The Next Chapter of TBJ: A Conversation with Co-Presidents Janne and Yue

Written by Gobi Mathi, Ottawa, September 11, 2026.

Every year, Telfer Business Journal turns a page and starts a new chapter, shaped by the members, writers and executives who drive the club forward. With another academic year underway, TBJ is once again looking forward to creating memorable experiences, expanding opportunities, and finding new ways to engage with the broader Telfer and uOttawa communities.

And what better way to get to know the club and where it’s headed than by speaking with the people leading it?

We sat down with this year’s Co-Presidents, Janne Duplessis and Yue Wu, to discuss what brought them to TBJ, their experiences within the club, their priorities for the year ahead and the advice they have for aspiring writers. Their perspectives offer a glimpse into the people leading TBJ and their vision for the club’s next chapter.

Can you take us through your journey with TBJ, from when you first joined to where you are today?

Janne: I’ve been involved with TBJ since my first year at Telfer. During the 101-Week Telfer Club Fair, I immediately hit it off with the Editor-in-Chief at the time. We were both from the same area of Québec and shared a passion for journalism and creative writing. He encouraged me to apply on the spot, and I ended up getting an interview shortly after.

I started as a Writer in my first year and later became the First-Year Representative. I quickly fell in love with the club—its mission, its people, and the welcoming community it created. That experience motivated me to take on the role of VP Administration, where I wanted to give back and help other first-year students, like me, find a welcoming community and an opportunity to get involved at Telfer.

After that, I knew I was ready to take on a greater challenge. By that point, I had been part of TBJ for a year and a half, and I genuinely cared about the club and its future. I wanted to contribute on a larger scale, help shape its direction, and make sure that future students could have the same experience I had. That’s what ultimately led me to my current role as Co-President.

Since then, TBJ has become a major part of my university experience. It has allowed me to grow as a leader, meet amazing people, and contribute to something I genuinely care about. More than anything, it has been rewarding to go from being a first-year student looking for a community to now helping build that community for others.

Yue: I’ve been following TBJ since my first year and finally decided to join as an Editor going into my third year. Contributing to the Editorial pillar taught me a lot about how the publication process works, and I loved being able to represent the club at faculty events. When I was younger, I was a huge bookworm and I loved writing, but over the years, I’ve had less and less time to dedicate to these hobbies. Alas, life gets in the way! The Telfer Business Journal made for the perfect outlet to delve deeper into relevant research topics while formulating and sharing my own insights on them.

As a management student, I have the opportunity to explore various business disciplines through my studies, but I am a firm believer in that the best learning cannot be done by being confined to the walls of a lecture hall. Writing several articles of my own and advising fellow student writers through TBJ has opened up my mind and allowed me to practice leadership and attention to detail in a low-pressure environment. As my presidential mandate goes on, I hope to carry forth the lessons learned throughout my undergraduate journey and continue fostering this unique sense of community that drew me to TBJ initially.

For someone who hasn’t engaged with TBJ before, what would you tell them about the club and why they should get involved?

Janne: The Telfer Business Journal, or TBJ, is a student-led publication that gives Telfer students a space to explore business, culture, student life, and current events through writing and creative expression. But beyond being a publication, TBJ is really a community of students who are passionate about storytelling, journalism, and connecting with others.

People should join TBJ because you don’t need to be an experienced writer or journalist to get involved. Whether you want to improve your writing, build your portfolio, meet new people, or simply try something outside of your classes, there’s a place for you here.

Our events are also a big part of that community. We want TBJ to be more than something you see on a website or social media, we want it to be something you actively experience. Our events are opportunities to meet other students, learn new skills, collaborate, and have fun outside the classroom.

Yue: I’ve had the pleasure of working within several clubs at Telfer, and I think TBJ is really special in the sense that we don’t only host in-person events on campus, but we also have an entire online brand that we showcase through our very own website and social media platforms. Our club’s mission is to encourage students to stay informed, think critically, and engage confidently with the business world through student journalism. Getting involved as a writer or executive member with TBJ means getting the chance to publish your own original articles on behalf of a recognized student paper while having automatic access to internal social events, mentorship opportunities, and facilities reserved for club members. We also host in-person initiatives that are open to all students, such as our signature writing workshops aimed at helping our writers grow throughout their term. Last year, the club collaborated with CBC’s local branch to allow participants to tour the CBC Ottawa Production Centre and network with professionals in the journalism industry, which received overwhelmingly positive feedback. We plan on launching similar professional development events in the near future, so stay tuned if this is something you’re interested in!

What are your priorities for improving and growing TBJ this year?

Janne: This year, we really want to focus on building a stronger foundation for TBJ’s future. One of our biggest priorities is improving our internal structure so that everyone on the team knows their role, feels supported, and has opportunities to take initiative.

