Dr. Mai Thi Thanh Thai is an Associate Professor at HEC Montreal and the founder and director of Social Business Creation (SBC), which is an impactful global platform for the promotion of social entrepreneurship and enhancing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance. Her research focuses on the influence of socio-economic, cultural, and political contexts on business behavior. Mai is deeply passionate about fostering social entrepreneurship and innovation. She is a recognized leader in her field and has won numerous prizes and awards as an entrepreneur, teacher, and researcher.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Higher Education Digest, Mai shared her professional trajectory, insights on gender equality and inclusion in entrepreneurship, the secret mantra behind her success, her biggest stress relievers, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Mai. Please tell us about your background and areas of interest.
I was born in Vietnam right after the War. My dad, who was a soldier, wished that tomorrow would always be green and peaceful. That’s why he gave me the name Thanh Mai in Vietnamese. I grew up in poverty due to the remnants of the war and my parents’ poor health conditions. That’s why I started working early to support myself and help my parents raise 3 other siblings. My early life hardship helped me develop certain qualities such as resilience, forward-thinking, opportunism, etc., that brought about my entrepreneurial success. Having had strong academic and business achievements in the late 1990s, I obtained a very generous scholarship that covered all my expenses to study for an MBA at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (https://manoa.hawaii.edu). During my time in Hawaii, I was a fellow at the East-West Center (www.eastwestcenter.org), which promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. The MBA study and community activities at the East-West Center made me realize the importance of social entrepreneurship and how I had always been a social entrepreneur. After obtaining my Ph.D. in International Management from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland (https://www.unisg.ch/), I became a professor in Canada. I have been lucky to obtain scholarships/prizes/distinctions in all institutions where I have worked and studied. Having well-traveled in Asia, America, and Europe, and with great enthusiasm for social entrepreneurship, I am naturally interested in social impact creation through entrepreneurial activities, immigrant entrepreneurship, and the intricate connections between entrepreneurship and its complex web of socioeconomic, cultural, and political contexts.
What do you love the most about your current role as Global Director of Social Business Creation at HEC Montréal?
What I love the most in my current role as Global Director of Social Business Creation at HEC Montréal is the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs, students, teachers, and researchers in many different countries across the globe who are determined to make strong positive impacts for the betterment of society. Through training and research activities with them, I learn a lot and get inspired every day. In fact, Social Business Creation always challenges me to continuously innovate and adapt, ensuring that our program remains at the forefront of social entrepreneurship education.
You are also an Associate Professor at HEC Montréal. Can you please tell us about the courses/programs taught by you and their relevance in today’s modern business era?
I teach a variety of courses, such as social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial not-for-profit, new venture creation, qualitative methods, and strategies in emerging markets. These courses are particularly relevant today as businesses are increasingly expected to operate with a global perspective and a commitment to sustainability. Using mostly experiential learning and flip-classroom, I often blend theoretical knowledge with practical application to prepare students to better navigate and succeed in today’s globalizing business environment. I have created two successful programs: International Graduate Competition (IGC) and Social Business Creation (SBC). The IGC trains master’s students on co-petition strategies through a 48-hour case challenge, which forces students to collaborate (they are unable to complete the huge analytic tasks without collaboration) and to compete at the same time to win the game. The SBC program trains students and businesspeople to develop a new mindset in which profitability must go hand-in-hand with positive social impacts. It not only encourages participants to lead their lives with a higher sense of purpose but also shows them how to use market mechanisms to tackle social-environmental problems. After obtaining success in training, SBC is working to make stronger impacts through research and policy advocacy.
Over the years, you have been a recipient of several prestigious awards and accolades including Pedagogical Innovation Prizes in 2013 and 2022, the Alma-LePage Award in 2012, Past President’s Award in 2020, and one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education in 2024 among others. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
My name, Mai Thai, tells me constantly that “My Aspiration Is To Have Amazing Impacts”. For me, awards or prizes are just by-products. I am thankful that the results of my work are recognized. But even without them or the chance of getting them, I do what I do anyway because I am led by a sense of purpose. I maintain a deep commitment to my values, always striving to make a positive impact through my work. As for success, I attribute it to the strong support network of colleagues, mentors, and students who have encouraged and challenged me throughout my career.
