Alumni of MBA for Design Leaders on their success stories

Have you always been curious about our Design Leaders programme but unsure if it’s the right fit for you?

Last week, we hosted our first-ever Virtual Open Day, where we shared a behind the scenes look at how the programme was created, spoke to our alumni about their experience and answered your burning questions about the programme.

Watch the replay to discover:

• How the curriculum is structured
• The difference between a traditional MBA and our Design Leaders programme 
• What a day on the programme looks like
• The value our programme will add to your business
• How our alumni are transforming the world

On top of that, we shared some practical insights from our Design Leaders faculty, including:

• How to approach your Pricing Strategy
• Frameworks for communicating design value to C-suite stakeholders
• Why Neurodiversity is a secret superpower
  

Meanwhile, we wanted to share some of our favourite stories from Design Leaders alumni on what they have achieved since completing the programme:

Lizi on gaining the business skills to lead at a global level:

'For me, it was about bringing business and creative worlds together. Shared language with my CEO and CFO really allows me to input to the business more. I now sit in the global leadership team and have a different voice in the room.'

Lizi Hamer,
Executive Creative Director at No2ndPlace, Global Executive Creative Director at Octagon

Melissa on leveraging leadership skills to earn a promotion:

'I wasn't sure how I would fit in as an architect. But it was very humbling to learn that at a certain leadership level, the commonality of the problems that we face are very similar. When I sought out the programme, I had been trusted into a new leadership role, and the programme allowed me to talk more effectively with senior leadership. As a result, it propelled me into a promotion where I'm now a Practice Manager.'

Melissa Wakefield,
Practice Manager and Senior Design Architect at EXP

Michel on starting his own business with a global network:

'The global perspectives and ability to build that global network was super helpful. After leaving Netflix, I joined the programme, which really helped me getting to where I am today. I decided to start studio stipa, which is my business.'

Michel DeAscentiis,
Creative Director
at studio stipa, former Creative Director at Netflix and Paramount

Sarah on driving business growth with design in the boardroom:

'Being able to learn in two-week sprints meant that I could take what I'd learned and apply it immediately into the business. It's adding the voice of the customer, putting design in the boardroom, in those big meetings. Ultimately, our business is growing.'

Sarah Salter,
Global Head of Innovation and Platforms at WPP/Wavemaker

Sandra on transforming from Senior Designer to Director:

'Being surrounded by all the inspiring creative leaders really changed me. I was able to confront a lot of self-doubt and gain confidence in my skills. I embraced my full potential and moved to be the Director of Mobile at CNN.'

Sandra Merino,
Director of Mobile Design at CNN

Ready to start your own transformational journey?

Learn about our Design Leaders programme.