Participants Profile

Eric Tachibana, Class of 2006 Eric Tachibana Vice President, Strategy and Business Development Merrill Lynch Singapore “The program allowed me to balance my entrepreneurial street sense with studied, reasoned frameworks – ultimately making me more effective.”

Previous Education: M.A. Science, Technology, and Public Policy in International Affairs, George Washington University, USA. BA/BA, Political Theory/Cultural Anthropology, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA.

Work History: I have been an entrepreneur focused on the financial services sector for the last twelve years. During this time I have created, built, and eventually exited successful small companies in Silicon Valley, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the U.K. Today, I continue my entrepreneurial endeavors as a regional angel investor, strategic adviser, and mentor for early-stage entrepreneurial ventures, serving as founding non-executive director for seven companies regionally.

As Vice President and a manager at Merrill Lynch in Singapore, I provide strategic analysis, business development, and program management focused on intrapreneurial initiatives.

An author of eight books on technology development and innovation management, I also am an adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore Business School and continue to focus on cutting-edge theory and implementation.

Personal Information: Interests include lindy hop, Facebook, and angel investing.

Eric’s Perspective

1. As a successful entrepreneur, what impact has the UCLA – NUS program had on your career direction and business?
As a well-seasoned entrepreneur, the program has helped in two key ways. First, because the program attracts extremely senior participants with whom I have developed strong relationships with, I have been able to leverage this expanded network to successfully win a number of very lucrative business transactions. Second, the program has allowed me to balance my entrepreneurial street sense with studied, reasoned frameworks – ultimately making me more effective.

2. How applicable is the course material been to the “real world”?
The format leverages the plethora of real-world experiences of the program’s participants and relies heavily on activity-based learning and case analysis led by professors - who shepherd more than lecture. The course was surprisingly relevant - I had initially expected a lot more “school” than I actually encountered.

3. How do you integrate and apply the learning and tools acquired from the UCLA – NUS program into your current role?
I have been fortunate to be able to employ almost all of the course materials from strategy to financial accounting and corporate finance, to negotiations and leadership. In fact, during the course, I was able to use several of my class assignments directly for work-related deliverables.

4. What was the most important lesson the program taught you?
I have been most affected by the strategy frameworks which I have been able to adapt and employ in several situations since graduating.

5. Would you recommend this program to other candidates?
Absolutely. I have recommended this program and will continue to do so.

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Ken Sansom, Class of 2006 Ken Sansom President, Asia Pacific and Member of Global Executive Operating Board Experian Shanghai, China “The UCLA – NUS program helped energize and propel my career... it also made me a more well-rounded business leader, with its emphasis on general management and leadership.”

Work History: 23 years of work experience.

I began my career with EDS in its Systems Engineering Development Program. For over 9 years, I worked in the U.S. and Europe as an Advanced Systems Engineer and Program Manager in Michigan, Virginia, Texas and Massachusetts, and in England, Germany, and Switzerland.

In 1994, I joined PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a Principal Consultant with responsibility for leading large-scale process improvement and systems implementations for companies such as Bose, Digital and Hitachi America. I also worked at SAP offices in Walldorf, Germany.

In 1996, I joined Diamond Technology Partners (now DiamondCluster Intl.), a start-up e-business management consulting company, as a Principal Consultant working on strategy and implementation engagements throughout the United States. In 1998, I was promoted to Partner.

I then returned to PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a U.S. Partner, and was later seconded to Japan in late 1998 and became a member of its Japanese Managing Partner Committee. I led the InfoCommunication and Entertainment Division and helped grow the Japanese business from 350 consultants to over 1,500.

In mid-2002, I moved to Shanghai, China and shortly thereafter, my company was acquired by IBM. I spent four years in leadership roles in Greater China and Asia-Pacific, including IBM’s elite Strategic Engagement Team and also managed a P&L of $100 million.

In 2006, I joined Experian as its Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific. In April of 2007, I was promoted to President of Asia Pacific and joined its Global Executive Operating Board.

Personal Information: Interests include cycling, traveling with my family, and digital photography.

Ken’s Perspective

1. You are a global road warrior and already very accomplished in your career. Why seek an MBA too? What set the UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program apart for you?
The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey. Though I felt that I had gained a lot of global work experience, I wanted to supplement it with a more formal mid-career education. The program provided an opportunity to learn the latest in management thinking and business insights, and to gain fresh new perspectives. Also, I felt it was a great way to broaden my personal network. The UCLA – NUS program was appealing because the format fit my fast-paced, road warrior career. Furthermore, the combination of a U.S. and Asia-Pacific program, with professors and students from both regions greatly increased the learning potential.

2. What elements of the program and experience were you most impressed with?
The quality of the professors from both schools was impressive. The curriculum was largely practical, rather than solely academic-oriented. The intimate class size and format allowed for a tremendous amount of interactive discussion and greatly enhanced the learning experience. The diversity of the participants also made it a truly global learning experience.

3. How has the UCLA – NUS program helped make you a better leader?
The UCLA – NUS program helped energize and propel my career. It deepened my understanding of business as well as Asia-Pacific culture. It provided tools, which I use regularly. The program also made me a more well-rounded business leader, with its emphasis on general management and leadership.

4. What aspects of the UCLA – NUS experience have been most valuable and why?
The corporate finance and accounting courses have been particularly useful, since I was the most weak in these areas. The classes helped me to effectively conclude acquisitions and facilitated a common understanding with my CFO.

5. Would you recommend this program to other candidates?
Without reservation, I would recommend the program, and have done so, to many prospective candidates. The program is ideal for anyone looking to strengthen his or her business acumen and gain greater insight into Asia-Pacific business. My advice to prospective candidates is to look at the alternatives. I am certain that you will not find a more prestigious program that confers two MBA degrees, provides an emphasis on Asia-Pacific, as well as a one-of-a-kind format that is conducive to a global road warrior.

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Thomas M. Wicki, Class of 2006 Thomas M. Wicki Chancellor, Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore, Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore, Regional Director Asia-Pacific – Switzerland Trade & Investment Promotion Singapore “The UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program allowed me to personally tap into the vast pool of experts and alumni networks that two of the world’s leading universities and graduate schools of management can jointly provide.”

Place of Birth: Basel, Switzerland

Previous Education: M.A. Economics, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Work History: 20 years of work experience as President and General Manager, including sixteen years in Asia working in the marketing and retail distribution sector focused on branded consumer goods and lifestyle products.

