When an educational program provides a transformative experience, it creates a strong network of unofficial ambassadors — alumni and current students — who felt the impact of the program’s return on investment firsthand and want to encourage others to do the same. In the case of Broad’s Executive MBA program, these ambassadors are driven by their professional growth. Nearly half of EMBA students earn a promotion before graduating, and many others experience substantial career growth after completing the program.
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Elisio Santos (center) during the EMBA graduation ceremony, celebrating a milestone achievement.
Elisio Santos, a 2024 graduate of the EMBA program, works in the automotive industry within the finance and supply chain field. Santos credits the EMBA program with transforming his career and leadership abilities. While in the program, and now as an alum, he has referred numerous colleagues, coworkers, mentees, and friends. His time as an EMBA student changed his outlook on leadership, collaboration, and time management.
“The most valuable skill I learned throughout the program was to be confident in what you know and what you bring to the table,” Santos said. “The program is designed to give you the most up-to-date management techniques and to go a step further to provide you with tools to effectively put them into action right away.”
Santos is an advocate for the program, but his journey was not without struggle. Between being an employee, parent, and student, he had to master time management in a way he hadn’t before. Santos strengthened his transferrable skills by navigating these challenges and enhanced his ability to manage his time intuitively through proactivity and sacrifice.
“The program is designed to give you the most up-to-date management techniques and to go a step further to provide you with tools to effectively put them into action right away.”
He attributes his success as a student to his team. The program strategically places students in teams of four to six individuals with diverse backgrounds and balanced experiences. These teams work together for the duration of the program and act as a support network.
“Your team is your key to succeeding,” he said. “I would not be able to be successful in the program without the support of my team. Be active. Be present. Work with your team and you will get there. Sometimes you will be a little behind and they will help you. Sometimes you will help them. At the end, all of you will succeed together.”
The team-based approach was a standout feature of the program for Santos. He celebrates the collaboration and connections, which create the unique student experience.
“I am grateful for all the hard work we put together during the program,” he said. “I could not ask for a better school, learning environment, and peers.”
Santos’ time as an EMBA student fueled his passion to refer others to the program. He believes in the value of the program’s practical learning through teamwork — he wants others to find the same impactful experience he found from opportunities as an EMBA student.
Learn more about the EMBA student experience here.
In Other News:
Broad alumna Evelyn Kovacs broke barriers in business and continues to empower future leaders through philanthropy.
Through teamwork, networking, and real-world learning, the Broad EMBA prepared James Costello for career success.
From business engagements to cultural immersion and lessons learned, MBA student Nthanda Manduwi recaps a trip to Spain.
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