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.
William Jardim Dias
- Brazil/Belgium
- Generation 2023
- Application Engineer & Sales Support | Manufacturing Industry
- Open Survey
Ajay Kasishwar
- India
- Generation 2020
- Director – Communications, The Akshaya Patra Foundation
- Webpage
- Open Survey
Rebecca Raby
- Brazil/Thailand/France
- Generation 2024
- Assistant Project Manager | Healthcare Industry
- Open Survey
William Jardim Dias
Highlight: William, originally from the coastal city of Guarujá in Brazil, has built his professional life in Belgium’s manufacturing sector over the past decade. With 11–15 years of industry experience, he joined the Alfred Ford School of Management determined to strengthen his leadership presence, grow his confidence, and prepare himself for future managerial roles.
The MBA became a turning point: he gained sharper strategic thinking, learned to communicate consciously, and developed the self-assurance needed to take on higher responsibilities. During the program, he advanced within his current company — a direct reflection of how effectively he applied course concepts to real-world projects.
“Go ahead — it’s a great program.”
Advice: “Trust the process. Push yourself. Use the learning to grow your confidence and broaden your impact. William’s 10/10 satisfaction score reflects how meaningfully the MBA integrated with his personal goals, career development, and drive for self-improvement.”
Interesting: William’s motivation for studying at AFSM was deeply personal: he wanted a school that matched his needs, supported his growth, and expanded his global network. The diverse student community became one of his favourite aspects of the program, helping him connect with peers from different industries, cultures, and backgrounds.
He now sees himself progressing steadily toward a management position — equipped with stronger leadership skills, strategic clarity, and the ability to collaborate more effectively.
Why William Chose AFSM: Holistic personal development | Strong emphasis on conscious leadership | Comprehensive curriculum across business functions | Flexible structure for working professionals | Global and collaborative student community | A pathway to future managerial growth and confidence.
Ajay Kasishwar
Highlight: Ajay brings over 20 years of cross-industry experience and a deep commitment to service through his work in the non-profit sector. As Director of Communications at one of India’s largest food relief organizations, his professional journey has always been aligned with higher values. Yet, it was at the Alfred Ford School of Management that he found a unique path to integrate spiritual consciousness with leadership excellence. The MBA in Conscious Leadership offered him not just academic enrichment, but also a space for inner transformation.
“This isn’t just a qualification — it’s a journey of becoming a spiritually conscious thought leader. AFSM has helped me align professional impact with personal purpose.”
Advice: “Gain more clarity on the course structure early on. The deeper your understanding of the content and delivery, the better you can integrate the learnings into your leadership journey.”
Interesting: Ajay was already in a senior leadership role when he joined the MBA — but the program still created tangible advancements within his current organization. He was especially drawn to the program’s practical, case-based approach, as well as its strong ethical foundation rooted in wisdom traditions.
Why Ajay Chose AFSM: A rare curriculum that fuses management science with spiritual depth | Practical learning through real-world case studies, not rote memorization | The vision of forming leaders who are both efficient and elevated | A flexible online structure that fits the busy schedule of a senior professional.
Rebecca Raby
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.
C.V. Sirisha Dhaveji
- India/Singapore/USA
- Generation 2023
- Project Officer | Education Sector
- Open Survey
Tanya Hussein
- Iraq/USA
- Generation 2023
- Finance Professional | Customer & Financial Services
- Open Survey
Avishek Chaudhury
- India/Canada
- Generation 2025
- Project Manager, Ontario Public Service | Executive Director, Living Autism Foundation
- Open Survey
C.V. Sirisha Dhaveji
Highlight: A lifelong admirer of values-based leadership, Sirisha’s turning point came the day she met India’s former President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. His example of humility and wisdom left a lasting impression — and inspired her to seek leadership development grounded in compassion. That’s what led her to the Alfred Ford School of Management. For Sirisha, AFSM’s Conscious Leadership MBA aligned perfectly with her cultural roots, her dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, and her goal of bringing integrity and empathy into today’s competitive workplaces.
“Leadership without humility and compassion remains hollow. This program empowered my conviction that true strength lies in ethical, conscious leadership.”
Advice: “Don’t wait for things to become perfect — the world needs compassionate leaders now. This MBA is more than a degree; it’s a personal and spiritual transformation.”
Interesting: Sirisha joined the MBA while working full-time in Singapore, and her dedication paid off. She experienced career advancement during the program and rated it a 9–10 across every academic and leadership category. She credits AFSM for boosting her confidence, improving her collaboration skills, and giving her a foundation for long-term impact.
Why Sirisha Chose AFSM: Deep alignment with ethical and spiritual leadership | Strong connection to the legacy of Srila Prabhupada | An opportunity to blend project management with inner development | Practical learning for post-pandemic leadership challenges | Flexibility to study while working full-time.
Tanya Hussein
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.
