In today’s fast-paced and competitive economy, professionals must constantly adapt to stay ahead. Geopolitical shifts and rapid advancements in AI are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, demanding executives to sharpen their problem-solving skills and rethink their strategies. At the same time, the increasing need for talent development and training is putting even more pressure on senior leaders.

Our Executive MBA invests in the long term success of these executives, empowering them to meet these challenges head-on and offering a unique opportunity to build and strengthen their strategic and leadership capabilities at an internationally ranked Business School.

The 2025 cohort features 24 students, representing 23 different companies with an average age of 42 and bringing a breadth of insight and experience from a variety of sectors.

“Our new 2025 Executive MBA cohort is filled with impressive and experienced senior leaders,” shares Associate Professor Massimo Garbuio, Executive MBA Program Director. “Each student brings a unique wealth of knowledge, experience, and connections to the program. Our executive students come from a variety of sectors, including students from leading companies such as Google, Macquarie Bank and NAB, and from all across Australia and overseas. Each of these professionals are transforming classroom discussions, collaborating to solve current and complex business problems, and excelling as executive leaders."

In February, students completed the intensive Leadership Module in Sydney, developing core expertise in various leadership styles and dynamics. Students will then head to France in June to attend sessions at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, as the newest partner university to the program who are delivering a module on Creating Value Through Strategic Insights. There, they will also work on a project with L’Occitane en Provence, putting to work their skills in strategy formulation in the context of today’s fast-evolving retail consumer 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.

Past company visits have included Amazon, Google and NASA - world-renowned institutions reshaping the future and the ways we think about growth, innovation, and technological advancement. 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.  

About the Executive MBA

The University of Sydney Executive MBA provides students with an 18-month experience, organised in 2-week immersive modules held across 5 different countries. With only 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 our Executive MBA program), and week-long Study Tours.

Last year, Executive MBA and MBA alumni visited the Sydney Vietnam Institute in Ho Chi Minh City and had the opportunity to engage with the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and partake in cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary exchange.

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

Meet the 2025 Executive MBA cohort

Here are a few of our future graduates:

• Nikki  Anstis
• Katelyn Barakat 
• Cate Begbie
• Rowan Bunning
• Hannah Buultjens 
• Nitesh Chovhan
• Ryan Doherty
• Ruby Finlen
• Vaibhav Gaikwad
• Ankit Gautam
• Kate Gifford
• Adrian Janssen
• Cynthia Kirshan
• Ru Kwedza
• Julia Newton
• Jenny Nguyen
• Alisha Parker-Elrez
• James Parnwell
• Natalie Potter
• Trent Revic
• Heath Smith
• Liana Westcott
• Ben Wilson
• Yang Xu