Esade will enhance its presence in Madrid with a new campus in the Mirasierra district. Set to open in early 2025, this state-of-the-art facility will span more than 4,800 square meters and feature advanced technology and energy-efficient design. The campus will house classrooms, teamwork rooms, multipurpose spaces, an auditorium, and areas for virtual reality and immersive experiences. It will serve primarily Esade's Executive Education programs, including its Executive MBA Program. 

The Esade Executive MBA in Madrid will be available in two formats: Online, blended format with live online classes on Fridays or Saturdays, plus four intensive weeks, and an Executive MBA Monthly, entirely in English with classes one weekend per month.

With these two formats, Esade aims to attract professionals from Spain, EMEA, and Latin America who seek a top EMBA Program that allows them to balance their professional and personal commitments with their academic pursuits. For more information, visit here.

The College of Charleston will welcome the first cohort of its new accelerated Executive MBA Program for working professionals in January 2025.

The inaugural cohort will be an exclusive opportunity for 25 rising executives to earn their MBA while benefitting from the influential business network in Charleston. The only one of its kind in South Carolina, the program offers students the skills and knowledge to excel in executive roles, while also accommodating their demanding schedules.

The program’s hybrid format takes into account the working professionals’ need for flexibility without compromising academic rigor. The program takes 18 months to complete, and the comprehensive curriculum covers topics such as leadership, strategic management, and executive decision making.

The new program boasts many features at an affordable, all-inclusive cost, including:

• Executive coaching in partnership with Wisdom Works, a social enterprise that works with leaders to embrace and advance human wellbeing
• Executive communication
• An integrated capstone course
• An international immersion experience in Panama

For more information, visit go.charleston.edu/emba or contact emba@cofc.edu.

The ETH Zurich and the University of St. Gallen celebrated a major milestone for their innovative emba X program in 2023: Graduating the program’s first intake.

“emba X has boosted my own skills, and also the understanding of how things connect to each other,” says Daniela Schomaker, alumna of emba X1. “How sustainability, for example, connects to business. It’s not an ‘or’ connection.”

Bringing together a Swiss business and engineering school, the Executive MBA ETH HSG aims to pair technology and leadership with sustainability and social impact. MERIT Summit in Paris recently recognized this approach with its Innovation in Higher Education Award. The University of St. Gallen plans to continue its successful partnership with ETH Zurich to support the emba X program.

In April 2024, EMBA students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) embarked on a
transformative journey with a focus on sustainability to Argentina and Chile as part of their international business immersion studies.

This experience not only broadened their understanding of global markets but also fostered invaluable connections with industry leaders. Christopher Reina, PhD, MBA Programs faculty advisor, and Katie Gilstrap, associate professor, led the global trip.

Students immersed themselves in the rich cultures of Buenos Aires, Bariloche, and Santiago, soaking in the history, art, and cuisine that define these dynamic cities. They met with top executives from leading companies across various industries and visited firms and organizations from the energy, financial, IT, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors, learning from a diverse array of businesses that included Globant, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Aguasin. Executives of these organizations provided indispensable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in the South American market and showcased their work in sustainability. Students also visited Patagonia to learn firsthand from experts on how Argentina manages the vast region balancing human needs, wildlife, and sustainable growth.

The Harbert College of Business at Auburn University recently appointed Frank Oprandy as its executive director of graduate executive programs.

In that role, Oprandy will oversee the Executive MBA, Physician’s Executive MBA, and Master of Real Estate Development degree programs.

“Having led our Graduate Career Services office for 14 years, Frank is exceptionally positioned to enhance our programs and introduce innovative offerings suited to today’s executives,” says Michael Wesson, associate dean of graduate and executive programs. Oprandy succeeds Kim Kuerten, who served in the role for 25 years before becoming the administrative director of Auburn’s new Institute for Real Estate Development.

Oprandy will  work closely with faculty and staff to continue the program's legacy of excellence and innovation in graduate executive education. Acknowledging current challenges in executive business education, such as shifting expectations and increased competition, Oprandy emphasized engaging with faculty, alumni, and students to stay responsive to market needs. “Our students are the tip of the spear, so they can tell us what they need to excel in their work,” he says.

