Kelly Pontecorvo

1. Why did you choose to go back to school for an MBA? And why did you choose RSM?

“I chose an EMBA because I am uncomfortable being comfortable. I was at a point in my career where I wanted a new challenge and to expose myself to peers with different skills, education and specialties. It would also be a place to expand my network in the Netherlands, after living here for three years as an American Expat. Additionally, I work with colleagues globally, so having an educational experience that was international and diverse was also crucial. That is why I knew the RSM Executive MBA (EMBA) was the programme for me.”

2. How is the Executive MBA preparing you to do business in an uncertain world?

“The EMBA is preparing me for an ever-changing world, bringing real experiences into the classroom discussions. In most lessons, the classroom allows us to share the day-to-day challenges we face in our careers and it provides us with the opportunity to discuss among ourselves and with our expert faculty. In addition to the class being highly international, we also have the opportunity to visit businesses around the world with a study trip that exposes us to various industries and sectors, helping us to brainstorm ways to solve business challenges.” 

3. How would you describe your RSM EMBA experience so far?

“My experience so far has been rewarding – both in building a network with like-minded students and in engaging with our professors – particularly given the leadership and teamwork. We work regularly in a group setting that encourages learning and leverages each other's strengths. For me, this experience is building bonds within our section that will last a lifetime. 
The opportunity to learn during the study trip and electives is also interesting. We gain different perspectives from those sitting at different points in their careers. This is invaluable to apply to my workday and to our classroom.” 

4. What has been the most challenging assignment or course during the EMBA so far? How did it challenge you?

“Financial Management really challenged me. I have not needed to work with numbers and accounting in that way since my undergraduate years. However, it is an area I recognised I needed to grow in to feel comfortable reading financial statements and creating budgets. The assignments and classwork were outside of my usual strengths, and required me to think differently.”

5. How have you applied new knowledge and skills from both inside and outside of the classroom in your current role? 

“Since starting my EMBA, I have become a people manager and believe this is where I have applied new skills and knowledge the most! Being exposed to leadership principles both in PLD and Leading People classes have helped to shape a leadership framework and define the values I want to lead with. Additionally, our projects that require groupwork, especially across multiple classes and deadlines, have created a dynamic in which we all needed to be leaders in different ways – e.g., I am learning how to leverage my team's strengths and prioritise efforts and coaching – both in the classroom and in my role.”

6. What impact does the Personal Leadership Development (PLD) component of the programme have on you?

“The PLD portion of the programme has been one of my favourite aspects of the EMBA and a major highlight. It has enabled us to build a team, which we have partnered with throughout the entire programme. PLD remains the only constant through the dynamic curriculum and with this, we can grow together through coaching and shared experiences. These interactions closely tied to how I manage my team at work. As a new people leader, I can directly apply learnings to how I manage my team and to how I drive my values with my projects and interactions. In my role, I collaborate across many internal roles, so the ability to influence and lead with my newly recognised strengths has been extremely valuable.

The life journey exercise was also an impressive insight for me to recognise patterns throughout my life and career that have brought me to where I am today. It’s provided a clear reasoning as to why I make the choices that I do and has helped me to realise where I can potentially break these patterns in the future to avoid similar mistakes and hardships.”

7. If you had to choose one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to contribute to business, which one would you choose, and why?

“One sustainable development goal that I hope to contribute to is Health and Wellness. I work in the healthcare and health education sectors, with products that provide clinical decision support and reference tools to clinicians around the world. I love working in this space as I believe it is an amazing opportunity to spread knowledge of health trends and treatments in a global setting and to partner with businesses, governments and societies to ensure equal access to health knowledge.”

8. How have you utilised the alumni network so far?

“Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to use the alumni network too broadly yet. However, I have connected with alumni from my company prior to selecting the programme. Their experience was absolutely useful for me to know that RSM was the right choice of an EMBA for me.” 

9. Has your MBA journey changed your outlook on your career? If so, how?

“In terms of my career, I believe the EMBA has provided me with opportunities to see the diversity of options out there for MBA graduates. I have been on a singular career path for much of my professional life, expanding responsibilities in a specific area. Still, I am not sure if it’s the only path I want to pursue. Being in the RSM EMBA has exposed me to varying industries and career pathways that I would otherwise not have known about or had access to. Specifically, my study trip has exposed me to professors and professionals in a space I had little previous knowledge of; eye-opening and exciting to think what the future can hold!” 

10. How is an MBA from RSM setting you apart from your colleagues and peers?

“The EMBA from RSM sets me apart from my colleagues and peers with its diversity – both in curriculum and with regards to its student body. It was crucial for me to select a programme with an international cohort and focus, which is exactly what I am experiencing. Additionally, I am excited to now jump into our electives module with options across various topics and skills. It’s a great compliment to our first module of classes focused on finance, leadership, marketing, and data, to now lean into the skills and knowledge I am truly interested in.”