From 1986 to 1989, I worked as an internal business consultant for the Sandoz Group’s worldwide operation in the area of business re-engineering and efficiency improvements. At the end of 1989, I joined Cosa Liebermann Group as Group Financial Controller and in 1991 established and implemented operational controls for the company’s Asian Consumer Goods Division. I was then appointed General Manager for its PUMA operation in Taiwan and in 1993 was promoted to President and General Manager of its Philippine subsidiary in Manila.

In late 1995, I was appointed General Manager of IKEA Trading Far East Ltd., Taiwan Branch for the sourcing and procurement of IKEA products in North Asia. From mid-1997 to late 2000, I assumed the position of President of Bluebell Taiwan. During 2001 and 2002, I provided consulting services to a number of consumer goods companies entering the Asian markets and also took time to learn Mandarin Chinese. From 2003 to 2007, I acted as President of HCL Taiwan, a marketing and retail distribution company before joining the Swiss Government in 2008 to act as its Asia-Pacific Regional Director responsible for Swiss export business and the promotion of foreign investment.

Personal Information: A sports enthusiast, interests include biking, hiking, mountaineering and skiing, as well as reading and expeditionary travel to exotic destinations. Other interests include geo-political events in Asia and world-wide and guest lecturing to MA and MBA students.

Thomas’ Perspective

1. You are already so accomplished in your career. What set the UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program apart for you?
I am a strong believer in continuous life-long learning and personal development. I wanted to extend and enhance my first-class Swiss and European management education with exposure to best-in-class Asian and American perspectives and management approaches that would help me to bridge eastern and western cultures and approaches to business and allow me to learn the nuances of each business context.

The program structure and format of 6 two-week full-time learning sessions were ideal and allowed me to maintain a normal working schedule at the same time as finding the necessary time to dedicate to and attend the program’s residential segments. Having residential sessions in Asia as well as in the U.S. further allowed me to practically acquire first-hand knowledge and insights providing unsurpassed learning opportunities in the field in the world’s most powerful and influential economies.

2. What elements of the program and experience have you been most impressed with?
Numerous elements of the program impressed me: its conducive learning environment and relatively small class size that allowed for great class interaction and rich discussion with the program’s world-class faculty. I was extremely impressed with the professors from both UCLA and NUS for their wide and far reaching backgrounds and relevant industry experience. Combined with participants’ varied backgrounds and business experiences the combination of participants and faculty provided a learning experience that was unsurpassed.

The UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program touched upon all functional business areas and personal leadership aspects relevant to gain the necessary management know-how in a globalizing world. It further allowed me to personally tap into the vast pool of experts and alumni networks that two of the world’s leading universities and graduate schools of management can jointly provide.

3. What have the academics and teaching been like at UCLA Anderson and NUS Business School?
Both UCLA and NUS are rated as top universities in the U.S. and Asia respectively. Access to such world-class and distinguished faculty members and teaching facilities allows participants to fully exploit two outstanding learning environments and network with two strong, powerful and global-reaching communities and alumni networks. Outstanding teaching was often complemented with prominent guest speakers, panel discussions and site visits to further enhance classroom learning.

Classes are held in several geographical locations over the course of the program (Los Angeles, Singapore, Shanghai and Bangalore). Such a format allows professors to combine and illustrate academic theories, models and in-class discussions with first-hand real business cases from these geographical, cultural, economical and various industry-driven economies. This also allowed participants to fully immerse themselves in the respective markets and apply newly acquired skills, analytical approaches and strategic thinking learned in the classroom to their work situations and to the Management Practicum consulting project.

4. How has the UCLA – NUS program helped make you a better leader?
The program modules cover all essential topics relevant for a business leader in a globalized economy, regardless of whether for a profit or a not-for-profit organization. The program encompasses several personal development and leadership courses, where participants learn not only basic management and leadership skills but also develop the softer skills relevant to become an outstanding business leader and manager.

The structure of the courses allows participants to test concepts learned in the classroom firstly in their own student working groups – a conducive safe haven learning environment, and then refine them before taking them back and employing them in their own work environment. The six-month Management Practicum, and the Intercultural Negotiations and Strategic Leadership classes further allowed honing of the more personal and softer leadership skills in a small group environment.

5. What does the UCLA – NUS program mean for your career?
The UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program is an essential part of life-long learning. It provides the skill-building to acquire the most recent best practices and current management thinking, skills and frameworks. It further allows participants instantly and globally to network across numerous industries, business models, geographical regions and cultures and with participants holding a variety of senior management and executive positions.

For the participant’s employer, the program guarantees a first class educated employee who knows how to manage and lead in an ever more competitive economic and social environment. It further provides an employee the ability to identify the latest trends, position an organization strategically, and implement and execute programs and action plans in an efficient and effective way for the overall benefit of the organization.

For the participant, the program provides countless opportunities in the business world which, without this excellent education, would be beyond his or her reach, providing a reward and payoff that allows each participant to take his or her career to a new and exciting level.

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James Tan Lai Hing, Class of 2007 James Tan Lai Hing Global Head Bancassurance Standard Chartered Bank Singapore “Interaction with classmates from different backgrounds provided a unique opportunity to learn the necessary social skills to be successful in Asia and the United States.”

Previous Education: M.S. Actuarial Science, Georgia State University, USA. BBA, Georgia State University.

Work History: 15 years of work experience.

In 1994, I joined Nan Ya Plastics (part of Formosa Group, Taiwan) as a Production Planner and Analyst in South Carolina. Two years later, I joined Conseco Services based out of Carmel, Indiana as an Actuarial Trainee in Product Development and Pricing. I later assumed a position with ING Financial Services in Atlanta, Georgia as an Actuarial Manager in Product Development, Financial Reporting and Operations and in 1998 became a Senior Analyst with ING Asset Management.

In 1999, I joined First Union Bank in Charlotte, North Carolina as VP of Product Development and Distribution in its Capital Management Group. In 2001, I was appointed Director of International Distribution for Wachovia Bank to oversee its Wealth Management Distribution (Investments and Insurance) in Asia and the Americas. In 2003, I assumed the position of Global Head of Bancassurance for Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore.

Personal Information: Interests include team sports and interacting with people from different cultures.

James’ Perspective

1. Two MBA degrees in one undertaking – did this daunt you or strike you as appealing?
This is a highly “efficient” program where participants earn two separate MBA degrees in 15 months. Participants receive both value for money as well as a quality education from two very prestigious institutions. The UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program experience was worth every minute and every penny spent!