Since joining Harbert College in 2010, Oprandy has significantly impacted the Graduate Career Services office, enhancing career development for MBA and graduate executive students. His leadership has fostered strong employer relationships and enriched student hiring through various initiatives.

Oprandy received his master’s and Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering and an EMBA from Auburn. He also served as an aviation officer and helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm.

Fuqua School of Business at Duke University selected Mary Frances Luce as interim dean for a two-year term, which started Aug. 1.

The Robert A. Ingram Professor of Business Administration, Luce joined the Fuqua faculty in 2004 and also received her Ph.D. in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Duke in 1994.

“I am delighted that Mary Frances Luce has agreed to serve as interim dean of Fuqua,” says Alec D. Gallimore, provost “Mary Frances is an outstanding leader who has earned respect and admiration within the Fuqua community and across the university. Her deep knowledge of Fuqua will be an asset that enables her to move the school in new directions over the next two years, and I look forward to seeing her vision implemented.”

Luce brings a strong track record of academic leadership to her new position. At Fuqua, she spent six years as associate dean and senior associate dean of the faculty. Since February 2023, she has been an associate vice president in Duke’s Office for Research & Innovation.

Luce also recently served as interim executive vice chancellor for Duke Kunshan University (DKU). She will continue to serve on the Board of Trustees of DKU, which oversees strategic planning, maintains fiduciary duties, and provides strategic direction to the joint venture university in China.

“I am honored to serve my Fuqua colleagues and the Duke community in this interim role,” says Luce. “Due to the dedication and excellence of our current academic leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, I believe Fuqua is extremely well-positioned for the future. I am excited to re-engage with Fuqua stakeholders in my new capacity, and I will strive to take a fresh perspective on Fuqua’s many options and possibilities. Our Team Fuqua spirit has always been a secret weapon, and I am excited to lead this team of extraordinary scholars, professionals and learners.”

Luce has enjoyed a 30-year career as a specialist in behavioral marketing, with a particular interest in the role of negative emotion in decision-making. She was president of the Association for Consumer Research and co-editor of behavioral marketing's flagship journal, the Journal of Consumer Research. Before joining the Duke faculty, Luce spent a decade on the faculty of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

She succeeds Bill Boulding, who has served as Fuqua’s dean since 2011 and will continue as the J.B. Fuqua Professor of Business Administration. “I want to thank Bill for his remarkable record of leadership and service to Duke,” says Gallimore. “His many achievements as dean have transformed Fuqua and created a strong foundation on which to continue to build in the future.”

The University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business marks an exciting milestone in 2024, as the college’s Executive MBA for Strategic Leadership (EMBA-SL) celebrates its 30th anniversary.

EMBA-SL teaches executive competencies that empower students to grow their organizations and become more effective leaders. Since welcoming its first cohort in 1994, EMBA-SL has graduated more than 600 students, spanning numerous industries and functions. From a renowned veterinarian to a theme park president, the program’s alumni are making an impact in organizations throughout the country – and in some cases – the globe.

To commemorate the accomplishment, a group of 30 EMBA-SL alumni, called the “30@30,” are telling their leadership stories and sharing the program’s influence on their careers. Alumni talk about lessons learned in their first jobs and highlight mentors and faculty members who helped them grow, offering a behind-the-scenes look at these outstanding executives’ personal, educational, and professional growth through the years.

Read their stories on the 30@30 website.

In 2024, INSEAD celebrates two decades of redefining leadership. Powered by cutting-edge research and teaching excellence, as well as by INSEAD’s unique tradition of cultural diversity, the INSEAD GEMBA is recognized today as one of the foremost and most prestigious senior leadership development programs worldwide. Learn more.

The executive degree programs at the Thunderbird School of Global Management blend global business, public policy, and international affairs to help students develop a global mindset and a deep commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide.

