Automotive Business School of Canada alumnus nurtures leaders of tomorrow
Jan. 8, 2025
No one could have prepared for the immense impact the COVID-19 pandemic would have on nearly every aspect of our society – including the hard-hit retail and automotive sectors.
For Andrew Ojamae (class of 2001), President of Ontario-based retail dealership group AutoIQ and Automotive Marketing and Management diploma program alumnus, this became a unique opportunity to innovate and redefine how to respond to historic business challenges; a resilient mindset that, in many ways, he credits to Georgian College.
Andrew Ojamae speaks at the 2024 Premier’s Awards ceremony.
Georgian isn’t just where I received my diploma. It has been an important part of the fabric of my life for more than two decades. From the first moment I set foot on campus, Georgian has been a massive accelerant in my career, enabling invaluable learning opportunities and a network of lifelong connections that I am still building and benefitting from. It was even where I met my long-time mentor and business partner, who spoke during one of my classes and who I reconnected with at a Georgian event 25 years later.
How a college diploma prepared him for changes in the industry
For Andrew, the mentorship, job-ready skills and forward-thinking approach he gained through his program laid a foundation for the growth and adaptability that has helped him succeed.
He was able to pivot quickly as the pandemic hit, finding pioneering ways to reach customers and grow AutoIQ despite the obstacles facing them and many other businesses at the time.
Andrew has guided his team for AutoIQ’s most innovative period to date, from building the AutoIQ brand and employing new go-to-market strategies, to developing new revenue streams and creating an entirely virtual customer experience.
Under his leadership, the business not only survived but thrived, now generating more than $1 billion each year and employing more than 450 team members.
Giving back to his alma mater
Knowing how Georgian made a difference in his ability to steer a business through uncertainty and transformation, Andrew has continued his strong connection to the college, nurturing the industry’s next leaders as he propels AutoIQ to new heights.
Through funding the AutoIQ Leadership Academy co-op program at Georgian, he helps give aspiring professionals an up-close-and-personal look at all facets of the business while tapping into an exceptional talent pipeline to continue AutoIQ’s leading position in a competitive industry.
With the many connections Andrew has made and ways the community continues to enrich his career, he is a testament to the enduring strength of a Georgian education – building not just skills, but the resilience needed to succeed in any circumstance while inspiring others to do the same.
Andrew was a 2024 Premier’s Awards nominee in the business category.
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Published Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025