Graduates
What Would You Tell Your Younger Self Before Starting the MBA?
At the conclusion of their MBA journey, every graduate of the Alfred Ford School of Management completes our Graduates Survey, offering candid reflections and personal advice drawn from their own experiences. Below, you’ll discover inspiring highlights, valuable advice, and insightful perspectives that provide an authentic window into how AFSM shaped their leadership, careers, and lives. This unfiltered feedback comes from professionals worldwide who embraced conscious leadership and transformative growth during their studies.
of graduates answered “Yes” when asked if they would recommend Alfred Ford School of Management to others. This reflects strong confidence in the value and impact of the AFSM program.
Source: AFSM Graduate Survey, responses collected up to June 2025.
Kumar Abinash
- India/USA
- Generation 2023
- Founder of Ayurvedic Wellness & Holistic Health Coach | Lifestyle Alignment
- Open Survey
Sean Jugmohan
- South Africa
- Generation 2025
- Academic | Head of Department | Higher Education
- Open Survey
Byll Marques Brandão
- Portugal / Norway
- Generation 2025
- Entrepreneur | Sustainability & Ethical Business
- Open Survey
Kumar Abinash
Highlight: Kumar, originally from India and now based in Michigan, brought more than 20 years of experience in IT services when he entered the Alfred Ford School of Management. With a strong technical background and a growing desire to lead with vision, purpose, and ethical clarity, he sought an MBA that would strengthen his confidence, broaden his management capabilities, and prepare him for future leadership roles — both in the corporate IT world and in the nonprofit sector he aspires to serve.
The AFSM MBA became a turning point. Throughout the program, Kumar refined his strategic thinking, deepened his understanding of conscious, ethical leadership, and developed the managerial breadth needed to guide teams and influence organizational direction. His performance led to career advancements within his company during the MBA itself, a clear sign of how directly he applied the program’s teachings in real time.
“This MBA strengthened my confidence, expanded my leadership abilities, and supported my personal and professional growth in a transformative way.”
Advice: Identify your classmates early and collaborate with them. Group study, joint assignments, and shared research create motivation, accountability, and healthy competition — all of which enrich the MBA experience.
Interesting: Kumar’s purpose has always been bigger than career advancement. He is deeply inspired by the idea of leadership rooted in values — a blend of Vedic wisdom and modern management that can uplift communities. His long-term vision is to lead a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainability, cultural enrichment, and community development.
He valued the flexibility of the online format, the depth of conscious leadership discussions, and the practicality of real-world case applications. For him, AFSM offered a rare combination: strong academic training and a spiritually grounded environment aligned with his personal values.
Why Kumar Chose AFSM: A desire to grow in conscious, ethical leadership | Strong alignment with spiritual values and community vision | Flexible online format suited for full-time professionals | Practical curriculum rooted in real-world application | Supportive global cohort | Preparation for future leadership in both corporate and nonprofit sectors | Commitment to long-term personal development and strategic thinking.
Sean Jugmohan
Highlight: Sean is a senior academic from South Africa with over 20 years of experience in higher education and institutional leadership. Holding a doctoral degree and serving as a Head of Department, he completed his MBA at the Alfred Ford School of Management at a mature stage of his career, driven by a clear intention: to strengthen how he leads, decides, and contributes. Introduced to AFSM through Back to Godhead magazine, he was immediately drawn to the school’s emphasis on conscious leadership as an integral part of daily professional life.
Through the program, Sean deepened his leadership confidence, sharpened his strategic thinking, and strengthened his ability to lead with ethics, awareness, and responsibility. He credits AFSM with enhancing his managerial competence while helping him integrate conscious decision-making into real academic and organizational contexts.
“The program strengthened my leadership and managerial abilities, especially in ethical decision-making, communication, and strategic thinking. I am more confident in how I lead people and navigate complex institutional environments.”
Advice: “It will be challenging, but remain committed until the end. The value comes not only from the knowledge, but from the discipline, reflection, and personal growth the program demands.”