Thunderbird’s Executive Master of Global Management (EMGM) Program offers a flexible way for full-time working professionals to obtain this international business graduate degree in only one year by attending in-person classes once a month at Thunderbird’s brand new state-of-the-art global headquarters in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

Thunderbird’s one-year Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management (EMAGAM) helps students build expertise in leading systems and new enterprises, as well as managing complexity, disruptive innovation, digital transformation, and collaborative problem-solving. Based in Washington, D.C., the program supports mid-career professionals from all sectors with specializations in global business or global public policy.

Thunderbird’s one-year, one-of-kind Executive Master of Global Management with a specialization in Space Leadership, Business, and Policy offers executive management expertise for professionals pursuing executive careers in commercial spaceflight, defense and civil aerospace, AI and big data, and next-generation manufacturing.

Founder and CEO of Maryville Consulting Group, Joe Blomker received the 2023 Dean’s Medal from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. The Dean’s Medal honors people who have contributed time, service, and dedication to the school.

At Washington University, Blomker has served on the Technology Advisory Committee and on Olin’s National Council. He also has contributed to the St. Louis community. A member of the Regional Business Council of St. Louis, he was a founding chair of St. Louis Social Venture Partners. He also served on the board of Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School. He completed his EMBA Program in 1990.

Dr. Anne Marie McKenzie-Brown, a current candidate in the Executive MBA Program, received the 2024 Executive Women of Goizueta (EWG) Scholarship from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.

The school awards the EWG Scholarship annually to women who exemplify leadership, professional excellence, and a commitment to advancing women in business. A distinguished physician and leader in pain management, Dr. McKenzie-Brown embodies the values and vision of this award demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to both her profession and community. Her impressive career and tireless advocacy for equitable healthcare access serves as an inspiration to aspiring female leaders within the Goizueta community and beyond.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. McKenzie-Brown is actively involved in mentoring and empowering women in medicine. Through her work, she continues to foster professional growth and support the next generation of female leaders.

“I am proud to have been involved in developing the careers of many female faculty, first in our division and now in the department,” says Dr. McKenzie-Brown, currently professor and vice chair of professional development at Emory University School of Medicine. “My desire is to give back the lessons that I have learned. I want to help clear the path for other women leaders.”

Learn more about the award here.

The Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University recently launched a hybrid format for its EMBA Program. Students will continue to meet twice a month, with one weekend on campus and the second weekend online (synchronous). Students can choose to meet with their classmates on campus during their remote weekend.

The program will continue to offer workshops during on-campus weekends, as well as three immersion trips regionally, nationally, and globally. EMBA students also can choose six units in elective courses during their EMBA Program, allowing them the opportunity to explore their interests. 

Brian Cameron, associate dean for Professional Graduate Programs and Executive Education, Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University, and Whynde Kuehn, founder and managing director of S2E Transformation, co-authored a recently published book, The Execution Challenge: Delivering Great Strategy at Scale.

A result of years of research, consulting, and teaching strategic planning and strategy execution professionals, the book explores the application of the strategic business architecture discipline for strategy execution and transformation at a massive scale.

In the book, Cameron and Kuehn focus on the often-missing “how” of strategy execution, including how to translate strategy and create and maintain an ongoing line-of-sight to execution. The authors focus on a coherent and cohesive approach that brings together all functions and organizational perspectives to effectively execute strategy and leverages the holistic perspective of strategic business architecture to underpin decision-making.

Cameron has led the rapid growth of the Smeal professional graduate portfolio from four master’s programs and one online graduate certificate to an integrated portfolio of 17 master’s programs, an Executive DBA, and 15 online graduate certificates. He also is reorganizing and integrating the non-credit Penn State Executive Educational unit with the Smeal professional graduate programs office and leading a team that researches innovative pedagogical approaches for online and hybrid graduate professional education and non-credit executive education. 

Kuehn is a recognized global thought leader and a pioneer, practitioner, and educator in digital transformation, strategy execution and business architecture. She regularly speaks, writes, and chairs/co-chairs events with a mission to advance best practices and facilitate community and advocacy throughout the globe. She authored the book Strategy to Reality and created Biz Arch Mastery, a dedicated online platform and community that helps professionals master the art and science of business architecture.

