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.

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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.

Tanya Hussein

Tanya Hussein

  • Iraq/USA
  • Generation 2023
  • Finance Professional | Customer & Financial Services
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Indranil Roy

Indranil Roy

  • India/Canada
  • Generation 2021
  • Business Development Manager at CIBC, Board Member, Belgian-Canadian Business Chamber
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Pawan Kumar Rajan

Pawan Kumar Rajan

  • India/Bahrain
  • Generation 2023
  • Manager – Electrical & Automation | Manufacturing & Industrial Operations
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Tanya Hussein

Tanya Hussein

Iraq/USA Generation 2023 Finance Professional | Customer & Financial Services Linked
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Highlight: Tanya, originally from Baghdad and now based in Pennsylvania, entered the Alfred Ford School of Management as a full-time professional balancing work, family, and the desire to grow beyond her current role. With more than six years of experience supporting customers in the financial services sector, she wanted an MBA that would build her leadership, sharpen her analytical skills, and give her the confidence to support people navigating financial challenges.
The online format of the AFSM MBA was exactly what she needed: flexible, diverse, and designed for self-paced learning. Through the program, she strengthened her strategic thinking and improved her communication and collaboration skills — qualities she now applies daily in her interactions with clients and colleagues.

“Make sure it is credentialed in the USA.”

A reminder from her own journey: do your due diligence, understand the accreditation framework, and make choices confidently.

Advice: Stepping into an MBA pushes you out of your comfort zone. Embrace that discomfort. It’s where leadership ability, professional maturity, and new opportunities begin.

Interesting: Tanya’s long-term vision is rooted in service. After years of watching customers struggle with budgeting, debt, and financial anxiety, she wants to become a specialist in money management — someone who can guide others toward stability and well-being.
Her academic background in history and her cross-cultural experience add depth to her leadership style, helping her understand people, context, and behaviour in ways that go beyond spreadsheets.
Although she hasn’t yet had a career jump, she considers the program valuable for personal growth, increased confidence, and improved professional communication.

Why Tanya Chose AFSM: Flexible online structure suited for full-time professionals | Strong focus on conscious leadership | Diverse international student community | The drive to advance into leadership and financial coaching roles | Desire to gain broader business knowledge and strategic capability | Interest in helping others achieve financial well-being through ethical guidance.

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Indranil Roy

Indranil Roy

India/Canada Generation 2021 Business Development Manager at CIBC, Board Member, Belgian-Canadian Business Chamber Linked
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Highlight: With over 21 years of experience in the Canadian banking sector, Indranil turned to the Alfred Ford School of Management to refine his leadership and managerial capabilities. The flexible, high-quality MBA program allowed him to study alongside work and family responsibilities — helping him achieve career growth while staying grounded in values. He describes the residency as a defining experience that sharpened his skills, fostered peer collaboration, and solidified the impact of conscious leadership in action.

“The program reshaped how I lead, think, and work. I became more strategic, focused, and conscious — not just as a banker, but as a leader.”

Advice: “Be disciplined. The value you get from this program is directly linked to how you manage your time. It’s a great return on both your investment and your effort.”

Interesting: Indranil managed to switch companies and gain greater responsibility even before completing the MBA. He attributes much of that transition to the program’s emphasis on adaptability, ethics, and decision-making under uncertainty.

Why Indranil Chose AFSM: Strong focus on conscious leadership — a rare find among global MBA programs | World-class faculty he recognized and respected | Format tailored for working professionals needing flexibility | Desire for growth that is not just professional, but also ethical and values-driven.

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Pawan Kumar Rajan

Pawan Kumar Rajan

India/Bahrain Generation 2023 Manager – Electrical & Automation | Manufacturing & Industrial Operations Linked
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Highlight: Pawan, originally from Munger and now based in Bahrain, joined the Alfred Ford School of Management with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the manufacturing sector. Working in a highly demanding industrial environment, he wanted to elevate his strategic thinking, strengthen his leadership confidence, and gain the managerial breadth required for higher responsibility — and eventually his own consultancy or manufacturing venture.

The AFSM MBA delivered precisely that. Throughout the program, Pawan sharpened his ability to make conscious, strategic decisions, expanded his management capabilities, and cultivated resilience and adaptability essential for fast-moving industrial contexts. During the MBA, he advanced within his company, applying the program’s principles directly to his leadership role.

“It’s absolutely worth pursuing alongside your job or business. The conscious leadership focus is a gamechanger.”

Advice: Take the step. Balancing the program with full-time work is possible, and the transformation in leadership and clarity of thinking is well worth the commitment.

