NYU Stern Executive Education Welcomes First Cohort of Immersive C-Suite Pathway Program to Campus
Academic Co-director Professor Sonia Marciano, ©Olivo: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
In February, the first participants of the new C-Suite Pathway Program, offered jointly by IESE Business School and NYU Stern Executive Education, arrived on Stern’s campus in NYC as part of the five-month executive education program, which kicked off in December.
The C-Suite Pathway Program prepares senior executives to excel at the highest organizational levels, and helps fast-track the path to the upper echelons of business for talented executives by enhancing their ability to navigate complex environments. It is tailored for accomplished senior executives who aspire to top-tier leadership positions, as well as newly appointed C-suite members and leaders tapped for future succession. What sets this leadership program apart is the inclusion of a Personalized Leadership Journey in which participants receive one-to-one executive coaching to hone their leadership style and capacity to drive positive change in their organizations.
This inaugural cohort participated in a mix of in-person modules at IESE's New York campus as well as online modules that combined live, online sessions with self-paced study before arriving at NYU Stern for the program’s third module, “Bolstering Your Strategic Thinking.”
Led by the program’s Academic Co-director Professor Sonia Marciano from NYU Stern, the participants explored a variety of topics covering the essentials of leadership and management, ensuring they gain the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to make the next step in their careers. The Stern module covered corporate strategy, leadership, corporate finance, entrepreneurship and business model innovation, and more.
Hear from two program participants below:
Program participant Michael McCormack in class at NYU Stern ©Olivo: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
Michael McCormack, Musgrave Group
Industry: Retail & Wholesale
Why did you choose the IESE Business School and NYU Stern Executive Education C-Suite Pathway Program?
I was looking for a program that had a number of areas of focus, including leadership development, strategy, and content that exposed me to global trends and global businesses and their leaders. The IESE x NYU Stern Executive Education C-Suite Pathway Program has definitely delivered on these goals.
What was your favorite part of the program?
Being able to meet and interact with people from 14 countries and 14 industries has been the highlight for me. I learned a huge amount from the various lectures on strategy, leadership, global trends, etc., but it was great to also be able to learn from interacting with leaders who operate in different countries, cultures, and industries to address our similar opportunities and challenges.
How are you planning to apply your learnings to your career?
I am already thinking differently as a result of this program, both about our business and about myself and my leadership style.
What were the insights you gained from the Personalized Leadership Journey?
There were a couple of key learnings for me: first is the importance of ensuring you look after yourself if you want to lead successfully. This includes what you eat and drink, how much sleep you get, what you read, just to name a few. The second key learning for me is the power of listening, and more specifically active listening. Finally, I was able to reinforce a long held view that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Program participant Stephanie Miano in class at NYU Stern ©Olivo: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
Stephanie Miano, vice president of sales at NADRI
Industry: Jewelry & Accessories, Fashion & Luxury, Retail & Wholesale
Why did you choose the IESE Business School and NYU Stern Executive Education C-Suite Pathway Program?
I had been exploring a variety of doctorate programs in an effort to continue on my path to the C-Suite. However, through my research, I came across the IESE x NYU Stern Executive Education program. The overall program structure was exactly what I was looking for: a flexible format that will fast track my route to the C-Suite by enhancing my leadership skills and business skills. The reputation and global reach of Stern and IESE had a significant impact on my decision.
What was your favorite part of the program?
My classmates are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. The class is composed of people from all over the world, which accentuates the global nature of the program. We have exchanged experiences from a vast background of industries while at the same time instantly developing friendships – it has been a great testament to the power of humanity. As I have been making my way up to the senior level of my career, I am always exploring new ways to elevate my executive presence, and this was the best part of the program as it offered the chance to meet new people while learning at the highest level.
How are you planning to apply your learnings to your career?
Each class is immediately applicable to long- and short-term strategy. I have already been able to successfully apply the learnings and advance the company I work for, NADRI, as a brand from the courses covering a variety of topics such as AI, innovation, and leadership.
Through the course study, I have also furthered my understanding of best practices to handle tough issues with flexibility and adaptability while operating as an assertive but empathic leader. All of this was possible because of the faculty in the program – they are fantastic with their delivery and knowledge of each subject.
What were the insights you gained from the Personalized Leadership Journey?
There are amazing insights that I have learned in this concentrated program - I would have to say the biggest takeaway is trusting your gut to take calculated risks. For example, before starting this program I was unsure of what would come my way, but this has been one of the best career decisions I have ever made, and it will absolutely pay off tenfold. It’s a reminder to always go with your gut, whether in life or business, and to never give up on your dreams because your next move could be your biggest.