2018 MBAs To Watch: Andre Matos, Warwick Business School - Poets&Quants

Andre Matos

Warwick Business School

“A motivator with a high degree of initiative. Caring cross-functional leader passionate about teams and technology.”

Age: 32

Hometown: Braga, Portugal

Fun fact about yourself: I played bass guitar for an audience of about ten thousand people.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Masters in Mechanical Engineering – Energy and Environment

University of Minho, Portugal

Where did you work before enrolling in business school?

Jaguar Land Rover – Process Engineer

Bosch – Industrialization Engineer

Bang & Olufsen – Product Development Intern

Where did you intern during the summer of 2018? N/A

Where will you be working after graduation? I am exploring management positions with premium players in the automotive industry.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Team leader on the WBS/GE Case Challenge 2018

Staff Student Liaison Committee Member

Warwick Midlands Alumni Network Member

Warwick Global Energy Professional Network Member

Warwick Strategy and Consulting Professional Network Member

Warwick Entrepreneurship Professional Network Member

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m proud of conceiving, proposing and helping define the content of a series of seminars with the Professors of Practice, there are 10 of them here who have been brought in from executive positions in finance, business and industry to pass on their considerable experience. The objective of the series is to establish highly interactive sessions between MBA students and professors on topics such as real world leadership, management decision-making, applying theory into practice, and entrepreneurship. These sessions provide students with world class practitioners’ advice on key topics, therefore adding immense value to the MBA experience.

I’m also really proud of leading the winning team in Case Study Saturday, which is an internal competition at WBS involving students from various Masters courses that simulates the role of a team of consultants pitching for a contract with a client. The assessors of the challenge were seasoned WBS alumni with great experience in consulting. This made it very enriching and provided excellent opportunities for development feedback and networking.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? During my time at Jaguar Land Rover, I managed the Lessons Learnt process of a Jaguar model, co-ordinating seven engineering teams and resulting in over 65 engineering improvements estimated to save £2.1 million over 4 years. Even more than the technical challenge, what I really enjoyed about this project was its soft skills aspect. This project meant that I had to create, facilitate, and manage the communication loop of vehicle quality Lessons Learnt between the Manufacturing and Product Development teams. Often in the automotive industry, relations between these two stakeholder groups are cold at best. So, success depended on breaking silos, facilitating communication, and promoting true cooperation by making common goals clear and obvious. That’s what I achieved.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor John Colley. John is one of the Professors of Practice. He brings to the lecture theatre his vast experience of being the CEO of a FTSE listed company, blended with the critical thinking of a top academic. His Strategic Thinking lectures have shaped and broadened my perspectives and understanding about business.

What was your favorite MBA Course It’s very hard to pick a favourite module. For example, I really enjoyed Entrepreneurial Finance because it was taught in Silicon Valley and offered me a real perspective and feel of how the West Coast sees entrepreneurship, failure, and venture capital.

As I said, I also loved Strategic Thinking because it made me see and understand business in a different way, challenged my perceptions, and opened new doors – all while giving me tangible tools I’ll use throughout my career.

Why did you choose this business school? When I came to the Open Day, I was really impressed with the quality of the taster lecture by a Professor of Practice. Being an Engineer, I value the knowledge that comes from practical experience, and I believe we get to learn a lot of real-world wisdom from the Professors of Practice. WBS is also very well ranked, it’s close to where I live and offered me a good scholarship.

What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s MBA program? Show how curious you are, how much you want to learn and meet new people.

What is the biggest myth about your school? I’m not sure if it’s a myth, but I feel there is a perception that WBS isn’t in a great location. In reality, Warwickshire is fantastic, with lovely towns such as Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon, and so are the picturesque Cotswolds villages just 40 minutes away. I’ve been living in this area for five years and really enjoy it.

What was your biggest regret in business school? I have no regrets so far, I feel I’m making the most out of my MBA experience.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Azad Aafo. As a Kurd from Syria, Azad had no right to adequate education, decent employment, or even use of his own native language. He had to fight very hard to achieve university education and a career, which shows his extreme resolve and determination. Azad eventually left Syria because of the war, heading initially to Iraq and then the United Kingdom where he helped vulnerable people, the homeless and refugees, before starting the Full-Time MBA at WBS.

