The rules of business aren't changing. They've already changed. Geopolitical instability, AI disruption, and shrinking strategic windows have made transformation a permanent condition, not a phase to survive. The leaders who thrive aren't the ones who adapted once — they're the ones who built the capacity to keep adapting.

The Executive MBA at the University of Sydney is designed for exactly that: executives who refuse to let the pace of change outrun their ability to lead through it.

The University of Sydney Business School has recently welcomed the 2026 Executive MBA cohort - an accomplished group of senior leaders bringing diverse experience, global perspectives and a strong commitment to responsible leadership.

The cohort comprises 21 senior professionals from across the public, private and not‑for‑profit sectors. Participants bring experience from industries including finance, healthcare, education, government, property, technology, marketing, renewable energy, sport and the creative industries. With an average age of 43, the cohort reflects a depth of professional experience alongside a shared ambition to lead with purpose.

In February, students completed the intensive Leadership Module in Sydney, developing core expertise in various leadership styles and dynamics. True to the title of the module, Reframing Leadership, the students deepened their appreciation for the complexity of leadership, developed broader and more comprehensive views of their leadership possibilities, and expressed a renewed sense of purpose and confidence about their ability to deliver on much bigger and bolder initiatives.  

Students will then head to France in June to attend sessions at INSEAD in Fontainebleau. There, they will also work on a project with a Champagne house that is going through leadership transition, putting to work their skills in strategy formulation in the context of today’s fast-evolving landscape.

The remaining modules will be held in India, the USA and Japan, exploring the impacts of digital disruption and the competencies needed to navigate new markets and changing business models. Each partner university and their respective flagship faculties bring their own distinct global expertise through a mix of established scholars and industry speakers, enriching the program with a comprehensive and diverse perspective on executive leadership and leading organisations in the age of disruption.

The Executive MBA program reflects the University of Sydney Business School’s overarching strategy and commitment to responsible and global leadership, innovation and sustainability.

The 2026 cohort is another impressive group we've welcomed into the program," says Massimo Garbuio, Academic Director. "What strikes me is the range - not just of industries and organisations, but of ambition. Some are here to change direction entirely. Others are accelerating toward the C-suite. And some are already leading successful organisations and asking what leadership looks like in an era of permanent disruption. Every one of them brings something the room wouldn't have without them. That's what makes the learning real."

Today’s executives are operating in an environment shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological advancement and increasing expectations of accountability and impact. In this context, strategic judgement and adaptive leadership are essential. The Executive MBA is designed to support experienced professionals as they navigate complexity, broaden their perspective and strengthen their capacity to lead in a dynamic global context.

The program provides students with an 18-month experience, organised in immersive modules held across 5 different countries. With less than 10 weeks away from work, students get hands-on experience in what it means to identify and analyse complex challenges and devise innovative solutions. The program offers a wealth of opportunities outside the program as well, including our MBA Dimensions series, annual alumni dinners and lifelong learning opportunities such as Professional Development Fridays led by John Keith (alumni from Cohort 1 of the Executive MBA program), and week-long Study Tours.

Each of these professionals are transforming classroom discussions, collaborating to solve current and complex business problems, and excelling as executive leaders.

Learn more about the University of Sydney’s Executive MBA program, and apply today. 

• Atinesh Kumar (Bobby)
• Carol Smit
• Elio Pakri
• Hong (Grace) Wu
• Jennifer Lusia Widjojo
• Joobin Hooshmand
• Jose Luis Herranz Lopez
• Ling Zhou
• Luke McIlroy-Ranga
• Margaret Ross
• Marisa Cardoso
• Naomi  Stuart
• Nathan Lowe
• Renee (Lexie) Walker
• Sandya (Sandy) Fitter
• Shubhangi Sonvane
• Swapna Shreevalli Korla
• Urvesh Vibhakar
• Victoria Sloan
• Wade Kelly
• Yachna Mehta