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When Colin Baril, ’98 BCom, first spotted Sonia Aggarwal, ’97 BCom, in the Tory Atrium in 1993, he wasn’t expecting the beginning of a life-long partnership.

At the time, he was selling tickets for a student business seminar, and Sonia was on her way to class. Admittedly a bit introverted, Colin swallowed his nerves and decided to introduce himself. 

“Right off the bat, she was interesting to me,” says Colin. “So I asked for her name and tried to convince her to come back after class and buy a ticket.”

To Colin’s delight, Sonia was sold.  

“I remember hearing my name echo through the atrium,” says Sonia. “I was impressed that he remembered it!” The two joined dozens of students in the seminar, learning the basics of business etiquette in the 90s: how to shake hands properly, change acetate slides on overhead projectors and master table manners.

It wasn’t until a year later that their interest in each other grew, when Colin offered Sonia a ride home after class. “I told her it was on the way,” laughs Colin. “It wasn’t — she was living in Sherwood Park, and I was on the south side. But that was my signal to her that I wanted to spend more time together.”

Nearly three decades later, the Barils are celebrating 25 years of marriage, three children and careers in business that have taken them across Canada and the globe.

A world of opportunities 

After graduating from the ß÷ßäÉçÇø School of Business, Colin and Sonia started collecting stamps on their passports, accepting internships in Bangalore, India, with AIESEC, a non-profit they had both volunteered and worked for during their undergrads.

Following the internship, the two travelled through India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, eventually settling in Ottawa, Canada, where Sonia began her long-standing career in public service. For nearly 25 years, she has steered various teams and programs within the federal government, including with the Canadian International Development Agency, Global Affairs Canada and the Privy Council Office.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been so long,” she says. “It hasn’t felt like it — I’ve had so many unique opportunities to initiate and design programs or manage development projects in different countries. I went to Afghanistan to explore opportunities to support health programming, attended the G7 Summit in 2018 when Canada hosted it in Charlevoix and started a new team at the Privy Council Office to support Cabinet ministers.”

Sonia’s work in international development continued to offer more opportunities to explore new countries, including India, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras — where she, Colin and their children lived for four years. 

“This is what’s so great about a business degree — it opens up a world of possibilities,” says Sonia. “While Colin and I graduated with the same degree, we ended up on very different career paths.

Colin’s path switched between non-profit work and strategy consulting, capitalizing on his knack for fund development and strategic partnership building. He spent over 13 years in board and volunteer roles with AIESEC Canada, a non-profit organization that connects youth through internships, where he excelled in alumni relations, eventually leading him to work with post-secondary institutions. 

While chapters of their careers have presented new opportunities, work locations and demands, the Barils say the key to making their relationship work through it all is a little give and take. 

“We take turns leading and supporting,” says Sonia. “And learn to adapt our life — whether it’s doing long-distance for a period of time or moving our family to a different country — to make sure each of us has the chance to pursue things that excite us. It’s all about finding the right balance.”

This year, they’re navigating life in two cities again. While Sonia is based in Ottawa with their children, Colin is establishing himself in his new role in Edmonton, as the U of A’s director of alumni relations and executive director of the Alumni Association. 

Setting foot on campus nearly three decades later, nostalgia and gratitude flood Colin. “All my wonderful memories have come right back,” he says. “And of course, I couldn’t be more appreciative of Sonia holding down the fort in Ottawa while I pursue this part of my career.”

The power of connection 

For the Barils, the U of A was more than a place to earn a degree — it was where they built relationships that have shaped their lives.

“We’ve seen firsthand how powerful making connections in university can be,” Colin says. “Whether it’s introducing yourself to someone new or joining a student group.”

Beyond their romantic partnership, many of the couple’s former classmates have turned into colleagues and life-long friends.

Numerous opportunities presented to Colin and Sonia over their careers started with a U of A grad connection — and there is data to support it. According to the recent Alumni Impact Report conducted by Ernst & Young in 2023, U of A alumni have founded over 75,000 profit and non-profit companies and support 922,000 jobs annually. 

Outside of business, the Barils also regularly stay in touch with their former classmates-turned-friends. “No matter where we are in life, we make an effort to stay connected,” says Sonia. “Whether it’s a quick text in a group chat or a trip to spend some quality time together.”

For Colin, celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this past August while settling into his role at the U of A feels like a full-circle moment. “I’m grateful to come back to the place that has shaped so many parts of our lives,” he says. “And for the opportunity to keep the momentum going.”