I’m sure Azad will one day do a lot for his people. His life shows resilience and perseverance that I’ve never encountered before, and in each story he tells me, I learn as much as in a good lecture. Even having gone through personal adversity, Azad is incredibly positive and kind. I find him incredibly inspirational and am honoured to be his friend.

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? Mariana, my wife. Her unwavering support and belief in me, filled me with the confidence of knowing this would be a journey of two.

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…very bored.”

If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the MBA experience? I would ask and encourage the students for more student-led initiatives on the MBA, such as visits, talks, seminars, and clubs. Planting that seed of entrepreneurship would promote very useful and practical skills that would enrich their MBA experience and increase the level of ownership.

What are the top two items on your bucket list? In Portugal we say one must do three things in life:

• Have children
• Write a Book
• Plant a tree

So far, I’ve only planted a tree, so I still have the remaining two to do.

In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you? Andre asked great questions that helped me see things differently.

What is your favorite movie about business? Ahead of the Class – 2005.

This movie is about leadership. It shows the life of a brilliant headmistress (Julie Walters) appointed to rescue a school that’s facing closure after the murder of its previous headmaster. In this movie, we can see amazing moments of leadership from which great lessons can be drawn.

What would your theme song be? “The Times They Are a-Changin’” – Bob Dylan

Favorite vacation spot: Azores, Portugal

Hobbies? – Playing the blues on my Stratocaster

What made Andre such an invaluable addition to the class of 2018?

“Andre is an outstanding MBA student. I first met him on the Entrepreneurial Finance module in Silicon Valley in December and I was immediately struck by his passion for entrepreneurialism and his country Portugal.

He asked very insightful questions during the classes and I spent several evenings with him discussing the finer points of being an entrepreneur and the structures needed for it to thrive in an economy. He wants to invite me over to a couple of initiatives in Portugal to help build a start-up community one day. He wants to take what he is learned back to his home country and start a project to build the entrepreneurial spirit in Portugal and I have no doubt he will succeed, he is a very determined young man.

I have dealt with many entrepreneurs over the years and the one thing that defines the successful ones is passion, perseverance and tenacity. Andre has that in bucket loads and I am sure Portugal will benefit from his passion and knowledge as he already has great technical skills thanks to his engineering background.”

John Lyon
Angel Investor and Professor of Practice Entrepreneurship & Innovation

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2018 MBAs To Watch: Antonia Instone, Warwick Business School - Poets&Quants

Antonia Instone

Warwick Business School

“I’m dynamic, values-driven and people-oriented, with a wholehearted passion for excellence.”

Age: 34

Hometown: Oxford, UK

Fun fact about yourself:  I’ve spent over a year doing voluntary work on three continents – in an informal settlement on the Bolivian Altiplano, on the beautiful West-African coast in The Gambia, and here in the UK.  While always being in situ to serve local communities, I also gained so much including some highly varied(!) transferable skills: brick-laying (and keeping the walls straight!), how to teach scores of children through a translator, catering for hundreds without breaking a sweat, and how to motivate a crowd of teenagers to get up, make friends, and seize life and all its opportunities.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Durham University – Combined Honours in Social Science (Politics, Spanish, Theology and Middle Eastern Studies)

Where did you work before enrolling in business school?  My last job was as Pastoral Care and Events Team Leader at The Titus Trust, a UK based charity.  At heart, my role involved seeking the holistic best for teenagers – that they might grow up to thrive socially, spiritually, intellectually and physically. I mentored and trained hundreds of volunteers and staff to provide high quality care to teens on activity holidays, and organised the large-scale residential events that facilitated those relationships.

People-oriented work success is sometimes hard to measure: an individual’s progress is qualitative and usually gradual over many years. So the watershed moments – when a young person changed role and moved from primarily being a recipient of care, and joined me on the leadership team to serve others – those were the moments to treasure.  Those ‘wins’ were repeated over and over again.  To other people, they’ll just be names: Emma, Jack, Sophie, Rachel, Lauren, Simon… but for me, they represent positive change and are those who have picked up the baton that was passed to them, and are running with it.

Why did I go into this line of work?  I was once one of the teenagers on the receiving end, and it changed my life.  Having benefited so much, I was honoured and delighted to be able to do the same for other and help fantastic young people with so much potential become the adults the world needs.  Technically it was ‘work’, but it rarely felt like it!

