GEMBA

The Rotman - SDA Bocconi Global Executive MBA

Truly global, distinctly personal.

Next Start 27 Sep 2024
Duration 18 Months
Language English
Format Modular
Avg. working
experience
15 years
Where Milano, Roma, Toronto, Mumbai, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Shanghai, SĂŁo Paulo

The Rotman-SDA Bocconi Global Executive MBA (Master in Business Administration) is a modular program that combines the expertise and perspectives of a leading European and a leading North American business school in a transformative journey hosted in international business hubs. A launching pad for future career phases and an integrated preparation for senior management roles, GEMBA provides a highly personalized focus on leadership development, and introduces participants to a global network of exceptional managers, faculty, executives and thought-leaders.

 

This unique 18-month program, spanning eight cities in four continents, will change the the way you think, network and do business in some of the world’s biggest markets and will give you a wider range of opportunities, contacts and experiences. The Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA is offered in partnership with the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto in Canada.

 

Who is it for?

The Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA will expand your global understanding, and personal horizons as a future leader. GEMBA is the right program for you if:

  • You want to benefit from an inclusive outlook that bridges continents as you earn two credentials from top-ranked Schools with connections worldwide.
  • You want to experience a transformative program hosted in seven key business hubs, immerse yourself in local cultures, while building knowledge and skills for an ever-changing, interconnected world.
  • You want to gain insights into sectors where our schools have special expertise, and compare perspectives in our home cities: Milano - Italy’s entrepreneurial, industrial, and financial center - and Toronto - Canada’s multicultural financial capital and innovation hub.
  • You want to develop a highly personalized focus on leadership challenges and enter a global network of exceptional managers, executives, and thought-leaders.

 

 


 

My GEMBA in 60 seconds - Alfonso Lavorgna

My GEMBA in 60 Seconds - Salome Pirtakhiya

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Why choose us?

1. Global Advantage: Europe, Americas, Asia

Milano, Roma, Toronto, Mumbai, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Shanghai, São Paulo: immerse yourself in the local cultures of eight international business centers, cross borders, bridge continents and transcend insular thinking.

2. Two credentials and two networks

A Global Executive MBA from SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. The combined strength of these brands will position you for lifelong success.

3. Insight sharing with thought leaders

Learn from globally focused faculty, who can offer guidance, act as mentors and open doors to new opportunities. And share firsthand insights into global business challenges with corporate leaders on campus and on site tours.

4. Flexible format, timing and location

Combine professional, personal and learning opportunities no matter where you are located, through the flexible executive format that blends residency modules around the world with distance learning.

5. Personalized Leadership Development Program

Grow your potential as a leader through regular personal assessments, skills workshops, coaching conversations and a leadership retreat.

Highlights

#8
WW

QS Executive MBA Rankings 2023:
Joint Programmes

2
Credentials

from top-ranked Int'l schools

8
Cities

Milano, Roma, Toronto, Mumbai, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Shanghai, São Paulo

Rotman

In partnership with
Rotman School of Management

Scholarships and Tuition Waivers

The GEMBA Class

15
Years

Average Work
Experience

40
Years

Average Age

36%

Women

33
Participants

Class Size

Inside My GEMBA SDA Bocconi programs offer a unique and personalized learning experience. Enter the world of GEMBA to discover its unique contents.

“At SDA Bocconi we take the GEMBA meaning seriously. It is a “global” executive MBA, designed to equip future leaders to manage global challenges: an indispensable prerequisite to prosper with your organization and reinforce your career development.”

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Ferdinando Pennarola
Director

"It is not easy to create truly sustainable value for a business — or for yourself. In this program, we teach you the former and help you achieve the latter, all with a truly global lens."

Jan Mahrt-Smith
Academic Director, University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management

What they say about us

Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
I decided to undertake Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA program since I strongly believe that learning is a never-ending process. I chose a program that, more than others, offered an innovative and global learning experience provided by two of the top business schools in the world. I was looking for a learning experience in a global environment and the program was the perfect match: modules in different business schools across the globe to leverage the diversity that comes from travelling, engaging with professionals from all over the world, understanding different cultures and ways of doing business.

Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
I decided to apply for GEMBA in a period of fast changes of the business environment in which I was working. At the point in time, I realized I needed new “tools”, new “lenses” to read the business context, and a new mindset to keep the pace and enhance my leadership skills.

How is this choice satisfying your needs?
GEMBA was an 18-months’ journey out of my comfort zone, I learnt that everything is impossible until you make it happen. I learnt how to feel at ease even if I’m out of my comfort zone and how to leverage of fast changes to progress even faster in my career. My needs were fully satisfied thanks to the outstanding faculties I met, in the different modules, across the globe and thanks to the continuous interaction with my peers, 42 talents from different regions and different businesses.

What is your most important takeaway in attending international modules across the world?
The program is built to expose participants to diversity: travelling, engaging with professionals from all over the world, understanding different cultures and ways of doing business pushes out of personal comfort zone and allow to challenge personal beliefs. Openness to change and being confident out of the comfort zone are pivotal to gain managerial confidence to approach complex settings in the work business environment.

Describe your GEMBA experience in 3 words/adjectives
Mind-blowing, as this program pushed me out my personal beliefs and comfort zone.
Challenging, as this program is a demanding lifetime experience, my work-study – family balance was quite stretched during the program but … I learnt that everything is possible if you really believe in it.
Teamwork: GEMBA is for people who are eager to learn from peers and, together, go above and beyond expectations.

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Vittoria Cortese - Italian
GEMBA 2022

Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
To “strengthen my shoulders” when I will be in charge of running the company I am working for. Also, I believe this program, besides allowing me to reach my goals of personal and professional growth, represents the "icing on the cake" for my management education. 

Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
I wish this program will help me in life to enhance my self-esteem and be braver.
My professional motivation is simply becoming the CEO of the company with full support of partners and colleagues.

How is this choice satisfying your needs?
People in the company look at what I am doing with admiration and respect. They somehow appreciate it, because they know I am doing this for the good and the future of the company.

What is your most important takeaway in attending international modules across the world?
Live globally and stretch your mind to be always open. Also, always combine a module around the world with a customer or supplier/ Principal visit. 

Describe your GEMBA experience in 3 words/adjectives.
GEMBA = Challenging your personal and professional routine.

Anything else - like a personal note - you may wish to add.
It’s not only you that apply for GEMBA, but your whole family. Don’t do it if you don’t have their full support.

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Edgar Wenzel - German
GEMBA 2024

Meet GEMBA

Upcoming face-to-face meetings
9
Apr 2024 17:00 - 20:00 | LOCAL TIME
Orientation Meetings - New York
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
10
Apr 2024 09:00 - 13:00 | LOCAL TIME
Orientation Meetings - New York
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
Upcoming online sessions
6
Apr 2024 10:00 - 15:45 | CEST
MBAs Open Day - Online
Language ITALIAN / ENGLISH
Learn More
22
Apr 2024 18:30 - 19:30 | CEST
GEMBA: One to One with the Director
Language ENGLISH
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Personalized Orientation

The Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA is a challenge to be taken on with a strong dedication. The Recruiting & Admissions team will be happy to arrange an individual informational interview at school to answer your questions and give you personalized advice. We can also do this when traveling to your part of the world, and by phone or remotely.

 

Moreover, every year the school presents the Master through a series of public events, both online and offline. This is an opportunity to speak directly with directors, faculty, alumni, and staff.

 

See all events 

Contact us for more information, to arrange a meeting, request to visit the school, or attend a class.

 

To learn more about our partner Rotman School of Management, visit the page University Of Toronto’s Rotman School Of Management

 

Next Steps

Nov 2023
Application Review Start

Go to admission

5 June 2024
Final Application Deadline
27 Sep 2024
Program Start
Mar 2026
Program End

News & Social

11 December 2023
When you touch the sky thanks to your GEMBA
Learn More
24 April 2023
Eni’s Giacomo Silvestri shares his passion for innovation and meets the challenges of the Great ...
GEMBA The Rotman - SDA Bocconi Global Executive MBA
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MBAs Open Day
06 Apr 2024

Want to discover more about the MBAs at SDA Bocconi and interact with the Directos, Students, Alumnae and Alumni, Recruiting & Admissions Team and Career Development Center?

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