McGill Data Network · Est. 2015

McGill's student network for data, analytics, and AI.

A student-led organization at Desautels dedicated to making data accessible, connecting students with the technical skills, industry professionals, and career opportunities shaping the future of business, technology, and analytics.

Explore MDN Partner with us

2015 Founded at Desautels

2,900+ Social followers

200+ Attendees per semester

10 yrs Of data-driven community

By the numbers · 2025–26

2,900+

Followers across all social media

4,900+

Online reach per year

200+

Attendees per semester

215+

Newsletter subscribers

About us

Making data accessible at McGill since 2015.

Founded in 2015 under the Management Undergraduate Society at the Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill Data Network has grown into one of McGill's leading student communities for data, analytics, AI, and technology-driven careers.

Our mission is simple: make data accessible to everyone and bridge the gap between students and professional opportunity.

Through panels, workshops, hackathons, competitions, and networking events, MDN helps students build practical skills, meet industry professionals, and discover where data can take them.

2015 · Founded at Desautels

Launched under MUS with a mission to democratize data education.

2020–2024 · Growing industry presence

Partnerships and events with firms such as EY, KPMG, BNP Paribas, and RBC.

2025–2026 · A new chapter

10th Anniversary Networking Cocktail and inaugural AI Hackathon, featured by McGill Desautels.

2026–2027 · Building the next decade

Expanding technical programming, industry partnerships, and career-focused opportunities.

What we do

Four ways we connect students with data and industry.

From technical workshops and AI hackathons to panels and networking events, MDN creates spaces where students learn by doing and connect with the people who shape their careers.

Industry Panels

We bring professionals from consulting, finance, technology, and AI into the room with McGill students, unpacking real career paths and how data drives decisions.

Featuring speakers from EY, BNP Paribas, KPMG & RBC.

Technical Workshops

Practical sessions built around real skills, not theory. Students work hands-on with Python, SQL, Tableau, Alteryx, and AI workflows.

Live deliverables, not passive slides.

Hackathons & Competitions

Hands-on events where students solve real problems under time pressure, collaborate in teams, and present to judges, companies, and peers.

Flagship: the inaugural AI Hackathon.

Networking & Career Events

Networking cocktails, office visits, and recruitment events that connect students directly with alumni, recruiters, founders, and industry leaders.

Including our 10th Anniversary Cocktail.

Featured events

Our flagship events.

A look at the events that define MDN, built and run by students, for students, with industry in the room.

Flagship · Winter 2026

AI Hackathon

MDN's inaugural AI Hackathon brought together student teams for a fast-paced 3.5-hour sprint focused on building practical AI solutions. Co-organized with BAI Analytics and McGill's Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship, it featured a jury of professionals from leading firms alongside Dobson Centre staff and McGill professors, showcasing the technical creativity and ambition of McGill students.

3.5h

Sprint

16+

Teams

Jury members

1st

Edition

With BAI Analytics & Dobson Centre · guest Jeff Pulver Read the McGill feature

Milestone · 2025

10th Anniversary Networking Cocktail

A milestone evening celebrating a decade of MDN, bringing students, alumni, and industry professionals together in an elegant setting at Thomson House.

10 yrsOf MDN

100+Attendees

ThomsonHouse

Students working through a hands-on technical workshop at McGill Data Network

Applied learning

Technical Workshop Series

Workshops that build tangible abilities students can use in internships, interviews, and projects: analytics, programming, visualization, and AI.

Python SQL Tableau Alteryx AI

Our audience

A direct line to McGill's analytical talent.

MDN events attract analytically minded, career-driven students from Desautels and across faculties, interested in consulting, finance, technology, data science, product, operations, startups, and AI.

Desautels BCom Students

Concentrating in finance, analytics, marketing, strategy, and operations, many actively recruiting for analyst, associate, and consulting roles.

Cross-Faculty Students

From engineering, science, computer science, economics, mathematics, and statistics, bringing technical depth and interdisciplinary perspective.

Graduate Students

MBA, MSc, and master's students with professional experience, strategic thinking, and a focus on career acceleration.

Where our students are headed

Consulting Investment Banking Data Science Product & Tech Private Equity Operations AI Startups Venture Capital Analytics Strategy

Partners

Trusted by leading firms.

MDN works with leading firms committed to developing the next generation of McGill data professionals.

Join Canada's leading data-focused academic network.

Why partner with MDN

Concrete value for your organization.

Talent Pipeline Access

Reach 200+ engaged students each semester and connect with candidates in analytics, consulting, finance, technology, and AI.

Multi-Channel Visibility

Gain visibility across MDN's Instagram, LinkedIn, newsletter, event banners, and student community touchpoints.

Technical Collaboration

Co-host workshops, hackathon challenges, or applied sessions built on real business problems and data use cases.

Recruitment Opportunities

Share job postings, internships, office visits, recruitment events, résumé books, and direct student engagement.

Brand Credibility at McGill

Associate your organization with McGill, Desautels, and one of the university's leading data-focused communities.

Long-Term Relationships

Build relationships with students early, support data education, and join MDN's growing alumni and partner ecosystem.

Interested in partnering with MDN?

Let's build a package around your goals.

Our team

Student-led, professionally run.

A dedicated executive team across strategy, sponsorship, events, marketing, technology, and operations.

Executive Directors

Hector Acket

Executive Director

Strategy · Partnerships

Hippolyte Lapierre

Executive Director

Operations · Programming

Join the community

Build the future of data at McGill with us.

Whether you're a student new to data, already building technical projects, a sponsor, alumnus, recruiter, or speaker, MDN gives you a place to learn, build, and connect.

Follow on Instagram Connect on LinkedIn president.mdn@musmcgill.com

For beginners

Discover data, analytics, and AI through accessible, welcoming events.

For builders

Apply your skills through workshops, hackathons, and competitions.

For career-driven students

Meet professionals, recruiters, alumni, and companies hiring analytical talent.

For partners

Reach out to discuss sponsorships, workshops, recruitment events, hackathons, or custom collaborations.