Where did you intern during the summer of 2017? N/A (The Warwick MBA is a one-year programme)

Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided – I’m exploring possibilities at the moment.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Before joining the MBA, I was awarded the ‘WBS Inspiring Women Scholarship for outstanding female candidates who are enthusiastic, engaging and inspiring role models.’  I’ve aimed to live up to that accolade every day, in how I engage with my studies, relate to my classmates, and pursue my future. As one way of embodying this, I’ve served as a student spokesperson – liaising with faculty on behalf of our class to achieve the greatest programme and success for our cohort and WBS as a whole.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? While individual academic successes like coming top of the class in exams have been great, the things I’m most proud of involve teamwork and interdependency.  I love the challenge of being thrown into a scenario and having to work hard together to solve a problem – my proudest moment involves just that: my first-ever case competition.  Elected as team presenter, I led our team to the finals. The satisfaction of having successfully come together as a new and diverse team, working well together, and having clearly presented a credible business proposition for the first time under tight time constraints was great!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? In a previous job, I ran a volunteer programme for school leavers, so they could serve in charities around the world before heading to university or the workplace. I helped hundreds of teenagers have life-changing experiences while doing valuable international voluntary service. My best days were when I debriefed returning teams – sometimes over a year after having first interviewed and selected them. The difference in character, convictions, maturity, global perspective, and self-awareness between before and after made every day’s work a day to be proud of. At the same time, the stories they’d share of what they’d done, and the impact they’d had were inspiring.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor John Colley. My background and John’s could not be more different: I’ve worked in non-profit since graduation, while John’s career has been firmly in the business arena. I’ve loved the high-calibre challenge to my worldview that his academically rigorous lectures (backed by years of practical experience) have given, and the opportunity to test my presuppositions in such an exacting context. I still may not always love the decisions that all businesses make, but thanks to John and his lectures, I understand them much better now.

What was your favorite MBA Course? LeadershipPlus – a course unique to Warwick that forces you to re-evaluate the way you think, plan, work in teams, and lead others. When else in life are you so encouraged to reflect on success, analyse failure, and think differently?  I came to business school to change direction professionally, seeking the academic insight and credentials to open new doors – and with LeadershipPlus I got a lot more. Within an academic framework, it provided opportunity for many personal ‘lightbulb’ moments and the initiative to recalibrate as I return to the workplace on graduation. I don’t just have a better grasp of the way to make business decisions, but a firmer idea of the kind of leader I want to be.

Why did you choose this business school?  WBS is renowned as an excellent business school.  Beyond that headline, what are the things that particularly attracted me?  The Leadership course; the Professors of Practice – who aren’t just great academics, but those who have used their theory in business; the diversity of the cohort… I could go on!

What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s MBA program?  Try!  You won’t regret it.  Apply – be yourself, and get ready to stretch yourself academically, and personally over the year that follows.  If you’re up for a challenge, want to be part of an excitingly diverse cohort, and are seeking to be a change-maker of the future, then Warwick could be a good fit for you.

What is the biggest myth about your school? That the workload is overwhelming. Yes, there is plenty to do, but with enthusiasm, discipline, and the support of a great cohort and faculty, it is absolutely doable.

What was your biggest regret in business school?  If I could have a do-over, I’d talk to myself in week 1 and say, ‘Say ‘yes’ to everything that interests you’. Having been out of academia for a decade, I was nervous about juggling the academic programme with wider commitments. Looking back now, I’d say to myself, ‘Don’t be nervous, just make it work. Take every single opportunity that comes along.’  I took my own advice from term two onwards, and haven’t regretted it since.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? It’s a hard call! But Ana Paschoini, a lawyer from Brazil, is certainly one of them. She is always fully engaged in every class, brings a fascinating perspective to discussions, is indefatigably cheerful and kind, and admirably juggles her MBA with being a mother to her two daughters – seemingly all without getting stressed at any point!

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? Perhaps unknowingly, a former boss is probably the one who most impacted on this decision. He was Operations Director of an NGO I worked for, responsible for leading the organisation through significant change and growth in a difficult context. His own MBA was the backbone of his professional expertise. As I looked to the future with a desire to help shape and grow public and charitable organisations, I realised an MBA would help me to accomplish that to the standard of excellence that all ventures deserve.