What are your thoughts on gender equality and inclusion? Do you think there is a gender bias in your industry?
Gender equality and inclusion have always been a challenge, particularly in entrepreneurship. Anywhere in the world, there are many more male than female entrepreneurs. Research shows that female-led ventures are penalized relative to male-led ventures because of role incongruity or a perceived “lack of fit” between female stereotypes and the expected personal qualities of business entrepreneurs. Women may even be at a disadvantage when signaling that they are “entrepreneurial” to venture capitalists. They often must work harder to prove themselves and are judged more harshly for their mistakes. Nevertheless, I believe that through awareness, education, and policy changes, we can create more equitable environments. That’s why I am committed to advocating for gender equality and supporting initiatives that empower women.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
I am grateful for so many people who have helped me become who I am today. If I must name one person, I would like to name Mr. Than Ha Nhat Thong, the first person who opened my mind to a whole new perspective when I was a poor teenager. I met him when I was 15 years old, and he was 27. At that time, I ran a mobile kiosk selling convenient goodies on the street, and he was my regular customer. He was already an experienced serial entrepreneur who had had great success and many failures. Frequent conversations with him made me realize that it was possible to get out of poverty, and they gave me lessons to be more entrepreneurial.
The meaning of leadership can change from one era to another, how would you define the meaning of leadership today?
Today, leadership is about more than just guiding a team or organization; it’s about inspiring others, fostering innovation, and driving positive change. In the context of social entrepreneurship, leadership also involves a deep commitment to ethical practices and a vision for creating a better world.
What is your biggest stress reliever?
My biggest stress reliever is spending time with my family members. Their support and love bring me immense joy and a deep sense of purpose, grounding me in what truly matters. Additionally, I find solace in sewing and tricot. These creative activities are meditative for me since they allow me to focus on the intricate work of my hands and clear my mind of any negative thoughts. The process of watching my creations come to life is both soothing and deeply fulfilling.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself continuing to innovate in the field of social entrepreneurship education. I aim to expand the reach and impact of the Social Business Creation program, collaborating with global partners to develop new initiatives that support social entrepreneurs worldwide. I also plan to further my research on the intersections of entrepreneurship, culture, and social impact, contributing to both academic knowledge and practical solutions. On a personal level, I hope to continue growing as a leader and mentor, helping to shape the next generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs.
Do you have any advice for women working in the higher education landscape?
I would encourage them to embrace leadership in every aspect of their lives and careers. They should not allow societal constructs that often place women at a disadvantage to limit their ambitions or potential. They should strive for true freedom in both thoughts and actions, that is, being bold in their decisions, standing firm in their convictions, and not being afraid to challenge the status quo. I find it crucial to build strong networks and work collaboratively with other women. By promoting and supporting each other, we can collectively enhance our social capital, creating a robust network of resources and opportunities that will empower us all to succeed.
References:
- Desai, Sameeksha, and Robert Fairlie. “Who is the Entrepreneur? The Changing Diversity of New Entrepreneurs in the United States, 1996-2020.” Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, April 13 (2021).
- Lee, Matthew, and Laura Huang. “Gender bias, social impact framing, and evaluation of entrepreneurial ventures.” Organization Science 29.1 (2018): 1-16.
- Minniti, Maria. “Gender issues in entrepreneurship.” Foundations and Trends® in Entrepreneurship 5.7–8 (2009): 497-621.
- Pistilli, Luca, et al. “Gender bias in entrepreneurship: what is the role of the founders’ entrepreneurial background?.” Journal of Business Ethics 187.2 (2023): 325-346.
- Verheul, Ingrid, André Van Stel, and Roy Thurik. “Explaining female and male entrepreneurship at the country level.” Entrepreneurship and regional development 18.2 (2006): 151-183.