We also want to make TBJ more accessible and engaging for the broader Telfer community. That means increasing our presence on campus, creating more opportunities for students to get involved, and organizing events that appeal to people beyond just our writing team.

Finally, we want to focus on continuity. We want to build systems, traditions, and a strong team culture that can continue even after our current leadership graduates. Our goal isn’t just to have a successful year, we want to leave TBJ stronger than we found it.

Yue: Like Janne said, our first priority is doing a full internal overhaul, ensuring that our executive team is equipped with the resources, support, and mindset needed for success. After all, structural change must start on the inside of any organization before involving external parties. On a more personal note, I’d like to leverage my experience as an FSL student by strengthening bilingual communications across our six pillars and beyond. uOttawa’s business faculty has a significant francophone population, and I want to ensure that all of our readers and general members, regardless of their English proficiency, are able to engage with our content and participate in our events without language barriers. This is why we’ve also begun the process of restructuring the website’s article display settings so that each article has both an English and a French version. In general, my vision for TBJ this year is that it remains a dynamic and sustainable organization that helps its members grow while leaving a lasting impact at Telfer.

Looking back on your own experience, what advice would you give to new writers at TBJ?

Janne: My biggest piece of advice would be: don’t be afraid to write badly at first.

You don’t have to be an amazing writer when you join TBJ. That’s what being part of a publication is for: you learn, you get feedback, and you improve. Your first article probably won’t be your best article, and that’s completely okay.

I’d also say to write about things you’re genuinely interested in. When you’re passionate about what you’re writing about, it becomes much easier to find your voice and keep the reader engaged.

And finally, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Pitch an idea, interview someone you’ve never talked to before, try a different type of article. Some of the best opportunities come from being willing to try something new.

Yue: Don’t be afraid to tap into your curiosity and write about topics you’re actually interested in. You should never feel like you need to force yourself to write about a certain topic to fit a mold or come off a certain way. On the other hand, when it comes to exploring themes you may not have prior knowledge in, make sure you consult a variety of sources that are both novel and credible. Use the resources at your disposal and invest the time needed to develop a solid idea of what you want to convey through your writing. No one wants to read about a complex, niche subject worded in a way that makes you question the author’s competence on that subject. When it comes to finding your own style, I’d highly recommend drawing inspiration from existing authors, researchers, and thought leaders. Sometimes, the best way to start is to observe the techniques and methodology of people who have experience publishing their own work. This will allow you to get a sense of ​​what you like and dislike in certain literary approaches, which will serve as a springboard for experimenting with different styles and, eventually, finding your own.

Have you had any funny or embarrassing moments with TBJ that still make you laugh?

Janne: One mistake that I definitely laugh about now was one of my first experiences writing for TBJ. I remember being so focused on making sure my article was perfect that I spent way too much time overthinking every single sentence.

Looking back, I realize I was treating my first article like it was going to be published in a national newspaper. It obviously wasn't that serious!

But I think it was actually a good lesson for me. When you're new to something, it's easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself because you want to prove that you belong. Eventually, I learned that it's much more important to get your ideas out there, accept feedback, and improve from there.

So now, whenever I see a new writer stressing over their first article, I can definitely relate.

Yue: When I was in first year, I remember being so intimidated by students who occupied leadership positions on campus. I thought that the so-called hierarchy in student associations was to be followed to a T. Upon joining a number of clubs myself, I realized that although the titles are there to assign roles and maintain order internally, it’s not nearly as serious as I made it out to be. It wasn’t until I joined TBJ and Telfer International that I saw firsthand how it was okay to let loose and connect with my fellow club members without formalities. After all, we were all there to have fun and contribute to something bigger than ourselves. Over time, these club teammates became some of my closest advisors and friends. Turns out, student clubs are not only a great way to gain professional skills and ease the transition into your career, but they’re also invaluable in helping you build a strong network of like-minded individuals. You know how the saying goes—your network is your net worth. Believe it or not, I even have colleagues who entered long-term relationships through university clubs! Not to say that everything has to be about romance, of course. My point is, I can now laugh at myself for being so stiff back then, because I managed to do a full 180. Funnily enough, I’ve gone from feeling insecure and out of place to preaching to younger students how important it is to relax and show up as your fullest self.

I’d like to thank both of our Co-Presidents for taking the time to sit down with me and share their past experiences and plans for the year ahead.

Their priorities are clear. From strengthening TBJ’s internal structure and bilingual presence to creating more opportunities for students to write, connect, and get involved, Janne and Yue are focused on building a stronger and more sustainable club.

But if there is one thing to take away from our conversation, it is that TBJ is built by the students who choose to be a part of it. With a fresh team, new ideas, and an entire academic year ahead of us, the next chapter of TBJ is only just beginning.