Firsthand student experiences inside the IE Brown Executive MBA

5 min read

The word “unique” gets thrown around a lot, but the IE Brown Executive MBA truly lives up to the term. The fact that it’s delivered jointly by a world-leading business education institution and a renowned Ivy League university is enough to set the program apart. But its core principles, embedded firmly in the curriculum and approach, prove that business leadership can be a powerful force for good.

The program was developed to reflect the seismic shifts in a landscape characterized by disruptive technologies, globalization and geopolitical uncertainty. Just as significantly, mindsets are changing in the business world, and there’s a growing realization that corporate interests have to serve people and planet alike.

A transformational business leadership program

The IE Brown Executive MBA provides transformational, experiential learning for experienced professionals looking to make a difference. It blends online classes with five residential sessions over 15 months.

However, we always prefer to let our program participants do the talking. So, we sought insight from four members of the current cohort to gain firsthand accounts of their experiences. In short, is the IE Brown Executive MBA worth it?

Honestly, the IE Brown Executive MBA offers many things, but its focus on rethinking how a traditional MBA is structured through the lens of the humanities really sets it apart. –Seamus Hill, Capital Markets Value Stream Lead at Truist

Rethinking traditional MBA programs

Seamus Hill chose the program because he wanted to develop both his leadership skills and business acumen. His professional background lies in tech strategy and advising, and management advice.

As someone who chose the IE Brown Executive MBA because of its focus on the humanities, he describes his experience so far as “fast-paced, but manageable and thought-provoking.” The international exposure all the program participants receive, along with the global vision they gain from it, have already provided takeaways for his day-to-day role.

Seamus also acquired a broader understanding of the macro trends driving markets today, so he has no doubts as to the program’s immediate applicable value: “I especially enjoy my Managerial Economics course as it illustrates how these factors impact the business landscape, which is a key aspect of my work in capital markets.”

A challenge, but is the IE Brown Executive MBA worth it?

Eduardo Paredes has an extensive background in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and virology. His profile doesn’t seem typical for this type of degree, but that only emphasizes the depth and breadth of the program’s appeal.

Indeed, Eduardo had never taken a business class before and admits he found subjects like financial accounting challenging. However, what makes the program so unique for him is its practical focus on innovation and diversity, which he says translates well to the pharmaceutical field. He believes this will serve him well in his future professional ambitions.

“The IE Brown Executive MBA helps set me apart, not only through my technical expertise, but a more practical and operational mastery of company management,” he explains. “By understanding not just the technical needs of an organization but also its business cycles, I will have a stronger impact in my company and drive strategies for success.”

My professional vision is to ascend to a C-suite or senior executive role, fostering sustainable and inclusive growth in every project I undertake. –Andres Lopez, Strategic Pricing Advisor at ExxonMobil

A gateway to the C-suite

For Andrés Lopezlena Ernult, his expertise lies in oil, gas and energy. Handling revenue management for 35 Latin American countries at multinational ExxonMobil, Andres makes no secret of his ambitions to reach the C-suite and sees the IE Brown Executive MBA as the way to further that goal.

Andres urges potential participants to embrace the chance to connect with peers in the program, who he describes as “invaluable.”

As for skills, he cites public speaking as an example of one he has greatly enhanced in the program. “The professor provided insightful tips and introduced public speaking techniques I had never considered before. This has significantly improved my presentation abilities and confidence during meetings with customers, enabling me to communicate more effectively and convincingly.”

Leveraging the IE Brown Executive MBA to make a positive impact

As a tech expert with almost 30 years’ experience across three continents in infrastructure, data management, AI and machine learning, Shailesh Parajapti currently works at finance giant Wells Fargo. He wanted “a well-rounded business perspective with a focus on the humanities” and found it in the IE Brown Executive MBA.

The program’s mix of “intensity and flexibility” works nicely for Shailesh, who calls it “a demanding yet rewarding experience.” Relating it specifically to his area of expertise, he understands that tech transformation often needs effective leadership and communication to navigate change and secure buy-in from stakeholders. Those are takeaways that he sees helping him raise his professional profile even further in future.

After completing the IE Brown Executive MBA, I see myself in a global role where I can build up my international experience. I also hope to tap into the learnings from this program to contribute to society. –Shailesh Pajarapti, Executive Director of Data Science at Wells Fargo

Opening the door to a world of opportunity

It’s clear that current participants of the IE Brown Executive MBA are finding the program not just a positive experience, but a genuinely unique one too. The 2025 intake will feature the added value of personalized coaching from Korn Ferry experts, cementing its position as one of the very best business leadership programs in the world.