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…continuing work in the UK non-profit sector.”

If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the MBA experience?  I would include a residential or international trip near the very beginning. Our class recently returned from a brilliant week at Sauder Business School at UBC in Vancouver, where we not only learnt lots academically, but came together as a cohort on a new level.  We’re benefiting from it now – but if it could have happened at the start…?

What are the top two items on your bucket list? An ongoing target is to visit at least one new country every year of my life. A shorter-term item? To climb a mountain. Last summer, I climbed my first munro (a Scottish nearly-mountain). It was exhilarating, and as soon as I’d got over the exhaustion I was ready to go again!

In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you? As a friend, colleague and teammate who works hard, achieves highly, and brings out the best in others at the same time.

What is your favorite movie about business? The Big Short. It reminds me that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is… so dig to find out the real story.

What would your theme song be? “Amazing Grace” by John Newton. It might be a bit left-field, but I’m daily aware of the benefits I’ve received in every aspect of my life. This song reminds me of my un-deservingness, and makes me want to do all that I can to stay humble and to use my opportunities to serve others. For the record, I do have more mainstream taste too!

Favorite vacation spot:  A chalet in the French Alps (summer or winter), with my favourite people!

Hobbies?  I trained as a professional chef, and still love nothing more than to cook delicious food to share with people who enjoy it. My taste keeps changing, and is often inspired by the places I visit, which links to another of my passions – travel. I’m happiest discovering new cultures, learning about local histories, and meeting new people, and obviously trying the local cuisine too!  Alongside those? I’m an artist, avid reader, craft and woodwork enthusiast, and simply love doing crosswords.  I always want to learn new things so my list of hobbies is ever-evolving!

What made Antonia such an invaluable addition to the class of 2018?

“Antonia has a tremendous can-do attitude and is full of positivity. She is wonderfully calm with a lovely presence and her outstanding CV and voluntary work made her an obvious choice for the WBS Inspiring Women Scholarship. Her academic work has been outstanding so far, with very high marks and she is extremely participative in class.

Her energetic nature makes her a great team player in the syndicate groups and as part of the MBA Student Staff Liaison Committee Antonia offers constructive advice on how to improve the course and help students fully enjoy an intense year of learning.

One of the challenges of doing an MBA are the presentation skills needed, but as a qualified Public Speaking Trainer Antonia has been able to help her classmates with tips and advice and really excels in this area.

Working with non-profit organisations means Antonia brings a different set of skills and perspective to the cohort, she is a real giver, exemplified by her continuing work leading children’s and student workshops at local churches. She truly is an inspiration, her passion to help others and desire to ease suffering across the world is a lesson all business students can learn from.”

Bob Thomson
Professor of Practice, Organisation & Human Resource Management

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2018 MBAs To Watch: Mayank Kapoor, Warwick Business School - Poets&Quants

Mayank Kapoor

Warwick Business School

“An ethical professional, aspiring DJ, cricket sport enthusiast and an optimist who loves challenges.”    

Age: 29

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Fun fact about yourself: I challenged myself to ride the world’s second and fourth highest thrill rides (Big Shot and X-Scream in Las Vegas, US) to overcome Acrophobia (fear of heights). I screamed for help every time!!

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), University of Delhi – 1st Division

Master of Commerce, University of Delhi – 1st Division

Chartered Accountant, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Audit Senior (Investment Management Industry), Deloitte

Where did you intern during the summer of 2017? N/A, MBA session started in September 2017 and I was working in Deloitte during the summer.

Where will you be working after graduation? To be decided.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Team Leader at Warwick Enactus Consulting society (Warwickshire City Council project).

Mentor to undergraduates and postgraduate students in Warwick Business School and University of Warwick

Vice-captain of the Warwick Business School cricket team

Scholarship: Warwick Business School merit based scholarship

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I led a team of five Warwick University students on Warwickshire City Council’s strategic project. It was a five month long project and we had to research and suggest alternatives for the council’s electric vehicle infrastructure development. This opportunity came at a perfect time, as I was able to practically implement my LeadershipPlus module learnings. I was able to reflect on my behaviors and team building strategies. The best part about the project: It was a success and we delivered it on time.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I was promoted within eight months of joining Deloitte and was one of the very few selected employees to be awarded twice in a year as an Audit Senior for my audit work on various multi-million dollar investment management firms as well as acquiring more client hours. I formed an audit procedure, which increased the productivity by 15%. But I am most proud of creating a personal impact during my volunteering work.