Interesting: Sean rated his AFSM experience 9/10 for satisfaction and confirmed that the degree directly supported leadership advancement within his institution. Approaching formal retirement, he sees education as a responsibility rather than a finish line—an opportunity to continue contributing, mentoring, and giving back through conscious leadership.
Why Sean Chose AFSM: Focus on conscious and ethical leadership | Flexible online format suited to senior professionals | Practical application through real-world projects | Diverse and collaborative international learning community | Strong alignment between personal values and institutional leadership
Byll Marques Brandão
Highlight: Byll is a Portuguese national based in Norway with over 20 years of professional experience across sectors and a long-standing personal commitment to ethical and conscious living. Practicing Bhakti Yoga since his teenage years, he chose the Alfred Ford School of Management for its rare integration of modern management education with ancient wisdom and moral clarity. For Byll, the MBA was not a credential alone, but a structured path toward reinvention, confidence, and purposeful leadership.
Completing the program marked a decisive turning point. Through AFSM’s conscious leadership framework, practical projects, and supportive international learning community, Byll strengthened his managerial competence, strategic thinking, and ability to lead with ethical awareness. The program directly supported a successful career transition, enabling him to switch companies and pursue new professional directions with clarity and confidence.
“The program exceeded my expectations in every dimension. It strengthened my leadership skills, ethical judgment, communication, and strategic thinking. I feel empowered to lead with confidence and adaptability in changing environments.”
Advice: “Make effective use of the wide range of academic resources AFSM offers. The more you engage, the more transformative the experience becomes.”
Interesting: Byll rated the AFSM program 10/10 across satisfaction, expectations, value for money, faculty quality, and real-world relevance. After graduation, he successfully changed professional direction and experienced tangible career growth. Looking ahead, he aims to launch a green, sustainability-focused business—combining entrepreneurship, environmental responsibility, and conscious leadership—supporting local economies through ethical e-commerce and eco-friendly solutions.
Why Byll Chose AFSM: Deep alignment with conscious and ethical leadership | Integration of ancient wisdom with modern management | Flexible online format supporting career transition | Strong faculty engagement and mentorship | Practical, real-world application of business concepts | Diverse international student community
Branko Drljača
- Croatia
- Generation 2025
- Head of Social Entrepreneurship | NGO Sector
- Open Survey
Highlight: Branko is a Croatian social entrepreneurship leader with over a decade of experience in the non-profit and NGO sector. Currently heading the Social Entrepreneurship department at NGO OAZA in Zagreb, his professional journey has been shaped by a clear conviction: leadership must always be people-oriented, not task-driven. He joined the Alfred Ford School of Management after a long period of reflection, practical leadership experience, and a decisive alignment with AFSM’s values-based approach to management.
For Branko, AFSM was not a conventional career move but a natural continuation of his inner development. Having witnessed both ineffective and inspiring leadership in practice, he sought an MBA that would deepen his understanding of conscious leadership, ethics, and real human impact. The program strengthened his ability to lead with awareness, clarity, and responsibility—particularly in environments focused on youth, impact, and social change.
“The program strengthened my leadership skills, managerial competence, and ethical awareness. It helped me think more strategically, communicate more consciously, and lead with greater confidence and resilience.”
Advice: “Peer learning is crucial—don’t be afraid to share your thoughts. Use AI as a learning tool, not an answer generator, and constantly visualize how you would apply what you learn in real practice.”
Interesting: Branko rated his overall satisfaction with AFSM 10/10 and highlighted the program’s conscious leadership focus, practical application, and flexibility as key strengths. While he did not pursue an immediate career change after graduation, he uses the MBA as leverage to strengthen impact entrepreneurship programs for youth and to promote holistic, value-based leadership within local and international networks.
Why Branko Chose AFSM: Strong alignment with conscious and ethical leadership values | People-centred leadership philosophy | Practical, real-world application through cases and projects | Flexible online format suited to NGO leadership | Access to diverse peers and industry experts