Interesting: Despite his long experience in automation and industrial operations, Pawan felt a growing need to deepen the human and ethical dimensions of leadership. He appreciated the diversity of the AFSM cohort and the flexibility of the online format, which allowed him to study without disrupting his professional responsibilities. The conscious leadership approach especially resonated with him, offering a fresh counterbalance to the often rigid and process-driven world of manufacturing.

He also valued the one-week Belgium residency at Radhadesh — a unique aspect of the program that added cultural depth and strengthened his sense of purpose.

Why Pawan Chose AFSM: A desire to elevate strategic decision-making and soft skills | Conscious leadership approach aligned with personal values | Flexible online structure suitable for demanding industry roles | Strong faculty support and real-world case learning | Global classroom for cross-cultural insight | A clear path toward advancing his career and building his own consultancy.

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Rebecca Raby

Rebecca Raby

  • Brazil/Thailand/France
  • Generation 2024
  • Assistant Project Manager | Healthcare Industry
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Fouad Ben Larbi

Fouad Ben Larbi

Branko Drljača

Branko Drljača

Rebecca Raby

Rebecca Raby

Brazil/Thailand/France Generation 2024 Assistant Project Manager | Healthcare Industry Linked
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Highlight: Rebecca, a French healthcare professional with over 16 years of experience in sales, marketing, and project management, chose the Alfred Ford School of Management to elevate her leadership skills and ethical decision-making. Balancing full-time work, family, and study, she found AFSM’s flexible online format and values-based teaching the perfect fit for her growth goals—both professional and personal.

Advice: “Focus on getting as much out of the program as possible. With a full-time job and a family, time and energy were often limited. I did my best to apply the learning to real life—but if I’d had more time, I could have gained even more from the experience.”

Interesting:
Rebecca specifically sought an MBA that aligned with her ethical values and her role in the pharmaceutical industry, where moral standards are not optional. Her 9/10 ratings across every category reflect a fulfilling and empowering journey—one that sharpened her communication, boosted her confidence, and solidified her identity as an ethical leader.

Why Rebecca Chose AFSM: Emphasis on Conscious Leadership | Fully online and flexible for working professionals | English-language delivery with French accreditation | Curriculum taught by industry experts and aligned with real-world business practices.

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Fouad Ben Larbi

Fouad Ben Larbi

Belgium Generation 2025 Customer Success Manager & Founder of Neoshore Linked
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Highlight
Fouad’s path to the Alfred Ford School of Management began with a dream to become a purpose-driven entrepreneur — and a promise to lead by example for his daughters, Nisrine and Mayssa. After years of experience as a Business Development Manager in international companies, he launched his own outsourcing firm, Neoshore, and joined AFSM to consolidate his real-world experience with ethical, conscious leadership.

“This journey is more than a degree — it’s about proving to my children that with self-sacrifice and determination, we can overcome any limit.”

Advice to My Past Self
“Don’t hesitate. This program will challenge your mindset, push you to grow, and show you what it means to lead with integrity. Be ready to give it your all — the rewards will come.”
Interesting: Before joining, Fouad proactively reached out to AFSM students to understand the school’s values and expectations. Their reflections, along with AFSM’s mission to build ethical and visionary leaders, confirmed he was in the right place. Today, he uses the MBA teachings to lead his company with greater purpose and clarity.
Why Fouad Chose AFSM: A strong focus on Conscious Leadership aligned with his values | Flexible online format compatible with a business owner’s schedule | A visionary institution that values ethics alongside business results | Desire to consolidate over 20 years of experience into a formal, ethical business framework.

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Branko Drljača

Branko Drljača

Croatia Generation 2025 Head of Social Entrepreneurship | NGO Sector Linked
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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

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Harsha Bhamidipati

Harsha Bhamidipati

Beth Rumack

Beth Rumack

Gaytree Appadu Townsend

Gaytree Appadu Townsend

  • Mauritius/Havaii/USA
  • Generation 2023
  • Supervisor, Environmental & Housekeeping Services | Healthcare
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Harsha Bhamidipati

Harsha Bhamidipati

India/Canada Generation 2021 Contracts Specialist | Financial Sector Linked
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Highlight: For Harsha, spirituality and leadership go hand in hand. As a Contracts Specialist in Canada with a deep desire to start her own business, she sought an MBA that combined practical business knowledge with ethical and spiritual depth. At the Alfred Ford School of Management, she found the perfect blend: conscious leadership, flexible learning, and a deeply supportive community. The program helped her switch companies, grow professionally, and rediscover purpose in her career path.

