Kateryna Sporysh came to Centennial College with a clear sense of direction. She knew she wanted to build a career at the intersection of business and technology. She also knew she wanted a Canadian education that would prepare her for a global future. Today, she is the Associate Vice President of Client Relations at CyberFortis Consulting, a cybersecurity firm working with governments and major enterprises across multiple continents. This is the story of how Centennial College helped her build the skills to thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic industries.
What Business Administration at Centennial College Was Like
Before she ever stepped into a classroom at Centennial, Kateryna already had a vision for her career.
"I always knew that I wanted a strong Business Administration foundation, and also that I wanted to study in Canada," Kateryna says. "Centennial stood out to me because it combines practical career focus in learning with solid business fundamentals. The Business School’s reputation gave me confidence that I would be well-prepared for a global career."
Centennial’s learning model was exactly what she was looking for. From the moment she started her program, Kateryna found herself in a learning environment designed to build the real-world skills today’s employers expect.
"Generally, this program is very applied," she says. "Presentations, group projects and case-based assignments were a regular part of experience. Those activities trained me to think critically, communicate clearly and work effectively, especially in diverse teams. That's exactly the skills you need when you move into client-facing and leadership roles."
"What I really appreciated most," she says, "was access to people, and perspectives from the professors, classmates, alumni and industry guests. It all created such a welcoming environment for building meaningful connections." These experiences were essential foundations for the fast-moving cybersecurity world she would soon enter.
How a Centennial College Student Went from Classes to a Career
"I always believed in moving fast, taking responsibility early and learning by doing," Kateryna says. "While studying, I immersed myself in business school case studies. I took on part-time roles that helped me to cultivate a strategic mindset, and understand how organizations operate. By the time I graduated, I had already built a strong foundation in business thinking and real-world execution. Before finishing my program, I began exploring opportunities globally."
Her proactive approach and the strong foundation she gained at Centennial led her to a career that aligned with her long-term goals.
"I was very intentional about finding a company where I could contribute to building something meaningful," she says, "not just to hold a job, but to help shape a vision. And that eventually led me to CyberFortis."
What CyberFortis Is, and How Kateryna Got There
CyberFortis is a global cybersecurity and compliance consultancy supporting governments, public agencies, universities, and major enterprises. Its CEO, Padala Abhishek Naidu, explains their mission:
"We help the governments and large enterprises stay secure and compliant as they operate across different countries with different cybersecurity rules and threats," Padala says. "For example, even for a college, you have a lot of privacy laws, regulations and risks to cover. We help you do that. We help you start from the very basics of your risk assessment to the highest compliance."
He recalls exactly what stood out about Kateryna during the hiring process.
"Ms. Sporysh initially applied through LinkedIn for a consultant role in client relations while she was in her final semester back in back in Canada,” he explains. “What distinguished her immediately was the maturity of her of her profile. Strong academic standing at the college, her work experience included a very diverse set of backgrounds, and a clear articulation of career direction."
"During pre-screening," he continues, "she shared that she would be relocating to Europe for a while, which aligned directly with our expansion road map. We onboarded her remotely, and within weeks it, was quite evident that that we had identified a very exemplary talent."
How She Moved Up in the Company
Kateryna’s growth at CyberFortis was rapid and well-earned.
"I originally joined as a consultant focused on client relations," Kateryna says. "I was immediately exposed to high-impact, high-visibility work. I supported our presence at GITEX, and Expand North Star, the world's largest technology conferences in Dubai, where I played an active role."
"Leadership recognized the value I was delivering. Within months, I was promoted to an Associate Vice President of Client Relations," she says. Today, her responsibilities are extensive and global in scope.
"My role is very dynamic and client-facing," she says about her current position. "I manage relationships with enterprise clients, including the UK Ministry of Defense, Crown Commercial Service, and the Cabinet Office. That's organizations at the highest level of governance and enterprise."
"It is mix of strategic relationship management, execution and business development," she says. "It’s exactly kind of high-impact work I was looking for."
Her CEO offers strong praise.
"She's not simply meeting the expectations," Padala says about her, "I'd say she's redefining the standard for the role."
How Centennial College Prepared Her for Success
Looking back, Kateryna says Centennial played a defining role in shaping her abilities and her confidence.
"Centennial was major inflection point for me," Kateryna says. "It gave me technical knowledge, yes, but just as importantly, it gave me the confidence to operate in diverse global environments. I learned how to navigate different cultures, and contribute to teams and challenges with a business mindset. Many of the skills I use today with clients, conversations and internal discussions were first developed and tested in classrooms and projects at Centennial." Her CEO agrees that her education played a major role in her readiness.
"She operated with accountability and ownership from day one," Padala says. "Centennial produced a graduate equipped not just to participate in global business, but to lead within it."
Looking to Follow in Her Footsteps? Here Is Their Advice
"Be very clear about the kind of person and professional you want to become," Kateryna says, "and then follow your vision as early as possible. And don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Say yes to experiences, even just small ones, because they compound, and that's where the growth happens. Stay curious, take risks, build relationships, and remember that your life is something you actively design, not something that just happens to you."
"My advice would be very simple," Padala adds. "Step outside your comfort zone. We all start with the same cognitive capacity. What differentiates outcomes is discipline and willingness to do the work. Miss Sporysh supported herself with three-part time roles while managing her education and simultaneously building the skills required to work for a global enterprise. If she could do that, I would say anyone can, provided they're willing to commit."
Start Your Journey at Centennial College
Kateryna’s rise at CyberFortis shows what becomes possible when determination is supported by the right education. Centennial College’s Business Administration program is designed to help students develop strategic thinking, communication skills, and a global mindset. These are the same strengths that helped Kateryna excel in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
If you are ready to begin your own path toward a meaningful career, Centennial College is ready to help you take the first step.
By: Anthony Geremia