Truly global, distinctly personal.
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:
My GEMBA in 60 seconds - Alfonso Lavorgna
My GEMBA in 60 Seconds - Salome Pirtakhiya
“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.”
"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."
"GEMBA is not only an exceptional program, remarkable for its depth and the international exposure it offers participants, but it also provides a truly transformative experience. It seamlessly combines valuable knowledge with meaningful relationship-building, both professionally and personally. I would describe it as a life-changing journey. Being part of this and accompanying participants along the way is a privilege and an immensely rewarding experience".
Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
My life credo is moving forward and building strong foundation for present and future achievements, which is impossible to execute without constant personal and professional development in nowadays transforming world. Let me introduce GEMBA as a program that enables to shape and leverage on experience, makes you adaptive and sustainable to changes, trains to process the information and act appropriately at higher speeds and higher quality. I am a Retail Banker with 16 years of experience in banking industry that largely determined my choice in favor of Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA. SDA Bocconi is famous for its strong and outstanding faculties in finance, banking and business management disciplines. SDA Bocconi graduates hold leadership positions in most successful companies worldwide. As we usually say: “Bocconi is everywhere”. At the same time the program is dual degree and it is not only about the advantage of having titles from American and European business schools, but it is also about the combinations of teaching and learning techniques. The two business schools balance each other and are complementary to each other. This is a great opportunity to get access to the job markets of both regions and gain network from two continents.
Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
Actually, my personal decision to enroll GEMBA was driven by the desire to get helicopter view in the fields and industries that I was not enough familiar with. My primary request was to enrich professional capital and prepare myself for a new role, to gain value as a leader on a larger stage, to enhance personal skills through working and studying in the environment of diverse and talented people
How is this choice satisfying your needs?
I truly believe that this is the best choice that could have been made. During the program, I switched from Retail credit risk management to the new role in Retail Business, successfully led and closed the acquisition deal with an international partner, overcame various complicated challenges in management of the team out of 400 people, and many more to mention. That was the experience of GEMBA in action. Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA is about getting the knowledge on main aspects about how businesses are managed and organized in any company and any industry, about common “green thread” that connects economic growth, increased social equity and a healthy environment.
What is your most important takeaway in attending international modules across the world?
It is hard to imagine Executive MBA without attending international modules and without opportunity of visiting companies. That would not be full –fledged learning and networking experienced. As one of the examples, I will bring module in San Francisco. We were running the corporate strategy course and the given framework in class was ideally demonstrated in practice by hosting companies. We were given priceless company insights, and we met a lot of interesting experts and professionals. Company visits are essential for connecting all puzzle pieces. Our cohort became a big family during international modules since we spent all the time together, learning from each other and having great time never be forgotten.
Describe your GEMBA experience in 3 words/adjectives.
Stability. Opportunity. Advantage.
Anything else - like a personal note - you may wish to add.
Be committed. Be ready to be there. Look inside and around to be sure it is the right time for you to enroll. If you are ready, jump in and you will never regret.
For almost 15 years I have been acting as a marketer, project manager and sales person in different industries. I have always tried to become a better professional seeking new opportunities, learning on the job and attending a few short term courses (soft skills trainings, coaching, as well as a mentoring program).
As a next step, I realized that I need a program that would help me become a more structured, knowledgeable, and strategic thinker and fully aware of management skills and of the many aspects of my job. In my professional environment, SDA Bocconi was highly recommended. While researching, I appreciated the GEMBA program because of the curriculum and the strategic sessions with live examples from India, US, Singapore, as well as the international perspective. Furthermore, colleagues work in different countries and sectors and all the professors have real experiences in the international business environment.
Going back to study has been quite an experience, very exciting (leaving aside the time constraints). Today I am very much motivated to contribute to the program mainly driven by my class GEMBA who are inspired professionals with diverse experiences.
Everyone is curious and eager to learn, share and accumulate expertise, an environment that can only happen in school. The network is adding value to my experience as well.
I am impressed by the professors that run the program and their commitment. I appreciate that all of them have professional experiences in addition to their academic expertise. These experiences bring a lot of value to the class.
Last but not least Milan is the city of art and fashion, the time there is amazing.
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.
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