2. What has been your impression of other program participants?
The cohort of participants has highly diversified experiences and backgrounds with a solid mix of generalists and specialists from various industries. Participants have the unique opportunity to both learn from and understand how executives from different cultures, and industry and functional backgrounds, analyze and problem-solve situations.

3. What was your experience with having multiple classroom venues and locations?
The multiple locations arrangement was both fun and adventurous while being highly conducive to team building. Personally, I found this arrangement worked well with my work schedule.

4. What aspects of the UCLA – NUS experience have been most valuable and why?
All aspects of the program have been extremely valuable. The program addresses both intellectual and leadership awareness, and at the same time creates an intense self-discovery experience.

5. How has the UCLA – NUS program helped make you a better leader?
Interaction with classmates from different backgrounds provided a unique opportunity to learn the necessary social skills to be successful in Asia and the United States. In addition, the program is designed to make you think and formulate decisions outside the box that facilitate development and improvement of an individual’s judgment skills.

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Marc Haugen, Class of 2007 Marc Haugen Vice President, Product Operations Lam Research Corporation California, USA “I now have a new set of trusted contacts all over the world with a distinguished set of leaders from the program.”

Place of Birth: San Francisco, California, USA

Previous Education: B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Southern California, USA.

Work History: Over 20 years of work experience.

I was an Officer in the United States Navy from 1987 to 1991. In 1991, I joined Applied Materials and served in various operational roles through to the director level before joining Lam Research in 1998. Since joining Lam Research, I have assumed various positions in the areas of product management and operations and also have held international management positions. I am now Vice President and currently lead the Global Product Group Operations.

Personal Information: Interests include my family, sailing, skiing, fishing, and wood and metal working.

Marc’s Perspective

1. How do you integrate and apply the learning and tools from the UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program into your current role? How has what you have learned helped you?
The tools and frameworks learned in the course can be applied easily in a business setting. I use them routinely including the way I look at new business opportunities, solve complex problems, and consider corporate governance issues.

2. Comment on the UCLA and NUS Advantage.
The distinct advantage is the diversity of faculty and students. The faculty brings deep expertise and meaningful perspectives. With their varied experiences, cultures and nationalities, the participants gain a broad set of views. The faculty, combined with the especially diverse cultures, broad range of industry backgrounds and extensive experience of program participants brings significant value to bear on the program and overall learning experience. I now have a new set of trusted contacts all over the world with a distinguished set of leaders from the program.

3. What is the most important lesson the program has taught you?
First, the honest and candid feedback I received from my classmates with no agenda and no bias has been extremely valuable. Second, the world is blending together rapidly and those who embrace it early will have the most opportunity.

4. Is there a particular memory or moment that is most memorable and why?
Working on projects until early hours of the morning with various project teams, and really enjoying it!

5. What advice would you give to someone trying to decide whether to attend the UCLA – NUS program?
Even with a full-time senior level job, and a little patience from your employer, you can fit the program in. If you have decided to get an Executive MBA, most of the world economy will center on Asia, or trade with Asia during this generation and this program will certainly well equip and prepare you.

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Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury, Class of 2007 Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury Managing Director, SGS Philippines, Incorporated Chief Executive Officer, SGS Gulf Limited (Regional Operating Headquarters) Philippines “Seeing the future take shape in front of my eyes and the opportunity to talk to CEOs of multinational companies in China and India was of incomparable value. It brings you to the real business world, which is beyond the theoretical discussions in any classroom setting.”

Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines

Previous Education: B.Sc. in Communication Arts, St. Scholastica’s College in consortium with St Paul’s College. Various continuing education courses including: Change Managemen at IMD, Switzerland and Basic Management at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

Work History: In total, I have over twenty year’s work experience in multi-cultural environments with SGS, the world’s leading independent inspection, testing, verification, and certification company. I have assumed various overseas assignments in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Singapore, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Cambodia.

I have had 15 years of operations management experience assuming leadership roles. In the past 10 years, I have led and established an off-shore BPO shared services office with 350 employee that provides global support with a 24/7 service, 365 days a year.

Presently I hold dual positions: Managing Director of SGS Philippines Inc. with 250 staff covering the Commercial Divisions providing inspection, testing and certification services to various industries such as Oil Gas, Chemical Industry, Minerals Industry, Consumer Testing Services, Environmental Services, Agricultural Services, Government & Institution Services; and Chief Executive Officer of the Off-shore BPO service for the SGS Group in the Philippines, with 350 staff servicing Asia, Europe, Middle-East, Africa and the Americas.

Personal Information: I am devoted to spending time with my 4 year old son and his happiness. My husband and I enjoy taking him bowling, golfing, skiing, shopping, to the beach, and to the movies. The rest of my time I enjoy entertaining and hosting dinner parties for business associates, friends and family.


Rosario’s Perspective

1. What was your experience with having multiple classroom venues and locations?
In my 20-year business career, I have had the opportunity to travel and work in over 20 different countries as diverse as the U.S., Ecuador, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Madagascar, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, the Philippines and Guam. Yet, having all my prior experience as a “World Traveler”, the opportunity to do so as part of an EMBA program and the sites included, excited me even more!

Singapore brought a depth of understanding regarding business and business practices in Asia. The UCLA campus in Los Angeles, one of the most beautiful campuses in the world, brought the challenge of mastering leading edge business drivers. Shanghai exposed us to a city where the world will be doing so much more business than we could possibly realize over the coming decade and Bangalore where we learned “The World is Flat”, and that the world won’t be coming to Bangalore in 10 or 20 years, but it is already there.

Seeing the future take shape in front of my eyes and the opportunity to talk to CEOs of multinational companies in China and Bangalore was of incomparable value. It brings you to the real business world, which is beyond the theoretical discussions in any classroom setting.

2. Did the program’s internationally diverse student body appeal to you?
The primary focal points of the UCLA – NUS EMBA program were “East meets West” business, opportunities to meet, collaborate, and quickly become friends with individuals from across the globe - an opportunity and experience I deeply cherished.

My Management Practicum team included individuals from, or residing in Europe, South America, North America, Asia and India. We all traveled to Vietnam, Singapore, and San Francisco for the project. With such a diverse group, we were able to excel by sharing each of our individual experiences and perspectives, yet function together in a highly productive and contented work team to produce results the client highly praised. This experience has enhanced my awareness and understanding of business leadership on a global perspective. Of great value that can’t be measured is the social capital network you will gain. It is through the UCLA – NUS EMBA network that I acquired an excellent lead, introduction and endorsement to a major business acquisition for our company.