I was leading a non-profit society D Next Gen through which I used to teach the government school kids in and around Delhi, India  (Between the age of 11-15 years) about hygiene and sanitation as well guide them about their career options. Most of the children were living below the poverty line and attended the school for less than 60 days in a year as they worked part-time in factories and tea stalls to earn money for their families. Many girls were not allowed to attend school as they were told that their fate is in the hands of their future husband!! I was in tears when a 14-year-old Karmesh told a horrific story that he was beaten at his home because he went to school and was not earning any income.

The government offers scholarships and grants to underprivileged kids. At the grassroots level, it is important that the families think outside their conservative mindset and allow these kids to lead a financially secure life.

My team and I had long intense sessions explaining our professional journey and created a chart explaining various options for these kids. We gave them our phone number so that they can call or visit our office in case they needed any guidance.

Karmesh is currently studying science (fully funded by state government) and aspires to become a software engineer. I cannot decide anyone’s fate, but the least I can do is to share my knowledge and help these underprivileged kids.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite is Professor John Colley. He taught me Strategic thinking and Managing in a New World. Before entering academia John was Group Managing Director at a FTSE 100 business and Executive Managing Director at a French CAC 40 business. What makes John unique is his selection of case studies ranging from topics such as international expansion to private equity. He engages every student with his observations and provides a 360 degree overview of each aspect of the case. He has broadened my horizon on topics such as M&A by sharing his professional experience and discussing some excellent real life examples.

What was your favorite MBA Course? It was the LeadershipPlus module. It was the most practical module I ever attended. The module helped me understand my personality and it challenged me at every point to reflect on my identity. After the course, I am now able to understand my personality traits, know what differentiates me from my peers, and my best suited leadership style.

Why did you choose this business school?

• Low student-to-teacher ratio: This has helped me to network with each classmate. All the professors are helpful and the careers and corporate relations team focus in-depth on every MBA student.
• Diversity: My MBA intake is made up of international students from 32 different countries around the world providing an international network, second to none. Over and above the geographic locations, classmates come from a variety of backgrounds with unique and diverse perspectives, fostering critical thinking and mutual growth.
• Location: London is one of the most powerful financial centers in the world and WBS’ presence in The Shard opens networking opportunities with the finest in the business.
• Alumni impact: I am a firm believer that the alumni network plays an important role in showcasing a business school’s hard work. All the alumni I met had a unique, inspiring story and were helpful in responding to all my queries.

What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s MBA program? Take time to reflect on why you really need an MBA and how WBS can help you through the journey. It is an intense 12-month programme, so challenge yourself every day to learn something new.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about the MBA is that it is very intense. As per my experience, I will always remember the importance of 11:59 a.m. and coffee has helped me to submit the projects on time!!

What was your biggest regret in business school? Not being involved in the Warwick Golf society.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? That’s a tough one because I am learning from many peers. If I have to select one, it will be Ana Paschoini from Brazil. Prior to the MBA, Ana worked in the Brazil Development Bank as a lawyer, coordinator, and manager. She is a mother who is a Warwick Finance committee member, writes exceptional articles, and is always active in the class. I am amazed by her energy to pursue this course. She is a peer-mentor to many and we have bonded well. I have learnt from her experience and try to leverage that in my course.

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? I idolize my parents and always request their help for professional guidance. They guided me through the reverse process of understanding what I expect professionally and how can I achieve my goals!!

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…asking critical questions to my clients for audit purposes to ensure I issue financial statements trusted by the stakeholders.”

If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the MBA experience?I personally feel it is very difficult to manage experienced students with diverse cultures and our dean is doing a great job. If I can be greedy, I will increase the number of electives that a student can enroll on.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

Skydiving

Glassblowing in Murano

In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you? An energetic individual who cares about his family, friends and has a good sense of humor.

What is your favorite movie about business? The Big Short. I have watched it more than 10 times. The biggest lesson learnt from that movie is to work ethically in any profession and to understand the wider impact of our actions on the society.

