Melissa Bisonó is currently pursuing the Global Executive MBA at IE Business School while serving as Commercial Director at Macrotech Dominican Republic, where she leads the commercial team and is responsible for driving sustainable business growth in the country. “The company is currently in an expansion process, and I’m in charge of everything related to the Dominican territory,” she explains. Her responsibilities span marketing, sales, and participation in organizational committees that influence broader business decisions.
Her academic path began in marketing, followed by postgraduate studies in public relations and corporate communication. Yet her professional life took a different direction. “Once I entered the workforce, I actually never did PR. I always leaned more toward marketing and commercial areas.” Over time, she worked in parallel with marketing and sales teams before overseeing both under a single commercial structure.
After three years in the role, she began thinking ahead. “I understand that in the coming years, being a commercial director will no longer represent a challenge for me.” Her goal is to move into a regional position or assume a broader role with stronger financial and investment oversight. To do that, she knew she needed to strengthen her foundations in finance and business sustainability.
Why the Global Executive MBA at IE Business School?
The global dimension was decisive. As Macrotech expands, Melissa sees firsthand how complex it is to align teams across borders. “We see how challenging it is to create an organizational culture across multiple regions – different cultures within a single culture, so to speak.”
She was drawn to the program’s balance between finance, strategy and leadership. “From my point of view, I need to upskill a bit more in finance, business, and everything that the MBA program covers – which is precisely why I chose it.” The leadership component was equally important, particularly given her responsibility for integrating teams and driving performance.
The composition of the cohort reinforced that choice. “You can see that global vision in the forums and even in the September residential.” Different perspectives surface quickly in discussions, shaping how participants think about negotiation, risk and growth.
What does balancing a full executive role with an MBA really look like?
Melissa is based five hours behind most of her classmates. Coordinating group work across time zones adds complexity to an already demanding role. “There are 40 people in the cohort, so coordinating forums, the time difference, and reaching consensus for group work has also been a challenge.”
The timing has not been simple. Year-end closing and planning for the next business cycle coincide with the first months of the program. “I already had a full workload, and adding everything the master’s requires – especially at the end of the year – has been tough.” She is still refining her rhythm. “I haven’t found the balance yet, but we’re getting there.”
She questions the idea that executives should wait for perfect conditions. “Honestly, I don’t think the ‘perfect moment’ to do an MBA ever really arrives.” The commitment is substantial, but so is the long-term return.
How quickly can you apply what you learn?
The impact was visible within months. Melissa is currently collaborating with teams in Mexico and the Dominican Republic as part of the company’s integration efforts. “The peer coaching and leadership frameworks have helped me structure conversations with more intention and clarity, especially when aligning teams with different perspectives.” The frameworks influence how she structures conversations and navigates alignment.
Her participation in the Finance Committee has also evolved. “The program has strengthened my financial foundation, which allows me to engage in those discussions with greater confidence and a more structured approach.” The technical content has sharpened her analytical lens and how she approaches long-term planning.
Even after completing only a few modules, she already sees the difference. “More than anything, I notice it in the questions I’m asking. I’m challenging assumptions more, both in my own analysis and in conversations with my team.” For her, that shift in questioning is already improving how she leads and makes decisions.
What does a global cohort actually teach you?
Cultural contrasts became clear during negotiation exercises. “In one exercise with Elin, who is from Norway, I noticed how differently we approached the situation. Her style was very structured, while I was pushing to move quickly and cover everything at once.” The experience highlighted how national and professional cultures shape decision-making styles.
A similar experience emerged with a Saudi classmate. “From his perspective, negotiation tends to be more indirect, while my instinct is to approach it more directly.” Experiencing those differences in class provides valuable preparation for real-world cross-border negotiations.
Beyond the academic setting, the exposure is personal as well as professional. “It’s enriching to connect socially with people from different cultures and perspectives.” She views the cohort as preparation for regional leadership in a business environment that rarely operates within a single cultural framework.
When should you consider an MBA?
Melissa believes many executives reach a plateau without immediately recognizing it. “At some point you get so absorbed by the responsibilities of an executive role that you adopt the company’s culture, but you’re no longer adding value – you’re not bringing solutions that lead to change or efficiency.”
For professionals who begin questioning their trajectory, she recommends expanding perspective. “If you find yourself in that moment – or if you’re wondering whether this is really what you want to continue doing – that’s when I’d recommend broadening your vision. And an MBA creates the space to do that.”
Returning to subjects she once mastered has also brought renewed clarity. “Seeing them now from an academic standpoint, 15 years after graduating, is a completely different approach.” For Melissa, the decision was not about changing direction overnight. It was about strengthening the foundation for the next stage of leadership.
Benjamin is the editor of Uncover IE. His writing is featured in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Vol. 19, The Primer and Moonflake Press. Benjamin provided translation for “FalseStuff: La Muerte de las Musas”, winner of Best Theatre Show at the Max Awards 2024.
Benjamin was shortlisted for the Bristol Old Vic Open Sessions 2016 and the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2023.