Wendy Sanhai, Ph.D. and 2009 graduate of the EMBA Program at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, will serve as an Executive-in-Residence at the school.

In this role, Sanhai will share practical knowledge and successful business experiences with the entire Smith community as one of six Executives-in-Residence. The executives will collaborate with school faculty and administrators to develop strategic partnerships and programs with private industry organizations and the federal government, further advancing the school’s initiatives toward reimagining learning and investing in people and communities.

A senior healthcare executive and specialist leader of Deloitte Consulting’s Strategy and Analytics team, Sanhai leverages more than 25 years of career experience across academia, private industry and the Department of Health and Human Services to assist clients in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and medical device fields.

Among her previous roles, Sanhai served as senior scientific advisor in the Office of the Commissioner at the FDA, where she developed, implemented, and managed large-scale public-private partnerships. She also led negotiations for government contracts and other collaborative agreements on topics related to pediatric safety, cardiology, nanotechnology, and cancer research. 

This new role elevates her long-standing relationship with the Smith School. She shared her experience as a 2024 graduate ceremony commencement speaker and a speaker at the 2021 Women Inspire event, as a member of multiple Smith School boards and advisory committees, as a Senior Executive Education Fellow, and as former chair of the Alumni Advisory Board.

“The experience gained from my academic positions at the Duke School of Medicine and the Smith School will allow me to train the next generation of scientific and business leaders across multiple areas by working collaboratively with global organizations to create and implement innovative solutions for real-world problems,” says Sanhai.

Thanks to a strategic partnership with OBRIZUM, Imperial College Business School will offer its executive education participants personalized learning experiences.

OBRIZUM’s AI-powered adaptive learning platform will assess learners’ comprehension, competence, and confidence with the program content, identifying weaker areas where students require more help and stronger areas where they can move more quickly through the curriculum. Each learner will receive personalized learning analytics.

“By partnering with OBRIZUM, we are taking a significant step forward in our mission to provide cutting-edge, personalized learning experiences,” says David H Brown, director of Executive Education at Imperial College Business School. “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to harness the power of AI technology in revolutionizing professional development. With OBRIZUM’s adaptive learning platform, we aim to empower learners to excel in today’s rapidly changing business landscape, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive.”

IESE Business School in Barcelona and Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) are collaborating on an initiative to facilitate executive training and talent development on the African continent.

Each year, the company will award two grants to students in IESE’s MBA Program and two grants to students in the school’s Master in Management (MiM) program. After graduating and successful completing a period of work experience at the company, recipients will begin a rotational program at the company´s headquarters in Morocco, or in one of its subsidiaries on the continent.

This year, IESE and Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company have awarded the grants to students who have already begun their studies. Both institutions hope that this agreement will serve to attract more African talent to IESE in the coming years, and that it will convince more high-level professionals to choose to pursue their executive career in Africa.

University of Virginia President Jim Ryan recently announced a $5 million commitment from Stephen E. Bachand, a 1963 MBA graduate of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and his wife, Phyllis, to create the Stephen E. Bachand University Professorship, which will focus on business ethics. The university will match the gift for a total investment of $10 million.

“I’m deeply grateful to Stephen and Phyllis Bachand for their generous investment in a University Professorship in business ethics,” says Ryan. “Their gift will help foster vibrant teaching, learning, and research in the field, which will help strengthen ethical business practices in organizations beyond Grounds. It’s a great example of what it means for a University to be both great and good.”

University professorships are awarded to exceptionally distinguished professors who are held in the highest regard by their national and international academic peers, and whose scholarship transcends the boundaries of a particular school or is interdisciplinary in nature. The University’s president and provost will appoint the holder of the Stephen E. Bachand University Professorship.

“UVA’s Darden School of Business has had a transformative impact on me and my career,” says Bachand, former president and chief executive officer of Canadian Tire Corp and long-standing donor. “To this day, I remain inspired by the school’s mission to develop responsible leaders and foster ethical practice in business, and I want to help elevate that critical work. I see the University Professorship as a powerful vehicle to cultivate an enduring legacy of ethical thinking and practice, impacting not just individuals but generations of business leaders and organizations worldwide.”