“AFSM doesn’t just teach business — it teaches you how to lead with values, purpose, and joy. It’s a rare program that shapes both the manager and the human being.”

Advice: “Don’t hesitate. This program will transform how you think, lead, and live. You’ll gain confidence, direction, and the skills to shape a company that puts people and purpose first.”
Interesting: Harsha rated the program 9/10 across nearly every category — from faculty and flexibility to career growth and content. She attributes her recent career advancement and vision for a values-based innovation and construction company to what she learned at AFSM. Her long-term goal? To create workplaces where people feel truly happy and fulfilled.
Why Harsha Chose AFSM: The only accredited MBA focused on Conscious Leadership | Online format, ideal for working professionals | Integration of ancient wisdom with modern management | Faculty and student community rooted in values and personal growth | Rich curriculum with real-world case studies and spiritual depth.

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Beth Rumack

Beth Rumack

USA Generation 2023 Director of Nursing | Healthcare Leadership Linked
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Highlight: Beth brought more than 20 years of healthcare experience into her MBA journey, stepping into the program as a seasoned clinical leader from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She chose the Alfred Ford School of Management because she wanted something American MBA programs rarely offer: a globally minded education grounded in conscious leadership and human-centered decision-making.
During her studies, she not only grew academically — she switched companies, earned a major promotion, and stepped into higher responsibility with clarity and confidence. Her perfect scores across satisfaction, expectations, value, and quality reflect how deeply the program resonated with her personal mission to transform healthcare through safer, more effective, more compassionate leadership.

“Go for it!”

Advice: Take the leap. The more you immerse yourself in the program, the more it shapes your confidence, your leadership presence, and your ability to influence meaningful change.

Interesting: Beth’s vision is ambitious and deeply service-oriented: to rise into executive leadership — ideally a healthcare presidency — where she can merge clinical insight, strategic thinking, and conscious leadership to create environments where care is elevated and human dignity is protected.
She also carries a strong commitment to diversity and inclusive leadership, aiming to influence her field not just through expertise, but through values.
AFSM’s diverse cohort, globally oriented curriculum, and supportive faculty gave her the kind of perspective she felt was missing from traditional U.S. MBA programs.

Why Beth Chose AFSM: A rare MBA focus on conscious leadership and human capital | Globally informed curriculum beyond the traditional American model | Flexible online structure for demanding healthcare roles | Engaging faculty who support and guide students personally | Practical, real-world projects that connect directly to clinical leadership | A diverse, international student community offering new perspectives | A pathway to executive healthcare leadership rooted in ethics and innovation.

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Gaytree Appadu Townsend

Gaytree Appadu Townsend

Mauritius/Havaii/USA Generation 2023 Supervisor, Environmental & Housekeeping Services | Healthcare Linked
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Highlight: Gaytree has spent more than 20 years serving in leadership roles within healthcare’s environmental and housekeeping services — positions where compassion, discipline, and responsibility shape the quality of patient care. Born in Pamplemousses and now living in Honolulu, she chose the Alfred Ford School of Management because she wanted leadership education rooted not only in skill, but in ethics, character, and conscious service.
The MBA helped her deepen her strategic thinking, sharpen her ethical decision-making, and strengthen her capacity to guide others with clarity and purpose. For her, conscious leadership was not a concept — it was a way to bring dignity and humanity back to the workplace.

“This MBA is good for personal growth rather than career growth. I am very grateful to the professors who have good academic knowledge.”

Advice: In the U.S. leadership landscape, especially at mid-senior levels, specialized master’s degrees often carry more weight. Her advice is practical: understand your goals before choosing the path — and if your focus is personal transformation, AFSM provides it in abundance.

Interesting: Gaytree entered the program with a deep philosophical intention: to understand how personal development and career development can be aligned, rather than split. After 17 years of supervising teams and studying human behaviour on the job, she wanted academic tools that would help her lead without personal bias, without attachment to organisational politics, and with a higher sense of service.
She consistently appreciated AFSM’s diverse community, supportive faculty, and the ethical foundation of the curriculum. While the program did not immediately shift her career trajectory, it expanded her clarity, sense of purpose, and understanding of what leadership truly means.

Why Gaytree Chose AFSM: A rare MBA rooted in conscious leadership and ethical service | Desire to blend personal and professional development | Comprehensive curriculum accessible online from anywhere | Supportive faculty and diverse global classmates | Real-world learning through practical projects | A platform for inner growth, value-based decision-making, and leadership maturity.

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