What would your theme song be? “Up Around the Bend” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Favorite vacation spot: San Francisco

Hobbies? Playing cricket, swimming and listening to music

What made Mayank such an invaluable addition to the class of 2018?

“Mayank is well-liked by the whole cohort and is one of the drivers for extra-curricular activity. Before the MBA had even started he had organized a dinner for everybody so they could get to know each other – that was a real help in bringing the cohort together.

He is great fun, a real socializer and loves bringing people together. He is putting together a series of workshops for the MBA students on financial modelling, using his contacts from the financial services industry. I think this will be of great benefit and shows Mayank’s desire to help his fellow students get as much as possible from their time together.”

Karen Barker
Director of Marketing and Recruitment

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2018 Best Online MBAs: Thanos Patsos, Warwick Business School - Poets&Quants

Thanos Patsos

Warwick Business School (WBS)

“Keen to learn and develop, driven, but equally stubborn with lots of improvement potential.”

Age: 37

Hometown: Chios, Greece

Fun fact about yourself: Once a teenage heavy metal music fan, I have slowly but steadily turned to a progressive rock enthusiast with my own online radio show. I would like to believe this is a form of development and not purely the effect of growing older.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering

Where are you currently working? I work at ENGIE as a Technical Energy Manager; the transition to my current role and the energy industry was accomplished during my MBA degree.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I have always placed importance in supporting younger members of my team. I feel particularly content with having been able to help with the professional development of fellow colleagues, both in my current and previous role, by using methods and techniques acquired through the MBA programme. Elements of leadership, coaching, and organizational behavior played a big part not only in understanding myself and my work environments but also in seeing others overcome problems and thrive – this feeling of satisfaction is difficult to beat.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? Reputation, organization, comprehensive curriculum, and rounded knowledge. When I started looking for MBA options, these were the things where WBS “ticked the box”.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? One can work at their own pace and organize their time to achieve the goals of the programme. It was quite important that I did not lose the momentum at work, so being able to work around my day-to-day job at my own time was essential, even if this meant that free time is no longer free.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? Strangely enough, it works! There is a certain amount (and different type) of interaction with tutors and colleagues. At the end of the day, the amount of information and support from others seeps through and generates a non-conventional but creative learning experience.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? It is completely different. I did not feel like a “student” in the strict sense, but rather an equal participant in a conversation. There are elements of the in-the-classroom experience that cannot be substituted (and you feel this when you go on the residential courses and Warwick Weeks), but it is unlikely that you will feel bored in the online environment.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Try and stay in touch daily, even if it is to check announcements on the portals or downloading material to read the next day. I found continuity to be key to successfully completing the programme. Be prepared to work hard and organize your time as best as you can.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? Online dynamics are an interesting feature to watch; the language and interaction through technology take a different shape and in today’s virtual workplace. Having been through this experience, it made me more aware of online team dynamics and expectations.

If you had to do it all over again, would you? Why? Without a second thought, YES. Beyond the academic knowledge, I felt that the programme broadened my horizons, gave me the chance to meet fascinating people, and made me a better person.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? It keeps changing every now and then, especially after having done the MBA and appreciated the opportunities that are revealed before you. I think I will end up doing something completely different to my current career path.

 

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2018 Best MBAs: Leen Issa, Warwick Business School - Poets&Quants

Leen Issa

Warwick Business School

“Positive, energetic and hard-working. I always find myself in a place where learning has no limits.”

Age: 25

Hometown: Amman, Jordan

Fun fact about yourself: I believe in the power of the “present moment”. Each moment is a present that I try not to waste. “Making things better by giving back” is my motto in life. I have always believed that change starts with me; I have been volunteering in community services since I was 12 years-old. I was teaching English and Math to Iraqi refugees – aged 10-12 years old – in Jordan when I was myself a 15-year old student. I also represented Jordan in 3 international conferences promoting fraternity, human rights and brotherhood values: “Genfest” (2012-Budapest), “Labcitoyen” (2013-Paris) and “Focolare Congress” (2015-Italy).

Undergraduate School and Degree: The University of Jordan – BA in Business Management

Where did you work before enrolling in business school?

• Capital Bank of Jordan – Business Manager

“Capital Bank provides trade finance services in Jordan, Iraq & Dubai to corporates & individuals.”

• Caritas Jordan – Projects Coordinator

“Caritas Jordan is a non-governmental organization that implements emergency projects to positively change communities.”