3. How applicable is the course material to the “real world”?
Since completing the program and even while I was in the program, the learning, experiences and exercises that I was exposed to in class I was able to immediately adapt and employ to my daily “real world” work. I still carry reference materials from my various classes, not just to refresh my memory, but to aid me in fulfilling my business responsibilities.

You could ask me which course was most relevant to my “real world” responsibilities – and I would reply: “which one wasn’t?”

4. What do you think the program has given you that you can use in the future?
What the program has given me is building and strengthening the foundation of the future.

First, the program has provided a world class education, exposure to top professors and respected classmates, a chance to study topics and materials immediately relevant and applicable to my day to day business environment and decision-making as a Managing Director and CEO. The program provides a thorough appreciation of business in Asia and the U.S., which is based on strategies that are sensitive to the respective cultures and economies of other countries. It is an updated form of East-meets-West but it takes that relationship into the center of global business. This is very important for me and my company because SGS is a global brand.

Second, is the network of friends who I have stayed in touch with and will continue to stay in touch with who have added not only support from a business perspective, but also from a personal perspective. The network you build does not stop after graduation but rather continue throughout your lifetime.

5. What advice would you give to someone trying to decide whether to attend the UCLA – NUS program?
For some time, I had searched for advanced continuing education programs that would suit my schedule and the intricacies of the businesses that I am tasked to lead. Most programs focus too much on business strategy and overlook the leadership that drives the strategy; this is not the case with the UCLA – NUS program. Its promise of remarkable synergies of two leading business schools, four countries, two top universities, and two degrees makes it a truly extraordinary experience.

My advice is simple: Know yourself. What do you wish for in your life? Do you wish for change? Do you wish for challenge? Do you wish for new experiences? For me, I didn’t know I was seeking all those essentials when I applied. I just thought I was applying to add some theoretical fundamentals to the real life practical experiences of my own in an “East meets West” EMBA program. What I didn’t realize was that I was going to meet so many others like myself seeking challenge and new experiences, although none of us knew that clearly when we began. We entered the program with eyes half closed and vision blurred and emerged with an entirely new perspective of ourselves, one another, our work, and our lives.

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Place of Birth: Chicago, USA

Previous Education: B.A. Management, National Louis University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.

Work History: Over 21 years of experience in the financial services industry.

I have a broad range of distribution experience covering traditional long-only and alternative asset classes. In 2003, I joined Janus from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. In my role as Chief Executive Officer, I have been responsible for the firm’s business outside the United States since 2003.

Personal Information: Interests include traveling, skiing, golf, and spending time with family.

Erich’s Perspective

1. What is the most important lesson the program has taught you?
The program has sharpened my decision-making process by giving me the theoretical tools to better frame the business decisions that I need to make everyday.

2. What was your experience with having multiple classroom venues and locations?
Classes in four different countries in six two-week blocks afforded me the opportunity to focus on the program with fewer interruptions. It also provided the ability to get to know my fellow classmates better than if the program were taking place on a regional basis. Furthermore, site visits gave me an opportunity to see first hand the theories that were being taught in the classroom actually being applied and put into practice in a real world setting.

3. How has being a participant in the program expanded your network and improved your networking potential?
I have established deep bonds and strong friendships with fellow participants who are successful in a variety of industries located all over the world. In a global business environment, such a range of contacts is invaluable.

4. Did the applied learning experience meet your expectations?
As a senior manager you rarely have a moment to step back and look critically at the approach that you take to managing. Also, rarely do you have the opportunity to take an in-depth look at current management and business best practices outside of your immediate industry. The UCLA – NUS program has allowed me the opportunity to see how others approach problems and implement solutions to common challenges faced by managers across a broad range of industries and countries. The intensive one-of-a-kind format provided a unique opportunity to interact beyond the classroom. What I found most useful was the out of class discussions with both fellow participants and professors to hear how they were actively applying many of the theories that were being discussed in class.

5. What about the UCLA – NUS program’s impact on your career?
The program has provided me with the tools necessary and relevant to be a more effective leader. As a result I am confident that once I graduate with all the appropriate tools and skill sets the value of the program will continue to pay off and have an invaluable positive impact on my career and trajectory.

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Ravit Lichtenberg, Class of 2008 Ravit Lichtenberg Business Strategy and Customer Experience Design Practice Manager, Corporate Marketing – Hewlett Packard Design Hewlett Packard California, USA “The UCLA – NUS program is designed in a way that allows for immersive learning in different environments - that each contribute to a deeper and intuitive understanding of business in a global world.”

Place of Birth: Israel

Previous Education: M.A. Human Factors and Applied Experimental Psychology, California State University, Northridge (CSUN), USA. B.A. Psychology, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Northridge, USA.

Work History: 12 years of work experience in Customer Experience Management and Business Strategy.

During my career, I have operated as an independent Strategy Consultant to large retail and financial institutions and founded and owned an online retail business. In 2001, I joined Hewlett Packard as a Customer Experience Strategy Consultant in its Global Operations organization and then in 2006 joined the company’s Corporate Marketing organization where I have been helping to develop and implement Customer Experience Management strategies that result both in profitable products, solutions, and services, and in loyal and satisfied customers.

Personal Information: Interests include travel, art, reading and writing, music, spending time with friends and family, and practicing yoga and meditation.


Ravit’s Perspective

1. What defines success for you?
For me there are really three elements that define success:
i) an ability to solve complex problems in new ways that lead to results which surpass expectations and which open up a new range of opportunities that others can then embrace and achieve success in;
ii) an ability to inspire and move others; and
iii) an ability to help others become more successful.

2. If you had to choose, what would be the one key attribute or distinguishing feature of the program that inspired you to apply?
Without question, the distinguishing feature for me was the program’s unique one-of-a-kind format - six very concentrated residential sessions in four countries with international participants.

3. What aspects of the UCLA – NUS experience have been most valuable and why?
The UCLA – NUS program is designed in a way that allows for immersive learning in different environments that each contributes to a deeper and intuitive understanding of business in a global world. The program joins together two academic excellences: UCLA Anderson in the West – a known leader among business and management schools, and NUS in the East.

