November 6th, 2026 | 2-minute read

Laurentian Alumnus Ralph Ahrbeck Returns for November Alumni Speaker Series

Long before leading multi-billion-dollar global business transformations across Europe and Asia, Ralph Ahrbeck (Bachelor of Commerce ’82) discovered his passion for business at his family’s Continental Café in Sudbury. More than four decades later, the Laurentian University graduate is returning to his alma mater as the keynote speaker for the upcoming Alumni Speaker Series on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

November 6, 2026— Long before leading multi-billion-dollar global business transformations across Europe and Asia, Ralph Ahrbeck (Bachelor of Commerce ’82) discovered his passion for business at his family’s Continental Café in Sudbury. More than four decades later, the Laurentian University graduate is returning to his alma mater as the keynote speaker for the upcoming Alumni Speaker Series on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

Ralph’s career serves as a global business masterclass. After earning his Honours Commerce degree at Laurentian and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Ralph embarked on an international career spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. His senior leadership roles included co-Chief Executive Officer of Kraft’s $1 billion Japanese joint venture in Tokyo, transforming Roche Consumer Health’s $750 million European business across 12 countries, and International Business Director with Alliance Boots in the United Kingdom. In 2014, he returned to Japan as Global Chief Strategy Officer and Board Member of beauty giant Shiseido, a company with $8.6 billion in sales and 26,000 employees, later taking responsibility for the company’s China business based in Shanghai.

In 2016, Ralph founded Arqus Advisory, an international strategy and brand consultancy based in Germany’s Black Forest. With his extensive international experience, he works with a range of companies to develop growth strategies, build brands, and expand into international markets.

Ralph’s career has reinforced the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and building trust across cultures—what he calls "cultural dexterity". His guiding principle reflects the unexpected turns that shaped his journey: "The opportunities that change your life are often the ones you feel least prepared for."

Titled “From Laurentian to the Global Stage,” his session will explore the experiences, opportunities, lessons—and a few missteps along the way—that took Ralph from Sudbury to leadership positions around the world, and what his journey can teach the next generation of business leaders.

Event Details and Hybrid Access

Alumni Speaker Series: From Laurentian U to the Global Stage – a Suitcase and 40 Years of Lessons, Adventures & a Few Missteps Along the Way

Date: Wednesday, November 18th 2026 at 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Location: Jim Fielding Innovation and Commercialization Space or join us via Zoom
Audience: Everyone, Faculty of Management, Students, Staff, Faculty
Click here to Register