Avishek Chaudhury
Highlight: Avi reached a defining moment in life — balancing a senior public-sector career, raising two sons on the autism spectrum, navigating a long, difficult divorce, and building a non-profit from scratch. He needed a program that didn’t simply add letters after his name but helped him recalibrate who he was as a leader and as a person.
AFSM became that turning point. The program’s lively case discussions, value-centered teaching, and global community gave him a new lens for leadership — one rooted in clarity, ethics, and genuine compassion. The shift was immediate: greater confidence, sharper strategic thinking, and a deeper sense of purpose that now guides both his government work and his mission to support autistic youth in Canada.
“Conscious leadership isn’t theory. It’s a way of showing up — at work, at home, and in your own mind. AFSM helped me reconnect with that.”
Advice: “Say yes — but understand that this journey will reshape you. You’ll juggle work, family, and study, but the growth you gain will outweigh every challenge. Stay open, lean into the community, and let yourself evolve.”
Interesting: Avi’s transformation wasn’t about switching jobs — it was about upgrading the person doing the job. He became more resilient, more intentional, and more attuned to the human side of leadership. Those insights now fuel his nonprofit’s expansion and his commitment to building inclusive, values-driven workplaces.
Why Avi Chose AFSM: A global, human-centered MBA that fits the rhythm of real life | A curriculum grounded in ethics, purpose, and personal mastery | Faculty who teach with both depth and empathy | A flexible structure ideal for working parents and leaders in transition | A community that makes leadership feel meaningful again.
Gopinath Bhadra
- India/Australia/Germany
- Generation 2023
- Entrepreneur | Founder, Bhadra Pvt Ltd
- Open Survey
Fouad Ben Larbi
- Belgium
- Generation 2025
- Customer Success Manager & Founder of Neoshore
- Open Survey
Abhijit Saha
- India/UK
- Generation 2025
- Business Administrator | Communications & Organizational Service (ISKCON Mayapur)
- Open Survey
Gopinath Bhadra
Highlight: Gopinath, an entrepreneur based in Sydney, brought his lifelong practice of Bhakti Yoga and a deep theological background into his MBA journey. With a BA in Theology from Radhadesh and a heart rooted in service, he chose the Alfred Ford School of Management for its rare combination of spiritual grounding and business excellence. The online format allowed him to pursue higher education while actively working on his entrepreneurial dreams.
“Business is the balance between freedom, creative expression, and service. AFSM helped me shape that vision into practical knowledge and action.”
Advice: “Have a dream project—and make it happen with the knowledge. The MBA will equip you to turn passion into impact, especially when rooted in service to others.”
Interesting: Gopinath plans to launch a multifaceted company — Bhadra Pvt Ltd — encompassing clothing, tourism, and yoga retreats. His long-term goal is to support ISKCON members by creating income-generating structures that provide security and freedom to serve spiritually. With AFSM’s teachings, he’s developing the skills to bring these aspirations into reality.
Why Gopinath Chose AFSM: Perfect alignment with his spiritual and professional goals | Flexible online format suited to working entrepreneurs in Australia | Emphasis on conscious leadership rooted in ethical principles | A holistic MBA experience that prepares leaders to uplift communities.
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.
Abhijit Saha
Highlight: Abhijit, born in Nabadwip and serving today in ISKCON Mayapur’s Communications Office, joined the Alfred Ford School of Management with a clear purpose: to strengthen his leadership foundation and become more effective in serving his community. With several years of administrative and communication experience behind him, he wanted to cultivate strategic thinking, improve collaboration, and develop a leadership style rooted in clarity, responsibility, and conscious decision-making.
The AFSM MBA supported exactly that. Throughout the program, Abhijit sharpened his leadership skills, deepened his ability to think strategically, and improved his communication practices. These developments translated into real professional advancement — he grew within his organization and began contributing with greater confidence and insight to the projects and teams he serves.
Be more inquisitive and interactive — it opens the door to deeper understanding and insight.
Advice: Engage actively with the material, ask questions, and get involved. Curiosity and interaction enrich the learning experience far beyond the assignments.
Interesting: Abhijit arrived at AFSM after exploring many online programs, but he found something unique in AFSM’s approach to leadership and management — a blend of purpose, ethics, and practical depth that resonated with his values. He was particularly inspired by the quality and intention of the faculty, whose expertise and vision aligned with his aspiration to uplift society through meaningful service.
His long-term aim is clear: to grow as a leader within ISKCON and to contribute to the community with greater competence, compassion, and strategic clarity. For him, leadership is not merely a managerial tool — it is a way to build trust, inspire confidence, and create positive social impact.
Why Abhijit Chose AFSM: A desire to strengthen conscious, ethically grounded leadership | Faculty known for purpose-driven teaching | Flexible online learning suitable for a service-based lifestyle | Practical and applicable course content | A clear path toward meaningful community service and leadership in ISKCON | Personal dedication to growth, clarity, and responsibility.