4. What does the UCLA – NUS program mean for your career?
The UCLA – NUS program opens a wide range of possibilities through its academic benefits – a rigorous study program resulting in two degrees from two highly reputable institutions, as well as meaningful and unique connections that participants make while in the program. Each participant brings a distinctively different set of experiences from which we can all enrich our worlds.

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Kyle Smith, Class of 2009 Kyle Smith Product Unit Manager, Windows Server Solutions Group Microsoft China Research & Development Group Shanghai, P.R.C. “The company visits were particularly enriching, especially when I was able to compare and contrast the different business practices and challenges of organizations that spanned the range from global multinationals to locally-grown businesses.”

Place of Birth: St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA

Previous Education: B.S. in Business Computer Information Systems, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, USA.

Work History: I have 17 years experience in the IT/software industry. In 1992, I entered the industry as an Information Systems Technician for Central Minnesota Group Health Plan in St. Cloud, MN and was working full time while also taking evening classes to finish my undergraduate degree.

After graduating in 1996, I worked for a short time in consulting services for both Andersen Consulting and Born Information Services and then had the opportunity to work with Microsoft’s consulting services in Minneapolis, MN. After 5 years in IT consulting, I assumed the role of Program Manager in the Systems Management Server (SMS) product development group at Microsoft’s Redmond, WA, headquarters. Over the next 5 years I ascended to Group Program Manager and was responsible for the product definition and release strategy of SMS, a major server product.

After my tenure in SMS, I moved to Shanghai, China, where I started the Windows Server Solutions Group team based there. I grew the team from one person into a 45-person remote development organization that develops Remote Access, Media, and core networking components for three major versions of Windows Server: Windows Home Server, Windows Small Business Server, and Windows Essential Business Server. My team is also responsible for developing critical updates and service packs through the sustained engineering function for these products. I currently hold the position of Product Unit Manager in this team.

Personal Information: My main passions are technology, music, and travel. My love of technology began at the age of 12 and has never ceased. In the summer of 1994 I lived in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, which was my first opportunity to experience living abroad and the enrichment of being immersed in other cultures and have spent a great deal of time living and traveling abroad since. I currently maintain residences in Seattle, WA; Shanghai, PRC; and Manila, Philippines.


Kyle’s Perspective

1. What was your experience with having classes in four different business epicenters spanning four countries?
When I started the program, I had already lived in Shanghai for 2.5 years, and had visited Singapore and Los Angeles countless times. I was excited to have the opportunity to get to know these cities – and Bangalore – even more deeply than I had before. Even having been exposed to them in the past, I discovered and learned new aspects about each of the locations and learned much more about the local business cultures than I had expected. The company visits were particularly enriching, especially when I was able to compare and contrast the different business practices and challenges of organizations that spanned the range from global multinationals to locally-grown businesses. I also was able to gain deep industry insight because the site visits clustered related areas such as manufacturing and marketing.

2. How did the program’s class of internationally diverse executives enhance your overall experience?
The instructors in the program are world-class, and I learned immensely from them and found that I also learned so much from my classmates. Whatever the course topic or industry focus of a case study, there was someone in the class who could enhance learning by providing a perspective of a professional working in that industry. Whenever a geopolitical issue entered the discussion, there was always someone in the class who had direct and relevant experience with the culture or issue at hand. This added a very deep, personal level of understanding that would be impossible to replicate without the diverse make-up of the class.

3. How applicable is course material to the “real world”?
Half way through the program, a number of my classmates were discussing the impact the program had already made on us. We all agreed that over the course of the previous nine months, we had been able to take what we had learned in the coursework and apply it immediately to our daily work. By the end of the course, we realized that the program was much more than a collection of courses and lectures, but rather it was a transformational experience that changed the way we approached our jobs, the way we think about solving problems, and the critical questioning that we undertake when facing a business challenge.

I also found that by the end of the program, I had a broad view of business and understood how different aspects of business relate to each other. This program was about so much more than learning about marketing, finance, or strategy - it was about learning how to tie them all together into a cohesive whole and see the bigger picture.

4. What do you think the program has given you that you can use in the future?
The program has given me the ability to think more broadly and more critically about business and the world in general. It has given me a framework for accomplishing the goals I have for myself and given me specific tools that can be used to solve problems. I have learned different aspects of business that I had not been exposed to before and that now enable me to speak and act with confidence in situations where I previously lacked the depth of understanding to do so. Most importantly, I leave the program with life-long friendships and a network of people that I know I can tap into in the future.

5. What advice would you give to someone trying to decide whether to attend the UCLA – NUS program?
Entering this program is not something that should be taken lightly. It is an incredibly rewarding and transformational program because of the breadth and depth of challenge that it offers. As a result, it is a program that takes considerable time, focus, and dedication to gain maximum benefit. Participating in the program will place stress on your personal and professional life. It will require you to make sacrifices and to lean on the support of family and colleagues. It is important to understand why you want to enter into the program and be clear with yourself about what you want to get out of it. If you enter the program with the right mindset, a readiness to work hard, and with the support of those around you, the rewards are worth every bit of sacrifice you make along the way.

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Loke Wai Chiong, Class of 2009 Loke Wai Chiong Director, Health & Wellness Project Office, Ministry of Health; Program Director, Singapore Economic Development Board Singapore “My class was a melting pot of cultures, experiences and backgrounds….I found myself taking on a new and expanded role even before the program ended.”

Place of Birth: Singapore

Previous Education: I studied Medicine at the National University of Singapore on the Loke Foundation Scholarship, and in 1995 graduated with MBBS on the Dean’s List. I then completed professional training in Family Medicine and in 2000 earned my Master of Medicine. In 2004, I became a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians (by assessment) and continue to be a tutor and examiner in postgraduate Family Medicine.

Work History: After graduation from medical school, I spent 11 years in full-time clinical practice and during the last five of these years served as Director of two busy primary care polyclinics in succession. In 2006, encouraged by my success in various clinical improvement projects and keen to make a broader strategic level impact in healthcare beyond outpatient operations, I took on hospital and Cluster Headquarters roles. Over the next three years, I served (at times concurrently) as Director of quality, resource management, clinical standards and improvement, and clinical manpower (human resource). The latter role required me to launch recruitment trips and roadshows across 8 countries, reaching out to approximately 1,700 medical professionals over two years. In 2009, I embarked upon a new challenge as Program Director of Health & Wellness, a joint Ministry of Health – Economic Development Board initiative, coherently pulling together my background, training and passion in medicine, business and system transformation.

