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.

0%

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.

Nilam Shah

Nilam Shah

  • Luxembourg/India
  • Generation 2025
  • Lead Scientist | Manufacturing & Innovation Sector
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Sylvester Bezegr

Sylvester Bezegr

Fouad Ben Larbi

Fouad Ben Larbi

Nilam Shah

Nilam Shah

Luxembourg/India Generation 2025 Lead Scientist | Manufacturing & Innovation Sector Linked
Close

Highlight: As a Lead Scientist with years of experience in Luxembourg’s multicultural environment, Nilam reached a point where technical expertise alone was no longer enough. She wanted to deepen her leadership abilities — to navigate conflict, communicate across cultures, and guide teams with strategic clarity.
The AFSM MBA gave her that bridge. Through conscious leadership training, case-based learning, and a supportive international community, she strengthened her capacity to lead with confidence, empathy, and resilience. The program enriched both her management style and her personal growth, allowing her to integrate scientific precision with human-centered leadership.

“This MBA made me more adaptable, more strategic, and more aware of the people behind every challenge. Conscious leadership changed how I work — and how I think.”

Advice: “Structure your journey. Break your Consultancy Project into clear sections, stay steady, and allow feedback to shape your path. The clarity you gain will make the entire experience much smoother.”

Interesting: Nilam entered the MBA already holding a doctoral degree — but AFSM opened doors that academic research alone never touched: emotional intelligence, ethical decision-making, and practical leadership. She now uses these strengths daily in both scientific and corporate environments and continues to advocate for more hands-on projects and professional-development opportunities for future students.

Why Nilam Chose AFSM: A flexible online format ideal for demanding scientific careers | A multicultural learning environment that mirrors Luxembourg’s workplace reality | Conscious leadership at the heart of the curriculum | Real-world case studies that link technical fields with managerial excellence | A pathway toward executive roles or launching her own venture.

Close
Sylvester Bezegr

Sylvester Bezegr

Ghana Generation 2025 Zonal Supervisor & Missionary | Non-profit Sector Linked
Close

Highlight: With more than two decades of service as a missionary and Zonal Supervisor, Sylvester joined AFSM as one of the most senior members of his cohort — a living reminder that growth has no expiry date.
He chose the program because it mirrored his own values: humility, service, ethics, and lifelong learning. What he found was a transformative experience that refined his administrative skills, strengthened his strategic perspective, and deepened his ability to lead teams with compassion and spiritual groundedness. His journey inspired many classmates, proving that leadership is ageless when the heart remains open.

“Conscious leadership widened my perspective and renewed my confidence. This program didn’t just expand my skills — it expanded my service.”

Advice: “Pursue this program wholeheartedly. It will strengthen your leadership and refine your character. The investment you make here will guide your mission for years to come.”

Interesting:Even with decades of leadership behind him, Sylvester found himself growing in unexpected ways. He applied AFSM’s teachings immediately — improving communication, fostering collaboration, and guiding his teams with greater clarity. The MBA became more than an academic path; it became a personal renewal.

Why Sylvester Chose AFSM: Alignment with his life of service | A program built on ethics and conscious leadership | Flexible study for those working in demanding environments | Practical case studies rooted in real challenges | Faculty and mentors who lead with integrity and compassion.

Close
Fouad Ben Larbi

Fouad Ben Larbi

Belgium Generation 2025 Customer Success Manager & Founder of Neoshore Linked
Close

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.

Close
Ivana Mihajlovska

Ivana Mihajlovska

  • Macedonia/Bulgaria/Belgium
  • Generation 2024
  • Consulting Professional | Early-Career Economist
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Byll Marques Brandão

Byll Marques Brandão

  • Portugal / Norway
  • Generation 2025
  • Entrepreneur | Sustainability & Ethical Business
  • Open Survey
Tanya Hussein

Tanya Hussein

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

Ivana Mihajlovska

Macedonia/Bulgaria/Belgium Generation 2024 Consulting Professional | Early-Career Economist Linked
Close

Highlight: After earning her degree in economy and management, Ivana moved abroad to work and learn new languages. But her dream of pursuing a master’s never left her. When she discovered the Alfred Ford School of Management, she found a program that offered not just flexibility, but purpose. AFSM gave her the opportunity to grow professionally and personally — and to study at her own pace while working full-time.

“It’s everything I was looking for — flexibility, supportive staff, real-world projects, and a human approach. I call it the MBA of the future.”

