No category

17/06/2025

The best is yet to come for the class of 2025.

3 min read

The Executive MBA isn’t just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about being pushed, tested and ultimately transformed. For many in the most recent cohort, this 20-month journey was not only intense, but also profoundly moving. Through academic rigor, cultural diversity and deep connection, these graduates went beyond academic achievement to reframe their personal and professional journeys. 

Facing the challenge

For working professionals balancing careers, families and studies, pursuing an MBA is no small feat. The Executive MBA at IE Business School is designed with these circumstances in mind, allowing candidates the flexibility they need to fulfill their responsibilities while challenging them to grow.

Graduate Angie Manrique expresses it well: “This has been perhaps one of the most demanding and challenging experiences of my life, but without a doubt, the most rewarding.” That sentiment was echoed across the cohort, who collectively embraced the intensity of the program as a vehicle for self-discovery.

“Nothing compares to being in a cohort so diverse in nationality (27 to be precise), gender and background. That’s when the power of diversity truly comes alive,” Moe Negishi.

Hugo Rodrigo Beramendi Ortega describes the transformation in stark terms. “Balancing work, education and personal growth… I’m not just stronger—I’m antifragile.” This resilience, forged through deadlines and deliverables, goes far beyond academic growth. It’s a personal strength that these graduates can use to build successful futures.

For Rami Estephan, the journey was like taming a storm. “The wave that once seemed intimidating—I was now riding it,” he reflects, capturing the confidence that he gained through the program.

Global exposure, real connections

The Executive MBA at IE Business School isn’t confined to a single campus or culture. With residential periods in global hubs around the world, the program is a truly global experience—but the real transformation happens through the people. “Five residential periods across Madrid, Oxford, Singapore and LA…” Angie recalls. “I studied with top-tier executives from all continents, yet they were all incredibly humble and genuine.” 

The diversity in this Executive MBA goes beyond geography, manifesting in the participants’ ideas, experiences and approaches to leadership.

“Nothing compares to being in a cohort so diverse in nationality (27 to be precise), gender and background. That’s when the power of diversity truly comes alive,” says Moe Negishi. 

The variety of perspectives also fueled academic outcomes. “Together, we worked on dozens of projects, consulted for nine global companies and explored the global business landscape,” says Abdur Rehman Saleemi. “The diversity of perspectives, the ability to inspire one another and the way we showed up for each other through the toughest moments made this experience truly special.”

Perhaps the most enduring outcome of the Executive MBA is the lifelong relationships it creates. The cohort is more than a professional network—it becomes a close-knit community of peers, mentors and friends. Angie describes how her classmates inspired her, commenting, “Their courage, intelligence and open-mindedness broadened my perspectives.”

Professional growth, personal awakening

The Executive MBA equips students with tools to lead while challenging them to reflect on what kind of leaders they want to be. The program invites a deeper understanding of purpose, values and legacy. “Three years ago, I had a vision without purpose… Today, I walk guided by a moral compass,” says Hugo, describing a transformation that extended far beyond the classroom.

Carlos de Oliveira Martins echoes the sentiment: “It was not just about business—it was about becoming a better human being.” For Rami, the impact was empowering: “With everything I’ve learned, I feel ready to embrace the future.”

From every continent and industry, these graduates arrived with different goals, but all leave with a shared sense of transformation. The experience was demanding, emotional, but above all, worth it. “To say it was one of the most challenging periods of my life would be an understatement, but it was also one of the most rewarding,” says Moe. And Johnny Marida captures the sentiment of many: “This has been nothing less than an inspirational, transformative and unforgettable experience.”

As they turn the page on their time at IE Business School, these Executive MBA graduates leave with more than a diploma. They carry with them the courage to lead with purpose, the humility to listen and learn, and the resilience to take on whatever comes next—not just stronger, but transformed.