Executive MBA Alumni Testimonials

Jimmy Cui

Manufacturing Principal Engineer
Zimmer Biomet

EMBA '23

“The hybrid on-line/residency format fits my professional and personal schedule well. The pre-residency period gave a great opportunity to get familiar with the course materials and build essential knowledges with a flexible schedule.  Then the in-person residency shifts the learning to a different level by utilizing interactive learning activities in and outside the classroom and focus on core topics/discussions among cohort and professors.”

Robert Fasciano

SVP of R&D
Micro Interventional Devices

EMBA '23

“I chose Purdue because of the University’s reputation, the blended format program and the affordable cost.”

Eric Greene

Regional Sales Manager
Sherwin Williams

EMBA '23

“I feel like the curriculum is preparing me to be successful and to be able to compete in a global market. What I have learned is going to benefit me in my career.”

Zachary Henry

Inspector Instructor/First Lieutenant
United States Government

EMBA '23

“The structure is one based on learning from your peers within the cohort, so be ready to contribute to your group. You cannot slide under the radar in this program.”

Deon Johnson

Operations Vice President
State Farm

EMBA '23

“I like that the curriculum incorporates real-world application. With each lecture, I'm able to determine how I will use the information in my job.”

Natalie Taylor Marthaler

Systems Flight Test Engineer
AeroVironment

EMBA '23

“The relationships that I have made within the cohort are a crucial part of my support system as we understand, firsthand, how each one of us is learning to balance our educational goals with our professional and personal lives. I have also been so impressed with how valuable the hybrid environment is to successful learning. The professors' lecture videos enable you to truly feel like you are in class on campus but can watch the lectures and work at a pace which is conducive to your schedule.”

Tara Nelson

IT Director - SCM
State of Indiana

EMBA '23

“Joining the Executive MBA program was a great decision. In addition to the networking opportunities with outstanding classmates across industries, the professors are the best in industry and the material covered will enhance my leadership ability globally.”

Jason McCormick

Founder
Strategic Saber Solutions

EMBA '22

“Purdue has always been an amazing place to me, like a home away from home that gives incredible education and world renowned compared to all of the other MBA programs that I looked at. Another reason I chose Purdue is the veteran support office here, and the way Purdue cherishes veterans who seek to take giant leaps in their life after service.”

Robin Steininger-Juarez

Director of Global Product Development
Tranter-LHE Group

EMBA '22

“I was drawn to the flexibility of the pre-residency portion of the program balanced with the in-person residencies. It was the best combination of flexibility with the possibility to develop lasting relationship with my fellow students.”

Debra Trueman

Director of Human Resources
The Bradford Hammacher Group, Inc.

EMBA '22

“There were several factors that led me to Purdue's EMBA program. I wanted a highly reputable program that offered the flexibility I needed as a working professional. Purdue’s consistent ranking among the top accredited executive education programs was very important to me. I also wanted more than just an online experience, and Purdue’s intermittent residency program provided the perfect combination of online and classroom learning.”

Christine Valderrama

Database Analyst
City of Chicago

EMBA '22

“Purdue's Executive MBA program initially drew me with the hybrid method of teaching. The ability to do most of the work at home and still attend a residency period was a perfect fit in my professional and personal life.”

 

Emerson Bersaghi

Global Director, Engineering Product Development
Whirlpool Corporation

EMBA '21

Emerson was featured in Poets and Quants’ 2021 Best and Brightest EMBAs. Read his full profile.

Sravan Patharla

Senior IT Delivery Manager
Daniels & Associates

EMBA '21

“The Executive MBA will help me grow as leader, equip me with the ability to look at the bigger picture from a strategic thinking and company growth standpoint, enhance my ability to make difficult and constructive decisions with respect to personnel, finance, company direction, and be a better contracts negotiator. Above all, it will help me become the best leader that I can be.”

Natalie Pecora

Director of Global Supply Chain
Baker Hughes, Oil & Gas Industry

EMBA '21

Natalia was featured in Poets and Quants’ 2021 Best and Brightest EMBAs. Read her full profile.

Diane Votjas

Regional Director of Operations
UnitedHealthcare

EMBA '21

“As a wife, mother, and professional, I have a lot on my plate. I needed a program that was focused on growing my skills in the shortest amount of time with the best possible results. If I was going to be juggling another responsibility, I needed the experience to be worth the pain. Purdue's Executive Program had the right mix of online, in person and international learning to help me grow both personally and professionally.”

Jennifer Cline

Program Manager
Corning Optical Communications

EMBA '20

"Purdue seemed to be a good balance of a well-known school with a good reputation but at a price range that was actually quite affordable both between the company and personal funding."

Dan Halverstadt

Vice President, Operational Excellence
Scope Services, Inc.

EMBA '20

 

"I really do want to be a CEO a president of an organization and I don't think it would have been possible following the track that I was originally on before I found Purdue's Business School - really being able to engage with other students and learning their paths and the different intricacies of business. - It was really was the one-on-one relationships that this program provides I think better prepared me for that type of future."

 

Jennifer Killian

Owner, Veterinarian
Newaygo Veterinary Services

EMBA '20

Jennifer is featured in Poets & Quants' list of the year's Best EMBA for 2020. Read her full profile.

