Programme Podcast

In this episode, I speak with Pascal Chabaneix and Rodrigo Quintanilla Gonzalez (FTMBA ’26) about their Full-time MBA journey, the learning experiences that shaped them, and the unexpected moments that pushed them further than they imagined. Before starting the programme, Pascal moved to the Netherlands with his wife to settle into a new environment. “Arriving in December 2024 helped us get to kno...

In todays podcast I chat with Ritika and Ashley as they are getting closer to graduation. During their Full-time MBA experience, they have learned what leadership looks like for them on a personal level. We also discuss their motivation to do an MBA and what they were looking for when embarking on this journey. Ritika shares: “I realised I am in my comfort zone, and I need to get out of my comfort...

For Dircki Taljaard (EMBA '26), one of the most challenging - and rewarding - parts of the Executive MBA has been the Life Journey course. It’s given him space to reflect, grow, and approach his work with a new perspective. "And of course, I’m also building the hard skills - like accounting and business - which are priceless. You learn the language by doing the course.” Listen to the full intervie...

In today’s podcast episode I talk to Charles Mangwiro, one of our Full-time MBA students (Class of 2026). We chat about his background in investment management, insurance, and Fintech after which we dive into his FTMBA journey. During the MBA Charles learned to be more intentional about his work every day. The Personal Leadership Development component of the Full-time MBA programme raised his awar...

In this episode I sit down with Hannah Foster, Recruitment and Admissions Manager at RSM. She shares what the admissions process looks like for the Full-time MBA and we debunk misunderstandings one may have about this process. ‘It is an important decision, so you do want to put your best foot forward, but don’t overthink the process. It’s not too intensive,’ says Hannah. And as a cherry on top we...

In this episode, Ana Muraro was looking forward to and preparing for her Executive MBA Class of ’25 graduation. Now, she’s officially an alumna and has joined a powerful global network of over 50,000 alumni. In this episode, Ana reflects on: • Her very first week of the EMBA journey • The impact of the Personal Leadership Development component • How SDGs resonated with her - and came to life durin...

In this episode Shilpika Basu, one of our Executive MBA students who joined the programme earlier this year, reflects on her EMBA journey so far: “Finance was always such a dry subject for me - but during the MBA, I had the most fun and camaraderie in accounting classes with Dennis Jullens. The lively discussions and banter made learning so much more engaging, and he was such an amazing person to...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ginelle van Tartwijk, Philanthropy Advisor at ABN AMRO MeesPierson and proud alumna of RSM’s Full-time MBA Class of 2024. Originally from the US, Ginelle moved to the Netherlands with an efficiency mindset – determined to fully dedicate herself to the MBA journey. During our conversation, she reflected on the role of the UN Sustainable Developme...

During the Global Executive MBA at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), participants can choose a unique track: Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). It’s designed for future CEOs who want to lead an existing company, rather than start one from scratch. In this episode, we speak with Leonardo Palú, a recent graduate from the Global Executive MBA Class of 2025. Leonardo t...

In this episode we sat down with Márcia Di Domenico - a seasoned finance professional and Executive MBA student - who brings over a decade of global experience in audit, controlling, and reporting. From PwC to leading finance at a startup in Brazil, and now Senior Group Financial Controller in Rotterdam, Márcia shares how her EMBA is transforming her view on leadership and reshaping her future. 💬...

“There’s nothing better than talking to alumni or current students. Sometimes there are limits to what you can find online – but reaching out can really open your eyes to what’s possible with an MBA.” – Beatriz Valenzuela, FTMBA Class of 2025 Beatriz graduated this March, completing the Full-time MBA alongside her husband. 💬 “Doing the MBA together made the experience even more meaningful – we gr...

When Tugay joined the GEMBA programme at RSM, he expected to sharpen his business skills, and he has. But what he didn’t anticipate was the depth of personal growth the experience would demand. When discussing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Tugay speaks candidly about his personal connection to SDG #1 – No Poverty: “I was born and raised in the Netherlands, and that makes me privileged. B...

With a degree in Chemical Engineering and over 15 years of experience in the Oil, Gas & Chemical industry across Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, Zaher Charaf joined the Executive MBA programme in January 2025. In this episode, we dive into how he found his way into this field, what led him to pursue an MBA, and how the programme is shaping his perspective on his career path. 🎧 Listen to t...