Personal Information: I enjoy reading, learning, music, and spending quality time with my wife and two young sons (ages 3 and 7) – “it’s a joy to watch them grow each passing month!”

Wai Chiong’s Perspective

1. You are already so accomplished in your career. Why seek an MBA too?
When I decided to “go back to school,” I had already worked 13 years and been in senior management positions for 8 of those years. However, my formal education and training had all been medical in nature, and much of what I knew about management was on-the-job. Family Medicine trained me to see patients and issues holistically. The patient must be managed across the continuum of care, where continuity and teamwork become important. Interesting opportunities had also opened up as I pursued my passion in systems thinking, process improvement, and human resource management. I found crucial gaps, where medical school had not equipped me with skills in finance, operations management, strategy, marketing, organization dynamics or leadership. I knew the UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program would not just be about me imbibing theoretical knowledge, but that I also could learn much from fellow participants across a range of industries and backgrounds. I saw myself adding value by bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to the class, and in exchange bringing new insights and tools to apply back to my challenges at work.

2. If you had to choose, what was the one key attribute or distinguishing feature of the program that inspired you to apply?
I would say there were two related attributes. One was its truly global nature, with experienced executives originating and based everywhere flying in to classes together to spend a truly intense time together. The other would be the unique schedule of two immersive full-time weeks out of every ten to twelve weeks, which enabled me (and others like me) to juggle busy work responsibilities, family commitments, and still be able to focus fully on studies every quarter.

3. What has been your impression of other program participants? Please comment on adjusting to diverse cohorts and learning.
My class was a melting pot of cultures, experiences and backgrounds. It was amazing to meet fellow leaders and managers with such different perspectives and styles, and yet find that we have so much in common when it comes to managing people and organizations. In class discussions, there was always a fresh perspective from someone who had a different experience, which added to the richness of what the professors and course material could provide. We did many group projects together, giving us many opportunities to deal with the complexities of team dynamics across international boundaries. This included a memorable six-month long Management Practicum which required six team members to work across different time-zones, for a company operating in an industry different from each of our own. You could say we formed, stormed, normed, and ultimately had to perform! It came to a fitting close when we gathered for a personal feedback and evaluation in our final leadership module. We all felt we knew each other and especially ourselves so much better through our Management Practicum experience.

4. Have you been able to integrate and apply the learning and tools from the program into your current role?
Most definitely yes. Like quite a few others in my class and preceding classes, I found myself taking on a new and expanded role even before the program ended. And it was more than because of what I had learned in any particular subject, but rather it was the depth and rigor of thinking, the ability to speak confidently the language of business, and most of all (personally speaking) the opening of the mind to new career possibilities beyond all that I have done in the past.

5. What aspects of the UCLA – NUS experience have been most valuable and why?
The opening and challenging of the mind as I interacted with faculty and fellow participants, seeing how solutions are formulated and applied across different settings and industries; the rigor of the academic modules, grappling with and applying the theories into hard business practice; the fun and camaraderie we had amidst the labor, despite our myriad backgrounds and personalities – all these and more I will treasure for years to come!

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Dietmar Rathbauer, Class of 2009 Dietmar Rathbauer Managing Director Rodenstock (UK) Ltd. London, United Kingdom “The UCLA – NUS program enhanced my understanding of different cultures and provided a unique opportunity to have an “East meets West” experience and understand the thinking and decision-making processes of different cultures.”

Place of Birth: Ried, Austria

Previous Education: B.A. in Business, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria (Erasmus year, Malardalens Hogskola, Vaesteras, Sweden). I also have attended various executive education courses in Financial Management, Michigan Ross School of Business, Hong Kong and Supply Chain Management, INSEAD, Singapore.

Work History: I have eleven years work experience with Rodenstock, the Germany-based producer and distributor of optical lenses and frames during which time I have assumed various overseas assignments in the Czech Republic, Thailand and Japan. In 1999, I joined the company as a Project Manager for Operations and in November 2001 became the Logistics and Purchasing Manager of a production facility in Bangkok, Thailand with more than 1,000 employees. During the following years, I was involved in the founding and development of a regional sales organization for twelve countries in South East Asia. In May 2007, I assumed the position of Managing Director of Rodenstock, Japan. I still hold this position but since July 2009, I also am the co-acting Managing Director of Rodenstock U.K. and have relocated to London, England where Rodenstock has around 200 employees and operates its own sales organization, production facility and optical retail chain.

Personal Information:I enjoy active recreation and spend my spare time playing golf, tennis, squash, skiing and scuba diving. Over the years, golf has become my main passion and I take every opportunity to enjoy magnificent courses around the world. My preferred literatures are books on global economics and financial markets and since completing the UCLA – NUS program, I have become interested in modern technologies and implications on consumer behavior in emerging and developed markets.

Dietmar’s Perspective

1. If you had to choose, what was the one key attribute or distinguishing feature of the program that inspired you to apply?
The UCLA - NUS program has a unique format. The six segments over a 15-month period are perfect for busy executives who travel a lot and for an expatriate like me who is likely to be relocated on relatively short notice. When I applied for the program, I was still living in Bangkok and during the main part of the program I lived in Tokyo and just before graduation moved to London. Only such a unique format made it possible to continue my degree under such difficult circumstances. Many of my classmates had already lived in more than three different countries which made cross-cultural information exchange even more interesting.

2. How do you integrate and apply the learning and tools acquired during the program into your current role? How has what you have learned helped you?
To summarize the impact of the UCLA – NUS program, it has opened my mind up to possibilities and was immensely inspiring and stimulating. After every segment, I was able to apply new management approaches to my company. The very diverse group of participants offered a tremendous source for new ideas and exposure to different management styles. The program curriculum offered a vast number of conceptual frameworks and business models that can easily be applied to day-to-day business.

3. How did the program’s class of internationally diverse executives enhance your overall experience?
The UCLA – NUS program brings together senior executives from all over the world. Our class had participants from more than 15 different countries - such cultural diversity is of a tremendous value and adds to the overall experience. With this program you do not only learn how to develop your future career - it is even more beneficial because it provides you ideas as to how to live your future life. The most important aspect of any Executive MBA program is the ability to implement what you have learned and actually see change happen in your own life which is a very rewarding experience.

