills or insights you learned from your time in the CDL-Rockies program that are still applicable for you today?

Absolutely. I still use CDL frameworks to assess projects, not just startups. I have reviewed SAFE agreements, but more importantly, I apply what I learned in deliberations. How to add clarity and insight to conversations quickly.

Was there a hard moment during the program — and what helped you?

Pivoting in response to mentor feedback was the hardest and best part. Letting go of my initial approach and reshaping the work in real time was uncomfortable, but seeing it immediately help founders in conversations made it worth it. 

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at the Alberta School of Business?

I stumbled into leadership and suddenly found myself known as a leader in arts and non-profit spaces. I wanted to validate those skills, scale them, and build a network that could help me think bigger and act more strategically.

How has your experience — either in the MBA program more generally, or as a participant in the CDL-Rockies program — impacted your career?

It expanded my portfolio to include innovation and venture-adjacent work and gave me the confidence to bring that mindset back into the health and arts sectors.

 Do you have any advice for future MBA students interested in applying to the CDL-Rockies program? 

Be open to uncertainty. The real learning happens when you dive in before you feel ready. If you stop yourself by saying “I don’t know how to do this,” you miss the point entirely.