4 min read

When Matthew Stephano made the decision to step away from high-performance roles at Tesla and Apple, it wasn’t burnout—it was curiosity. Curiosity about people, purpose and about what it means to be a truly global leader. That same curiosity took him to the IE Brown Executive MBA and on to a job in procurement leadership.

Let’s find out why he made the switch.

Why choose the IE Brown Executive MBA?

Before starting the IE Brown Executive MBA—which comprises of online learning and residential periods—Matthew had spent over six years working in “cushy Silicon Valley jobs”. A supply chain manager, Matthew took part in long hours of tough decision making at Tesla, before going on to lead projects with real impact on Apple’s carbon footprint and accessibility goals. “I’ll forever be grateful to my colleagues at Apple and particularly at Tesla for taking a chance on a very green kid from the Midwest,” says Matthew. “[With Tesla] I always got to leave the office feeling like we were making a difference in the world’s transition a sustainable future. My time at Apple was no different.”

There came a point, though, where it felt like a change of direction was necessary. So Matthew started looking into executive education. “Amongst the numerous Executive MBA programs out there, the IE Brown Executive MBA stood out to me for its global perspective, creative hybrid format and its world-class reputation,” he says.

“I was particularly attracted to the Executive MBA program for the opportunity to grow alongside peers with 10-20+ years in the workforce and to learn from their wealth of experience.”

The IE Brown Executive MBA was an opportunity for Matthew to develop his leadership skills among a diverse cohort. With the chance to trade life lessons with top professionals through a curriculum devised by leading institutions—IE University and Brown University—the choice was clear. Matthew took a step back from the breakneck pace of innovation and got back to studying again.

Getting the best out of the IE Brown Executive MBA curriculum

For 15 months, Matthew enjoyed a rigorous part-time program which he initially completed alongside full-time work. The coursework delved into core business disciplines like finance, marketing and operations, while also emphasizing inclusive leadership, strategic foresight and the role of business in driving social impact and sustainability. The curriculum is an almagamation of two perspectives: IE Business School‘s expertise on the marketplace, and Brown University’s insights on the humanities. By its conclusion, graduates are adept at using business as a force for good.

The program is also unique because of its blended nature; it combines online classes five in-person residential sessions in Madrid, Providence and Cape Town.

For Matthew, one of the program’s most powerful moments found him in South Africa.

“My team was welcomed with open arms into the homes and businesses of a local youth rugby team,” says Matthew. “Busy Bee RFC is the oldest all black rugby club in South Africa and in a lot of ways serves as the heart and soul of its Langa Township community. Despite minimal financial resources, shared facilities and vastly inferior equipment to its competitors, the club manages to compete through sheer determination and love of the game. Being able to engage with this community even for a short period of time and to make strategic recommendations that make a real impact to children’s health, education, and purpose is one of the most important things I’ve ever been a part of.”

Honing skills for procurement leadership

Matthew gained a distinctive blend of skills from the IE Brown Executive MBA that have reshaped his approach to leadership and collaboration. For one, he learned the crucial difference between managing within a traditional hierarchy and leading without a fixed framework. This taught him to leverage his unique strengths while learning from others, fostering self-confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome—an invaluable skill in any high-performance setting.

The program’s integration of rigorous business training with a strong emphasis on the humanities gave Matthew a broader, more nuanced perspective.

This combination deepened his understanding of leadership beyond just strategy and operations. Now, Matthew better appreciates the human and ethical dimensions that influence decision-making and organizational culture. The exposure to diverse managerial styles within his talented cohort pushed him to step outside his comfort zone and develop greater adaptability and emotional intelligence. This would ultimately became very useful for his role in procurement leadership.

Matthew’s experience in Madrid further expanded his worldview, immersing him in a rich cultural and intellectual environment that complemented his academic growth. In fact, the city helped inspire Matthew for a relocation to New Zealand.

Life after the IE Brown Executive MBA

For Matthew, the path beyond the IE Brown Executive MBA began with a bold detour: a year-long sabbatical exploring over 30 countries with his wife. During this time, he developed his understanding of leadership through unique encounters—Sherpas in the Himalayas, tradesmen in Morocco, priests in Europe: “Leading with empathy isn’t just good business—it’s good humanity.”

Now based in Auckland at Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Matthew is channeling that global perspective into sustainable innovation in procurement leadership. With a focus on procurement strategy, he’s applying lessons from the program to real-world challenges, such as reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. His role combines operational efficiency with plans for long-term environmental and social impact.

Now, for those considering the program, Matthew has a key piece of advice: lean into discomfort. “Growth happens when you’re not the smartest person in the room.”