4. How have the skills you learned during the program helped make you a better leader?
The UCLA – NUS program provides a world class education and has given me a foundation for further growth as a leader and as a human being. The program provides exposure to outstanding professors and classmates who are highly experienced senior professionals. The lectures are very practical and different approaches and leadership styles are very transparent. The program provides very qualified feedback about one’s leadership style - such feedback is not easy to get in a corporate environment. There are visibly different skill sets in the class room – this provides a great learning environment where best practices can be easily shared and learned.

5. What advice do you have for prospective students?
The UCLA - NUS program is a life changing experience. It offers an opportunity to rethink one’s career path but more importantly, it offers a mirror to fully understand yourself and ask questions such as: What do you wish for in life? Do you wish for change? Do you want to be challenged? Do you want to set different priorities in your life? For me, the UCLA – NUS program enhanced my understanding of different cultures and provided a unique opportunity to have an “East meets West” experience and understand the thinking and decision-making processes of different cultures. By entering the UCLA - NUS program you enter a global learning environment which will immensely broaden your horizons.

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Wesley Cho, Class of 2009 Cho Sung Bum Founder & President Wesley Language School, Co., Ltd., Buncheon City, Gyounggi-Do Seoul, Korea “I was able to immediately apply what I learned alongside executives from different industries and regions, which was a beneficial stepping stone for my professional career.”

Place of Birth: Buncheon City, Korea

Previous Education: B.A., Economics, Korea. General Education, Wake Technical College, North Carolina, USA.

Work History: In 2000, I started my own language school. I have worked in the education industry for nine years and have set up language training programs and cultural exchange programs with U.S. and Canadian schools. Recently, we established our branch office in the Philippines for online teaching and now have around 700 enrolled students and 30 staff members in Korea and the Philippines.

Personal Information:I enjoy reading and playing golf and traveling to different countries is always enjoyable.

Wesley’s Perspective

1. How do you integrate and apply the learning and tools acquired during the program into your current role? How has what you have learned helped you?
Since I had limited experience running a company, I had some difficulties in setting up an efficient company structure however, in every class segment I learned new concepts and skills that could be applied to my business operation. Whenever I returned following each class segment I was excited to apply the ideas and tools learned to my business operation. In most cases I was able to not only understand the current issues at hand but also approach situations more analytically. For instance following our ‘Operations’ class in Shanghai I had the tools and skill set to launch our first overseas branch office in the Philippines. Learning from world-class professors and applying this knowledge to the real world are most remarkable benefits of the UCLA – NUS program.

2. Please comment on the UCLA – NUS advantage?
My strong belief in pursuing the UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program was not only to upgrade myself academically but also to gain real world insight and knowledge alongside a strong global and diverse network of peers. Learning from two powerhouse institutions, located in the epicenters of the Pacific Rim – Los Angeles and Singapore enhanced my academic skill set and equipped me with practical knowledge. Most of all, experiencing the different cultures and environments of two campuses made learning more fun and exciting. The unique format of the program really allowed me to fully immerse myself and gain first-hand valuable insights into four different approaches of conducting business without interrupting my regular work schedule. But more valuable was the fact that I was able to immediately apply what I learned alongside executives from different industries and regions, which was a beneficial stepping stone for my professional career.

3. What is the most important lesson the program has taught you?
It goes without saying that the world-class faculty of UCLA Anderson and NUS Business School were impressive. I was also impressed with the brilliant knowledge and passion for learning of my classmates and experienced this firsthand while working on team projects at night via Skype with team members dispersed across different time zones. Learning the whole structure of business also helped me manage well in the workplace. But most of all, working with my classmates allowed me to become a better employer and nurture my employees better.

4. What has been your impression of other program participants? Please comment on adjusting to diverse cohorts and learning teams.
Since we are all at an executive level in different industries, we respect each other and were willing to look at issues from different angles. Coming from different cultural backgrounds was not an obstacle to overcome but rather it has been a beneficial stepping stone to branch out from our comfort zone. If you want to make some changes and advance to the next level I would highly recommend the winning experience of the UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program.

5. What advice would you give to someone trying to decide whether to attend the UCLA – NUS program?
Some believe that time and money are key ingredients for success. However, from my experience, courage is the most important. Courage comes from desperation and passion, if you want to improve yourself, your business and your social network you really need to think how desperately you want to make the improvements. Studying for the UCLA – NUS Executive MBA and working at the same time has not been easy and at times was difficult to manage. But when you go through the program as a busy executive or CEO you especially need to focus, manage your time and be in control. Once you have completed the program you can see how valuable and precious an experience you have had and the real value and impact of the UCLA – NUS program.

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Michele Lum, Class of 2009 Michele Lum. Head of Marketing & Communications Accenture Malaysia, Thailand & Indonesia “The program brought together like-minded, motivated executives from the U.S., Asia, Europe and the Middle East and helped foster valuable relationships and opportunities to explore new areas of business and professional role changes.”

Place of Birth: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Previous Education: Master of Arts in Journalism, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA. Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Dance, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA.

Work History: More than 12 years work experience in Malaysia and the United States. After a short time in the U.S. as a reporter, photojournalist and media relations specialist, I returned to Malaysia in 1997 and gained extensive public relations experience with the leading international firms of Shandwick International (currently known as Weber Shandwick) and Edelman Public Relations. During my tenure with these consultancies, I served clients such as Northwest Airlines, Unilever, Volvo, New Zealand Milk, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Nu Skin, and TOPS Supermarket.

In 2003, I joined DaimlerChrysler as the Strategic Marketing Manager responsible for marketing and communications initiatives within Malaysia. In the following year, I implemented the Network Development Program for the Mercedes-Benz dealerships and was responsible for the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz Autohaus Showrooms and corporate image nationwide; in 2005, I was seconded to the pioneering team that launched the Smart car brand and vehicles to the Malaysian market. In 2006, I joined Accenture as Marketing Lead for Malaysia and was promoted a year later to Head of Marketing & Communications for Malaysia and Thailand responsible for image building, market campaigns, and relationship building programs across three key target audience groups such as clients, employees, and potential recruits. In 2009, my scope was further expanded to include Indonesia.

Personal Information:I enjoy climbing, scuba diving, white water rafting, and hiking experiences throughout Malaysia and South East Asia. Prior to my extreme sports adventures, I spent many hours rehearsing for creative arts and dance productions at ballet studios in Malaysia and the United States. I also lead a Christian discussion group at my current workplace.