Gaurav Kumar

Director
Euler Motors

EMBA '20

 

"This is my second startup. In my first startup, I was working in manufacturing consumer electronics goods and now I'm manufacturing electric vehicles.

When I came across with the Purdue University, I saw they were very good in engineering. In  courses like executive, entrepreneurship, economics, operations, I would enhance my skills.

I don't have a theoretical background. When I was working I was thinking practically. I thought I will take this program and in the program, there are like all people from different backgrounds, different skill sets. I thought I will take their experience and I apply into my current business.

In all these classes, I'm taking notes, talking to my professors. They are super available. I can talk to my professors about my company, my problems. I ask them for feedback, and they also always provide me the recommendation. I think bring this whole experience into my current business. Because of it, I will able to scale up my company to next level."

 

Allan McNear

Manufacturing Engineering Senior Manager
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

EMBA '20

"I knew that I had to do something different because I wanted to progress my career. I was driving home one day, and my boss called me. He said, 'Hey we're interested in putting you
through school and would you be interested in going to Purdue, Notre Dame or IU?' I said, 'Well, I'll call you back.' I decided that I wanted to go through Purdue's program. I wanted to get into the program because I felt that I could go more vertical within my career and it would give me the tools and the ability to utilize them.

I wasn't really sure about my leadership skills before I came into the program. I had no idea what a business Executive MBA looked like and I felt that I fit. I didn't really think that I would, but I was encouraged along the way. I believe I have the right tools and the right skill sets to be a great leader with Chrysler. The Executive MBA program will absolutely change your life. It will make you realize that you have the ability to perform at an executive level."

Jason Meridew

Director of Product Development
Zimmer Biomet Sports

EMBA '20

"What drove me to choose the Purdue program was the hybrid approach, being able to be on campus, build relationships with the cohort and also have the ability to be at home a lot of the time with family and kind of a more flexible schedule. My career goals are to get to a senior leadership position within a medical device company. So I've as I mentioned before, I've been working in the product development field, and I'd maxed out that career path with my engineering background. So to truly round out my educational background I needed to to progress and understand the finance side and the business side of management and this program really gave me an opportunity to do that."

Tony Merlie

International Controller
IDI Composites International

EMBA '20

"Purdue's EMBA program has a very well-organized admissions process. The program provides several ways to consider whether the program is the right fit for an individual. The EMBA team members were always willing to address any questions I had regarding the process. The on-campus visit and being able to attend a class also provided a wonderful opportunity to visit with existing students in the program and ask very specific questions as to their experiences and insights."

Michael Morad

Sr. Director, Global Head Quality Operations
Roche

EMBA '20

"The aspect of the Purdue EMBA program that hooked me was the hybrid approach to learning. With a demanding career with responsibility of seven sites in four countries, I needed a program that was flexible and allowed me to learn on my own time. The online courses combined with virtual group work on a weekly basis, balanced with the in-person residencies for each module, was exactly what I was seeking.

I knew the Purdue EMBA was the right program for me based on the warm and collaborative interactions I had with the program staff from day one. In each and every communication, they were extremely helpful, compassionate and sincere. Based on this, I knew I wanted to spend the next 19 months and beyond working with a professional and supportive team of staff and professors. Just like in any other organization, Purdue’s people are their most valuable asset and they were a big influence on my final decision."

 

Amy Phillip

Sr. Account Executive
SGI

EMBA '20

"I was looking for an EMBA program with the ability to connect with fellow students with a broad depth of experience. I felt that the average tenure and profile of the cohort members met that requirement. I was also intrigued by the on-campus residences which fit well with family-life balance.

After attending the on-campus site visit where I was able to meet with the current cohort, speak with the executive director and attend a class, I knew that the program was the right fit for me. It is the perfect balance of rigor and team work that I was looking for in a program."

 

Vish Thottingal

Group Project Manager
HCL America

EMBA '20

Learn more about Vish in this short video.

Paul Aoun

Sr. Director, Sales Operation
Applied Materials

EMBA '19

"The Purdue EMBA program admissions process was outstanding, including the initial interactions about potential fit for my career goals, the very informative webinars, the personalized support and responsiveness to my emails, and the very clear process and openness. It was at the right level of difficulty and I also enjoyed meeting the program team and going through the interviews."

Michael Carter

Sr. Manufacturing Manager of Operations
FCA Fiat Chrysler

EMBA '19

"As I reviewed several EMBA programs, I kept reverting back to Purdue University because of the on-campus residency option. I was impressed how the Purdue University EMBA program fosters cohorts that bring individuals from many industries and different career levels together. I think the diversity of the program will allow me to understand how to lead teams differently and make operational decisions more effectively through collective discussion during residency.

As I walked through the EMBA classrooms and met the staff, I sensed a family atmosphere where individuals can learn and interact without judgment. After this visit, I knew that the Purdue EMBA program was the right choice for me."

Ken Janicke

President, CTO, Sr. Program Manager
Engineered Solutions, Inc.

EMBA '19

"I found the Purdue EMBA Program admissions process to be a very positive experience. The streamlined application site provided easy to follow step-by-step instructions and allowed me to complete portions at my convenience. The program staff was informed, professional, and responsive. I found the interview to be a welcomed and insightful review of my personal and professional fitness for success in the program. Upon admittance, the only difficulty I encountered was waiting for my cohort class to begin!"