Where did you intern during the summer of 2017? I didn’t do an internship in summer 2017; I was still working at Capital Bank in Jordan as my MBA started in September 2017. I will not be doing an internship this summer as I have my dissertation project work.

Where will you be working after graduation? It is not finalized yet but I’m currently in contact with one of the big 4 Management Consultancy Companies. Also, I will be working in YH Design Studios – a Graphic Design and Website Development Company in Jordan and Israel – as I am the co-founder.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• MBA Representative at Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC)
• Co-Director of MBA Case Challenge 2018

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? This year has been an amazing one filled with many achievements on both the academic and extracurricular aspects. I am proud to be representing my syndicate group in the Student-Staff Liaison Committee. I have been working to address any issue affecting our learning experience and propose ideas to improve the experience of future MBA students. I am also very happy to be the Co-Director of WBS case challenge 2018. It is a chance for me to give back some of the life that is given to me at Warwick Business School. These extracurricular achievements have been amazing in adding great value to my experience, yet the one I am most proud of is the academic result that I achieved with my syndicate group during the first term. We got a distinction of (+70%) in our group projects (Marketing and Operations Management); the highest marks among the other 11 remaining groups. We would not have achieved this without being a real team working all together, helping and motivating each other. Although we faced many challenges (such as being from 5 different countries – India, China, Canada, Afghanistan and Jordan) and have different personalities, preferred ways of working and priorities, we were able to overcome all these challenges and perform as a high-performance team. The learning that I gained from this experience was invaluable.

What achievements are you most proud of in your professional career? It is my work with the Syrian refugees in 2013 at Caritas Jordan. As a project officer, I coordinated the work of 12 field officers working in 7 cities in Jordan. I was monitoring the implementation of 2 education projects worth US$2M and targeting Syrian refugee kids. The project aimed to increase the possibility for Syrian refugees to access improved, quality and age-appropriate educational services. After escaping the war, students had typically quit schools for more than three years and it was hard for them to catch up with their peers – some of them didn’t even know how to read and write. The aim was to develop three educational programs serving as a bridge to let them catch-up with peers of the same age. The program also provided psychological assistance to help them overcome what the war left in their minds. I was responsible to make sure that the program was implemented according to the plan and students were getting efficient services that would let them join public schools with their peers. We were providing them with stationery, uniform, meals and activities. I was not only following up on these details, but I was also leading focus group discussions with the parents to make sure that the program was addressing each challenge that was preventing them from being enrolled in schools. Moreover, I was coordinating with different stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education and National and International NGOs by attending Education Sector Working Group (ESWG) meetings. As a result, 80% of the refugee students were successfully enrolled in formal schools and Caritas Jordan won the US government bid for further US $4M funds.

The most touching moment I had during one of my field visits was when one of the students’ mothers came crying and showing me the notebook of her son who passed successfully an English test and who was able to read and write after quitting school for two years between the age of 6-8. That was one of the happiest moments that made me feel that all the hard work and effort I put in was worth it!

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor is Bob Thomson – the module leader of LeadershipPlus. During the first week of the first term, we were given black journal notebooks from the school and we were advised to use these notebooks as a personal reflection space. It was not compulsory, but it was suggested as a way to learn and change our behaviors. I didn’t understand how that could happen and I didn’t feel that this was a suitable method for me. So, I informed Bob that I would not be using it. He told me: “How would you know if you don’t try?” That question made me think really deep about what I wanted from this year. What I wanted to achieve and how I wanted to achieve my goals. From that day, I decided that the MBA year would be a laboratory space to break the rules. I decided not to make any prior judgements, to forget the methods and tools I previously used and try new experiences. My goal from the MBA was to stretch myself, thoughts and vision. How could I do that without going out of my comfort zone and challenging myself? Bob helped me to set the ground rules for my MBA experience to widen my vision and let me do things that I have never tried.

Why did you choose this business school? I was given offers in other schools like Oxford Said Business School and it was a difficult decision to make. Warwick Business School is a well-known place for the quality of teaching, research facilities, diversity and network. They also awarded me an MBA scholarship which gave me another encouragement. But the main reason that made me choose Warwick Business School was the interview that I made during the application process. It gave me positive vibes and enthusiasm. I felt that I will not only make a great fit in the school but it will also make a great fit for me. At the end, it is a formula of two sides and both sides should make sure that they are making the right decision.

