Six graduates from the Executive MBA Class of 2025 reflect on their experience in TUM’s Executive MBA programs and the impact it has had on their professional and personal journeys.
How can an Executive MBA at TUM make a difference? For many participants, this question marks the start of a journey that often leads to unexpected opportunities.
Olga & Pinkle: Navigating Change in a Global Context
For Olga and Pinkle, the Executive MBA at TUM offered a framework for navigating change, whether personal, professional, or driven by global developments.
After relocating to Germany, Olga leveraged the program to better understand the local job market, grow her network, and establish her professional presence.
“When making a career change or migrating, it's important to show you are familiar with the culture and have international experience. The Executive MBA program at TUM gave me that. When applying for jobs, saying I was enrolled at TUM made a real difference.”
– Olga Lucia Vanegas Motta
Pinkle views the Executive MBA as highly relevant to today’s business landscape. The courses incorporated real-world cases and blended academic insights with industry perspectives.
“Given the fast-changing world with technology and geopolitics, handling turbulent situations is very important.” – Pinkle Panda
Rebecca: Growing Across Borders and Life Stages
Before starting the Executive MBA at TUM, Rebecca had already spent several years running her own business, Colibri Content, which supported companies with market entry and expansion.
Originally from the United States and active in international business, she moved to Germany to broaden her perspective, build connections in Europe, and deepen her understanding of different markets.
While at TUM, she continued to grow her business alongside her studies. She describes this phase as demanding, but manageable thanks to the program’s flexibility, which helped her balance her studies with entrepreneurship and other professional commitments.
“For me, the greatest part was the people in the MBA—students from many backgrounds and industries. I have my own business, and it was enriching to learn from classmates in other fields and professions. The quality of my peers really stood out.”– Rebecca Rist
Gerardo: Building Connections That Last
For Gerardo, the Executive MBA was shaped just as much by the people as by the academic content.
With a background in data and IT, he describes the program as an environment where knowledge was exchanged continuously. In the interview, he adds that working with peers from areas such as supply chain, manufacturing, and healthcare introduced new perspectives to familiar topics.
“The knowledge sharing and support among students went beyond my expectations.” – Gerardo Ayala Solano
As he explains in the interview, this dynamic was also influenced by the way the courses were taught. Professors responded to classroom developments, linked theory to practical challenges, and encouraged open discussion. Gerardo also emphasizes that many relationships formed during the program have continued beyond graduation.
According to Gerardo, encounters with companies, guest speakers, and fellow participants have grown into lasting professional relationships.
“Although the modules have ended, the connections and learning continue beyond the classroom.” – Gerardo Ayala Solano
Nimesh: Turning Ideas into Impact
During his time at TUM, Nimesh developed and launched Tamu-Tamu*, a food brand that sources nuts from smallholder farmers in Africa and processes them in Europe. His journey at TUM is still continuing: Nimesh continues to collaborate with colleagues at the TUM Venture Lab in Food and Agro/Biotech, describing the environment as open and supportive as he further develops his idea.
“The TUM ecosystem for startups is also fantastic; it’s very comparable to Silicon Valley.” – Nimesh Karia
He highlights the study trip to Berkeley as one of the program’s key moments. Being there gave him a direct impression of how the Silicon Valley ecosystem works and how it compares with the entrepreneurial environment being developed at TUM. Nimesh also points to the importance of the network: the Venture Lab helped him refine his idea and explore potential partnerships.
“Joining a program like this opens many doors and opportunities. I can definitely recommend it.” – Nimesh Karia
An initial idea gradually evolved into a viable business.
* Tamu-Tamu products are also available at Café Vista in Munich, which is operated by Nimesh Karia himself.
Sam: Expanding Perspectives Through Diversity
Different industries often approach the same challenge in very different ways. In the interview, Sam explains that experiencing these differences firsthand was a defining aspect of his Executive MBA experience.
Sam was part of a cohort made up of professionals from fields such as healthcare, chemistry, and insurance. For him, this mix shaped the way topics were discussed in class. He notes that many conversations helped him understand how others approach similar challenges from different angles.
“Every topic has multiple sides to consider, not just your own angle.” – Sam Khourshd
The exchange was not limited to peers. Interaction with faculty also played an important role. As he explains in the interview, sessions evolved through discussion, with participants questioning concepts, challenging assumptions, and contributing their own experiences.
“There were many points where we challenged the professors, and they were very patient and open to discussion about our challenges.” – Sam Khourshd
This dynamic created a learning environment shaped by curiosity and critical thinking.
Collectively, these graduates’ experiences illustrate the diverse paths participants pursue in the Executive MBA programs at TUM.
Some use the program to advance their careers, others to build a business, expand their international network, or gain new perspectives.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Executive MBA programs at TUM can find further information and upcoming application details here.