Michele’s Perspective

1. How do you integrate and apply the learning and tools acquired during the program into your current role? How has what you have learned helped you?
The classroom discussions, business concepts and frameworks learned in the UCLA – NUS program have all helped shape my thinking and approach towards day-to-day business, leadership and management issues within the marketing organization at Accenture. The program also prepared me to ask critical questions and enabled better think-through of various branding, marketing and communications campaigns that help fulfill the organization’s business objectives. The richness of learning among participants from the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia, coupled with the opportunity to meet with senior leaders of multinational organizations during site visits in Shanghai and Bangalore provided invaluable experiences that are rarely obtained outside of such a global Executive MBA program.

2. What was your experience with having classes in four different business epicenters spanning four countries?
I love to travel, experience new cultures/adventures and meet new people. The UCLA - NUS program enabled me to have a clear sense of purpose and mission for self-improvement within 15 intensive months. During this time, I was able to foster meaningful friendships, travel to different locations especially the manufacturing and outsourcing hubs in China and India respectively, fulfill my professional objectives of moving to the next level of my journey in continuous learning and build a significant network of entrepreneurs and business professionals around the world.

3. What aspects of the UCLA – NUS experience were most valuable and why?
Firstly, the facilitation of continuous learning among leaders and executives from around the world during the well-structured 15-month program while maintaining a full-time job enabled immediate application of the learning to everyday work. Secondly, the ability to expand my network of business professionals that can create new opportunities to enhance professional growth and entrepreneurial endeavors.

4. Would you say the program format is “one-of-a-kind”? If so, did this influence your choice of program to apply to?
Yes, the sufficiently intensive format of six, two-week study segments within 15 months to obtain two MBA degrees from top-ranked universities in the U.S. and Asia provided a good opportunity to stretch and upgrade oneself personally and professionally. The program brought together like-minded, motivated executives from the U.S., Asia, Europe and the Middle East and helped foster valuable relationships and opportunities to explore new areas of business and professional role changes.

5. What has been the program’s impact on your career and leadership skills?
The necessity to juggle work and study has highlighted my capabilities and potential as well as limitations. The course content has enabled me to better appreciate business issues and equipped me with the knowledge and tools to help shape my thinking and approach towards the design and implementation of marketing campaigns, as well as the ability to tackle day-to-day work issues with greater confidence.

I have also had to further prioritize day-to-day work pressures and take on challenges that come with managing teams across several markets. The intensity of the program has also shifted my focus towards becoming a better steward of the resources with which I have been entrusted. By this I mean the increasing desire to contribute and help build people’s lives, i.e., train and coach the next generation of marketing professionals and leaders, as opposed to just delivering programs.

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Steven R. Gilmore, Class of 2009 Senior Manager, Operations Support, Fabrication Division Boeing Commercial Airplanes Seattle, USA “The impact of conducting class sessions in Singapore, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Bangalore offers an “up front and personal” view of the cultural differences that affect business deals and professional relationships.”

Place of Birth: Pensacola, Florida, USA

Previous Education: B.A. in Architecture, University of Washington, USA.

Work History: I was hired into Boeing directly out of college and have been with the company for over 29 years. I’ve had assignments that have ranged from implementing new computing technologies in defense related programs to running business operations in organizations with as many as 4,100 engineers, evaluating outsourcing of selected manufacturing to 3rd party international supplier partners as well as establishing key joint ventures.

My current assignment is providing leadership to the Operations Support organization within Fabrication Division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. In this capacity we coordinate the manufacture and delivery of key electrical assemblies for all commercial Boeing aircraft and work with our suppliers to ensure smooth delivery of these critical components. We have a global network of key suppliers in areas such as China, Turkey, Morocco, The Netherlands, Mexico as well as several locations in the United States. Most recently I’ve been involved in decisions involving the location of a second production line for the 787 and dual line fabrication of major structures, interiors, and composite assemblies in support of this second production line.

Personal Information:I enjoy serving as a board member on the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce representing The Boeing Company, travel and outdoor activities with my boys, fishing, gardening and photography. Alaskan fishing trips with my father and sons are a true joy and hope to continue this tradition as long as possible.

Steven’s Perspective

1. As someone already so accomplished in his career, why seek an MBA too? What sets the UCLA – NUS dual Executive MBA program apart?
The UCLA – NUS Executive MBA offers an exceptional opportunity to establish relationships with attendees from all around the globe, in a multitude of industries in international settings that contribute to a unique learning environment. The impact of conducting class sessions in Singapore, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Bangalore offers an “up front and personal” view of the cultural differences that affect business deals and professional relationships.

2. What elements of the program and experience were you most impressed with?
I found the opportunity to discuss approaches to innovation and leading organizations through technology change extremely valuable, particularly since this was applied via site visits while in Bangalore and Shanghai. These company visits were extremely insightful and difficult to bring into a purely academic environment. Having an opportunity to develop and nurture personal relationships with the other students while in foreign locations was also highly beneficial. No doubt many of these relationships will be lasting.

3. What has been the program’s impact on your career and leadership skills?
Without a doubt, I’ve learned not to take myself so seriously, rely more on the skills of others, and have a greater awareness of the impact of cultural sensitivity. After having traveled extensively, I’ve learned to embrace a greater sense of humility than before, and find that cultural awareness goes a long way in establishing personal and professional relationships with people from around the world.

4. What aspects of the UCLA-NUS experience have been most valuable and why?
The professors are absolutely first-rate, both from UCLA and NUS. The classes are intensive, but it was the ability to work in teams that I found most valuable. This is all part of establishing relationships, determining strengths of team members, and capitalizing on them to the benefit of everyone that was so valuable. The world is extremely complex, and the more minds you can bring to a challenge, the better the solution.

5. Has there been an experience that challenged you in a way you didn’t expect?
Again, this gets back to the heightened awareness of cultural differences and how important it is to listen (and not talk all the time). We, as executives, tend to talk too much and listen too little. I found myself gravitating towards helping others in the program get through challenges and making sure everyone understood that the goal was to see that everyone got through the program, rather than a strictly competitive, traditional academic program.

6. Would you recommend this program to other candidates? Why/ Why not? What advice would you have for prospective candidates?
This program challenges all participants, regardless of where they are in their career. I was one of the most senior participants, and went into the program thinking that there may not be that much that would be new to me. I couldn’t have been more incorrect. I have strongly recommended that others take this program due to the international influence. The business world is truly global, and the more sensitized we are to the cultural differences the better we are prepared for the realities of international markets. No longer can we be confined to doing business within just the United States. The growth opportunities in the international markets are too significant to be overlooked.

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