In this episode I dove into the MBA journey of two of our FTMBA Class of ’26 students, Yen Pham and Pascal Chabaneix. With different stories about their personal and professional backgrounds, thoughts and insights on leadership, turning points in their lives and the whole decision making process to do an MBA, this podcast is full of inspiring stories and nuggets of wisdom you must hear!

‘Transformation is not optional in this programme. Especially because of the Strategic Leadership Development course.’ – Shreyas Kapse (GEMBA ’25) When asked about key take-aways of the Global Experiential Learning modules, Shreyas shared: ‘The GELS’s are truly the experiential part of the learning. It is the most pragmatic kind of learning that you can expect.’ Listen to the full episode to learn...

Nejla joined the Executive MBA Class of ’26. When asked about the SDG’s, she shares: ‘#4 is about Quality education, #7 is about affordable energy and #10 is about reducing inequality. Those three each have the targets and indicators that are incredibly ambitious but I think that’s what we need. Those three really move the needle to be able to unlock exponential progress on the others.’ Listen to...

Catarina Lopes Pereira joined the Executive MBA Class of 2026. With extensive experience in expert roles, Catarina decided to do an Executive MBA to broaden her horizon further. ‘I think that doing an MBA at RSM can help me with taking on more strategic roles with more impact and enhancing my leadership skills,’ she shares. Listen to the full interview to hear about Catarina’s journey, experiences...

When joining the Full-time MBA Class of 2026 here at RSM, Sarah Humphries did have some expectations but also knew her expectations would be a bit different. ‘I knew that with my creative background, I would be looking for something different from the institution that I was joining. And I wanted to join an institution where I would not have to apologise for my design background,’ says Sarah Humphr...

In this episode Ikram Mataich (GEMBA Class of 2026) shares how she is experiencing her Global Executive MBA journey here at RSM, the importance of having people around that support you, and the importance of believing in yourself and your leadership skills. ‘I would say that you have to find the courage to apply. Have that confidence in yourself.’ Listen to the full interview to hear about her GEM...

In this podcast Amina Daniels (FTMBA ’26) shares her story about overcoming obstacles, her journey towards an MBA here at Rotterdam School of Management, and how she is experiencing the Full-time MBA programme so far. ‘It’s not enough to open a business. You need policy to really have a greater impact on communities,’ Amina said. Listen to the full interview, to learn more about the value of an MB...

In this podcast Meghan McKinnon, one of RSM’s Career Development Managers, shares how the career center helps guide and coach our current students during their MBA journey. ‘We focus on four primary areas, so the first one is self-awareness. That’s knowing who you are, that’s knowing where your skill-sets lie, where your strengths are, what you really enjoy doing. And often times as we just go thr...

In this podcast we dive into the collaboration between our MBA Careers team and companies such as FrieslandCampina and AkzoNobel. This particular collaboration started in 2016 with Dirk van de Heijden. At that time he was working with FrieslandCampina after which he transitioned to AkzoNobel. In this podcast we discuss several topics, such as how our MBA students are being prepared for the corpora...

When asked why he decided to do a Full-time MBA here at RSM, Damilola Arogundade (FTMBA class of ’25) shared: ‘RSM seemed like a place that aligned with my values. I knew a couple of RSM alumni, one of them particularly had come to Nigeria to work. And I had met him and we hit it off, like a solid friendship. And I liked the values that he embodied and the company where he worked.’ In this podcast...

In this podcast Andrea Bergamini, who has joined the Global Executive MBA Class of ‘26, shares how he is experiencing his GEMBA journey. Andrea is currently Vice President, Global Infrastructure and Chief Information Security Officer at Orbia. He has lived in several European countries and is currently living in Amsterdam. He shares how he balances work, studying and family life. Andrea is married...

In this podcast Monika Juodpusiene shares what her GEMBA journey is like, as well as her decision making process and her encounters with women in different industries that lack confidence. ‘I separated myself first from the social circle that influences you or brings out a lack of self confidence. It was one of the hardest steps; applying,’ she shares. ‘Is it really for me? Do I have what it takes...