What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s MBA program? First, remember that the MBA is an investment of time and money. Before you apply, think about the school and why it makes a great fit for you. Think about your achievements, what you have done untill now and what you aim to reach in the future. Then ask yourself what are the gaps that you need to fill, how you can fill them and how can the school help you fill these gaps.

Be confident about yourself and think about the small details that set you apart from others. Each detail matters. Sometimes the small experiences are the ones that will make you different, not the big ones.

Finally, be yourself always and show the school your motivation.

What is the biggest myth about your school? It is the myth that says that you should have a career plan, stay focused, and know what you want. It is useful to have a career plan and know what you want, but I don’t think you can stay focused all the time. There are hundreds of events going on and many workshops and seminars for all the sectors. It is ok if you lose your focus and open up to all the opportunities around you. This can give a wider vision for all the options you have. As a result, your career plan can be changed or it can stay the same. In either way, you won’t lose anything but you would get more knowledge, experience and fun!

What was your biggest regret in business school? That I didn’t attend all the events that occurred in the school. There are so many things happening around me such as lectures, seminars, workshops, trips, parties, etc. The most important thing is how to manage our time to be able to attend them.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire all the mothers in my class who are doing a great job at home and at school. They are sacrificing a lot to be in the school and I appreciate that so much.

 Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My influence was from a business training workshop that I took after high school. At that time, I was studying architecture and I was feeling that I didn’t have the passion for it. I decided that I wanted to be open to all the alternatives around me. I started talking to my professors and colleagues. I signed up for many sessions and workshops. One of them was related to business followed by an internship in a place we choose. I chose to do an internship in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from that workshop, I understood that I am really interested in business because it will give me the tools, knowledge, and power in the future to make a change.

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…an architect.

If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the MBA experience? I would extend the course for another year. I am definitely in love with this experience, so much that I don’t want it to reach its end!

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

• Learn a sixth language. I speak now 5 languages: Arabic, English, French, Italian and Spanish. But I would like to learn a sixth one
• Get the most out of the International experience I am living now before going back to my hometown

In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you? An energetic, genuine and open-minded leader with a strong presence.

What is your favorite movie about business? A Small Act; it talks about a small act of love that changed the life of a man and gave him the education he needs. After he became a well educated lawyer, he wanted to create his own organization to help others be educated. It is great as it shows the challenges he faced.

What would your theme song be?

Lipdub Fontem – Up In The Sky – 77 Bombay Street

Favorite vacation spot: The Blue Lagoon – Iceland

Hobbies? Travelling, photography and social activities with friends.

What made Leen such an invaluable addition to the class of 2018?

I think Leen will be a very important person in the Middle East in years to come. She is Palestinian, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Leen on TV in 20 years helping to bring peace to the region. She has a lovely personality. She is balanced and a great team player. It is amazing to learn how young she is, given that she already has three or four years’ solid experience in organizations. She is committed to doing good and making a difference in the world, helping the Palestinian people and others – I was hugely impressed by the way in which she talks about what she did to help refugees and her passion for helping her people. She stands out as an incredible MBA, and her maturity given her age is very impressive. I have seen people as mature as her on the course, but they have been at least ten years older.

Leen is incredibly popular among her fellow MBA students and belies her tender age. At just 24, her confidence and enthusiasm is an inspiration to her classmates. She is very competitive and certainly leads from the front, she always volunteers to do the presentations on behalf of her syndicate groups. She has taken up the responsibility of organizing the annual WBS GE Healthcare Case Challenge and is doing a fantastic job, attracting teams from universities all over the world to take part.

Leen is wonderfully generous with her time and truly believes in making a positive impact on the world. Outside of her MBA, she has worked incredibly hard to organize fund-raising events for the Youth for a United World. Coming from the Middle East, she is passionate about bringing different cultures and people together to live in harmony. She has worked hard with Youth for a United World to spread the message of fraternity in her home country of Jordan and elsewhere. She is passionate about helping those affected by poverty and war and has coordinated the screening of humanitarian movies across four universities to promote this message, which was followed by post-film discussions with the actors.”

Bob Thomson
Professor of Practice
Organisation & Human Resource Management

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