Executive Education Participant Spotlights

Read stories about the people who participate in Executive Education programs and the transformational experience Stanford GSB had on their careers.

School Stories & News Opensearch
August 04, 2023
Written

Ready to Move Up: A Director Gains Key Insights into the Dynamics of Power

A conversation with Kristina Alvarez about her experience in the Executive Program in Women’s Leadership
Kristina Alvarez
June 13, 2023
Written

An Innovator Embraces the Need to Think Bigger

A conversation with Tiago Aguiar about his career and experience in the Driving Innovation and New Ventures in Established Organizations program
Tiago Aguiar
May 23, 2023
Written

A Manager Gains Confidence and Inspiration for Her Day Job and Her “Gay” Job

A conversation with Deepthi Rao, a Meta product manager and global product advocacy lead for Pride@Facebook and participant in the LGBTQ Executive Leadership program.
Deepthi Rao
May 11, 2023
Written

LGBTQ Executive Works to “Close the Gap” in Business DEI Practices

Marina de la Torre completed Stanford’s first-ever LGBTQ Executive Leadership Program. She now advocates for inclusive hiring practices and a corporate culture that welcomes all.
Marina de la Torre
May 10, 2023
Written

Human and Environmental Rights Changemaker Takes Foundation into the Future

The Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders helped Maria Clara Tucci complete her evolution from finance executive to nonprofit leader.
Maria Clara Tucci
April 21, 2023
Written

Founder of Maternity and Postpartum Brand Ready for Next Big Steps

Ingrid Carney, CEO of Ingrid + Isabel, needed financial insights to take her brand into the future. Finance and Accounting for the Nonfinancial Executive is helping her get there.
Ingrid Carney
April 20, 2023
Written

An HR Business Partner and Learning Manager Boosts Her Own Negotiation and Leadership Skills

A conversation with Ghina Filiana about her experience in the High-Potential Women Leaders Program
Ghina Filiana
April 17, 2023
Written

Finance Executive Expands His Perspective, Steps Up to the Role of CFO

The Stanford Executive Program broadened Chris Garber’s worldview and community, and helped prepare him for his role as CFO at Guild
Chris Garber
March 29, 2023
Written

An Architect Turned CEO Boosts Her Skills in Sealing the Deal and Embracing the Win-Win

A conversation with Kate Thompson about her experience in the Influence and Negotiation Strategies Program
Kate Thompson
March 29, 2023
Written

Partner at Global Business Advisory Firm Renews Himself as a Leader

The Executive Program in Leadership: The Effective Use of Power gave Nick Donkar new insights to elevate his leadership skills — inside and outside his company.
Nick Donkar
March 24, 2023
Written

Giving Ukrainians Maimed by War a Second Chance at Life

Andrey Stavnitser shifted his focus from running his businesses to establishing a rehab clinic for people who lost limbs in the war. He calls it the Superhumans Center.
Andrey Stavnitser
March 06, 2023
Written

Energy Industry Veteran Prepares for New Role on Board of Directors

Ellen DeSanctis was senior VP at a multinational corporation when she retired. But her work wasn’t done. The Directors’ Consortium helped her prepare for the next chapter.
Ellen DeSanctis
March 02, 2023
Written

CEO Leads 100-Year-Old Waste Management Company Into the Future

The Leading Change and Organizational Renewal program gave Salvatore Coniglio the knowledge and frameworks to modernize a company built on tradition.
Sal Coniglio
February 27, 2023
Written

New Strategies, Empowerment, and 32 Pages of Notes

A conversation with Melinda Joseph about her experience in The Emerging CMO: Strategic Marketing Leadership
Melinda Joseph
February 03, 2023
Written

Leveraging AI in Business: Exploring Opportunities and Weighing Perspectives

A conversation with Oz Ozturk about his career and experience in Harnessing AI for Breakthrough Innovation and Strategic Impact
Oz Ozturk
January 30, 2023
Written

A Leader Focuses on Growth and Community Culture in a Post-COVID World

A conversation with Catherine Jones about her career and experience in the Executive Program for Growing Companies
Catherine Jones
January 30, 2023
Written

Organizational Change Through New Systems and a Holistic Approach

A conversation with Alessia Pappalardo about her career and experience in Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
Alessia Pappalardo
January 28, 2023
Written

Developing Her Influence and Leadership Skills

A conversation with Kyleen Walker about her career and experience in the Black Leaders Program
Kyleen Walker
January 27, 2023
Written

Finding Strategies and Friendship on Campus

A conversation with Alexander Gruss about his career and experience in the Executive Program in Strategy and Organization
Alexander Gruss
January 27, 2023
Written

Recognizing Your Value

A conversation with Pierre Ramos about his career and experience in Executive Leadership Development
Pierre Ramos
January 19, 2023
Written

CEO of Global Transportation Company Committed to Creating Opportunities for Others

The Black Leaders Program gave Maurice Brewster, founder and CEO of Mosaic Global Transportation, the knowledge and insights to grow as a business leader, role model, and mentor.
Maurice Brewster
January 19, 2023
Written

Product Strategist Seeks Innovations to Improve Healthcare Systems, Research, and Practices

The Emerging Chief Product Officer program gave product strategy VP Emmanuel Cocodia the skills to grow as an innovator in the health care industry.
Emmanuel Cocodia
December 20, 2022
Written

Conservancy Leader Cultivates Change, Transforms Nonprofit’s Strategy

The Executive Program in Strategy and Organization gave Layla George, MBA, president and CEO of Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the tools to transform her organization’s strategy.
Layla George
December 19, 2022
Written

CEO Takes Ride-Hailing Company from Siberia to Silicon Valley, Gears up to Drive Global Expansion

The Stanford Executive Program gave Arsen Tomsky, founder and CEO of inDrive, the tools, knowledge, and network to fuel his company’s global expansion.
Arsen Tomsky