Advice: “Start now. Don’t wait for the perfect time — it doesn’t exist. The knowledge and confidence you’ll gain are worth the effort. This program will challenge you to grow, and it will give you the tools to make a real impact.”
Interesting: Despite being early in her career, Ivana entered the program with a clear vision: to become a manager who leads with empathy, ethics, and strategy. AFSM’s conscious leadership model resonated deeply with her, and she believes it will shape how she inspires teams in the future.
Why Ivana Chose AFSM: Online learning that adapts to working professionals | Focus on Conscious Leadership and ethical values | A truly international, diverse student community | Encouraging mentors and responsive faculty.

Close
Byll Marques Brandão

Byll Marques Brandão

Portugal / Norway Generation 2025 Entrepreneur | Sustainability & Ethical Business
Close

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

Close
Tanya Hussein

Tanya Hussein

Iraq/USA Generation 2023 Finance Professional | Customer & Financial Services Linked
Close

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.

Close
Bilal Shaar

Bilal Shaar

  • Lebanon/Saudi Arabia
  • Generation 2023
  • Sales Unit Manager | Private Sector Leader
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Kenichi Nozu

Kenichi Nozu

  • Japan/Belgium
  • Generation 2025
  • Company Director | Manufacturing & Industry
  • LinkedIn
  • Open Survey
Beth Rumack

Beth Rumack

Bilal Shaar

Bilal Shaar

Lebanon/Saudi Arabia Generation 2023 Sales Unit Manager | Private Sector Leader Linked
Close

Highlight: Bilal, an experienced sales professional living in Saudi Arabia, came across the Alfred Ford School of Management while searching for top-tier, flexible MBA programs. The Conscious Leadership MBA stood out not only for its affordability but also for its focus on ethical leadership and practical business growth. The online structure allowed him to pursue personal development while maintaining a high-level position in the private sector.

“This program helped me strengthen my leadership and self-confidence while working full-time. It gave me tools to plan strategically for my future business goals.”

Advice: “Take advantage of the flexibility and commit to deepening your leadership skills. Ask for more — more mentorship, more electives, more practical resources. Your growth depends on how much you’re willing to apply what you learn.”
Interesting: Despite earning over €100,000 annually and holding a stable management role, Bilal saw AFSM as a chance to expand his impact. He’s now focused on starting his own company, and uses insights from the program to plan strategically and lead consciously.
Why Bilal Chose AFSM: Affordable and globally accessible MBA | Emphasis on Conscious Leadership and practical self-development | Flexible online format for busy professionals | Relevant modules in strategic planning and project management.

Close
Kenichi Nozu

Kenichi Nozu

Japan/Belgium Generation 2025 Company Director | Manufacturing & Industry Linked
Close

Highlight: Kenichi brings over two decades of leadership experience from Yonago, Japan, where he serves as a company director and one of the candidates for top management within his organization. After 20+ years of professional life, he recognised the need to reconnect with business theory at a higher level. The Japanese business landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, and he wanted a structured, strategic, and future-oriented MBA to strengthen his ability to guide his company through the next era.
He chose the Alfred Ford School of Management for its flexible structure, its emphasis on conscious and strategic decision-making, and its globally diverse cohort — a rare combination that supported his development while balancing the demands of an executive role. During the program, he advanced within his company, applying course concepts directly to real organisational challenges.

“ It is tough, but worth challenging.”

Advice: “Expect effort, discipline, and rigor — and embrace them. The reward is deeper expertise, stronger leadership capacity, and a broader strategic perspective.”

Interesting: Kenichi valued the professionalism and engagement of AFSM’s faculty, who supported him throughout the online program despite time-zone differences. He consistently applied conscious leadership principles to refine his management style, improving communication, collaboration, and decision-making across his team.
His long-term aim is clear: use the MBA’s knowledge and frameworks to help his company survive economic pressures, adapt strategically, and expand responsibly in a complex Japanese market.

Why Kenichi Chose AFSM: Desire to return to academic business theory after 20+ years of practical leadership | Strategic preparation for senior corporate leadership | Comprehensive curriculum covering key management areas | Conscious leadership approach suited to ethical and sustainable Japanese business culture | Flexible online delivery for a busy executive | Faculty who actively support and interact with students across continents.

Close
Beth Rumack

Beth Rumack

USA Generation 2023 Director of Nursing | Healthcare Leadership Linked
Close

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.

Close