When Alexander Grynszpan (iBBA ’17, JD/MBA ’21) first stepped onto Keele Campus, it was with a clear vision to merge his passion for law with his interest in finance. Growing up in a multilingual household, he dreamed of a career with an international footprint. The International Bachelor of Business Administration (iBBA) at the Schulich School of Business was the perfect fit, offering internationally-focused core business courses with the cross-cultural awareness required to live and work abroad. His undergrad studies were followed by a joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) program, which presented Alexander with a wealth of innovative courses, resources and individualized mentoring and was the ideal opportunity to merge business and law in a way that would help him launch his career.
Throughout his undergraduate program, Alexander took part in an exchange in Austria and an internship with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Argentina. His focus and dedication led to an internship in a New York firm, where he eventually found himself handling high-profile capital market transactions for large public companies.
“Starting in New York is not a very common path,” says Alexander. “I spent a lot of my first summer reaching out for coffee chats and trying to meet as many people as possible, asking a lot of questions and learning about their practices. I secured my internship for my second summer of law school with a New York firm and after I graduated, I took both the New York and Ontario bar exams.”
For Alexander, being part of the York community has always meant more than just academics,
“Aside from the very strong academics, York provided me with a community that allowed me to imagine these paths for myself,” says Alexander. “I received a tremendous amount of support from upper years and from alumni. Going forward, I seek to be that for the next generation of students. I try to be accessible to those who are interested in pursuing similar paths. As a corporate lawyer, I work with public companies that are raising large pools of capital, but also find time to dedicate to pro-bono work. Having grown up in Latin America, I find the hours spent on causes that relate to immigration and asylum-seeking very rewarding.”
During his time at York, Alexander served as co-president of the JD/MBA Students’ Association. This role helped him build lasting relationships that now continue to provide both professional and personal support.
“Getting involved outside of the classroom is so important,” says Alexander. “Those experiences help you stay energized and connected, and they often turn into lifelong networks. Students at York are very driven and academically inclined. Sometimes, people underestimate the importance of being a well-rounded person. Getting to know your own class and your community, is something that's going to pay off tremendously in the long run.”
Looking ahead, Alexander is committed to continued growth. Whether it’s navigating emerging technologies like blockchain or artificial intelligence (AI) or new areas of law and business, Alexander is excited to see where the journey will take him.
“In the legal and financial world, things evolve quickly,” says Alexander. “I’ve learned that it’s not about having a fixed goal but about giving myself the tools to adapt as new opportunities arise.”
Despite being based in New York, Alexander has never lost touch with the York community. From attending alumni events to staying connected with professors, he remains an active part of the York network. “York has been such an important part of my journey, I’m always looking for ways to give back.”
Alexander Grynszpan is a 2025 recipient of York University’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 which recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni 29 years old and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally. View the 2025 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.