The Power of Connection
We take networking seriously in the Rutgers Executive MBA program.
From the moment you join the Powerhouse, you are connecting with those around you and those who've gone before you. That's the benefit of being part of a program filled with experienced professionals and executives—the REMBA Alumni Networking Upgrade.
This isn't your average networking experience. This is about building a powerful and dynamic community committed to helping one another succeed.
Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing at the C-Level
Prof. Langdana: Areas or sectors that are embedded deeply in technology, such as Artificial Intelligence or Blockchain or Digital transformation, etc., are truly very difficult to teach in an Executive MBA program—even a world-class program such as this one here at Rutgers. The audience is too diverse—-we could have someone who is a 'deep technology' person writing code for SAP, for example, sitting next to a student who is a Doctor and an Oncologist sitting next to someone who is the curator of a museum! The professor must have the consummate skill to 'hit' that very thin strata that characterizes an EMBA audience. The professor aims too high, and it becomes all-math and of interest only to a PhD audience, too low and it is 'too undergraduate'. Our Prof. Nabil Mughal came in and absolutely nailed it! He won himself a roomful of 46 fans with his presentation on AI and "What Executives Really Need to Know about AI at the C-level."
Prof. Mughal: I completely understand the concern about the audience. I do cover all the AI / Gen AI and cyber security functions for the firm, so yes I feel very comfortable talking about these topics. I think the challenge is how to present to a room where you have some experts and some people with little to no experience in these areas. I think the focus has to be less on the mechanics of the technology but rather how to apply these principals to running a successful organization, and how to manage risk. I was very happy to put together this presentation, and my vast experience in this area equipped me well for the session. I so very much look forward to future classes where I will cover both AI as well as Quantum Computing and how and why Rutgers EMBA grads need to understand, manage and unleash this technology effectively.
Nabil is currently Chief Information & Innovation Officer at McCarter & English, LLP, and above all, a graduate of the Rutgers EMBA Program—The Powerhouse. With a career spanning over 20 years, Nabil has held two C-level positions in major law firms, demonstrating a deep understanding of the intersection of technology, business strategy, and client service.
Pricing Strategy in a World of Artificial Intelligence and Inflation
Recently, a Rutgers EMBA Powerhouse Alumni in-person event featured our one and only Professor Ignacio "Nacho" Vijil-Cabrera!
Prof. Nacho, the "Prince of Pricing," truly delivered a dynamic and insightful session, "How will AI affect pricing strategies?" His expertise and engaging presentation, "Nachonomics at Full Power," captivated the audience, providing a unique blend of academic theory and real-world corporate experience, especially relevant in today's high-inflation environment.
The event was a resounding success, filled with vibrant networking opportunities, and the breakfast and lunch provided ample time for alumni to connect and engage. The energy in the room was palpable; the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, at the in-person event, there was "standing room only." We witnessed firsthand the power of Prof. Nacho's "pricing engine room" in action.
Our Prof. Nacho actually flew in from Madrid, Spain, where he resides, to Rutgers NJ to teach a full double-weekend in-person class and to conduct this alumni session!
Here is a link to some of the pictures from the event.
This is just one example of the many alumni "lifelong learning and networking" events that we conduct here at the Rutgers EMBA Powerhouse.
Trump 2.0: the promise, and the reality
Professor Farrokh Langdana delivers a macroeconomic tour de force in this webinar for Rutgers Business School students, alumni, and friends. The 3 Pillars of Trump’s 2.0 Economic Plan: 1. Reaganomics = low taxes, deregulation; 2. Tariffs; 3. Run government like a business. Sounds great, but…will it work? Using history as a guide, Langdana explores in his folksy and whimsical way, the fundamentals of macroeconomic theory from Keynesian to supply-side economics to today and what the future might look like. Langdana is a professor of finance and economics at Rutgers Business School, and director of the globally ranked Rutgers Executive MBA Program. He is the recipient of more than 30 teaching awards, including the highest possible teaching award at Rutgers University -- the Warren I. Susman Award.
EMBA Alumni Event
On July 12, we had another memorable and energizing EMBA Alumni gathering this past Saturday at Readington Brewery. The weather was ideal—not too hot—which made both the patio and indoor seating areas perfect for relaxed, engaging conversations.
The event brought together more than 85 attendees, spanning class years from EMBA 1991 to our incoming class this year. It was wonderful to witness such a strong and diverse representation of the EMBA community. The atmosphere was full of energy, with alumni reconnecting, making new connections, and sharing stories across generations.
The EMBA team would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who joined us and made the event so special. Your enthusiasm, warmth, and commitment to the Rutgers EMBA community are what continue to make these events such a success.
Our July EMBA Alumni Event at Readington Brewery has become a cherished annual summer tradition.
It was not only a great social event but also a powerful networking opportunity. Many attendees expressed how valuable it was to engage with fellow alumni, and we’re confident that these connections will continue to foster both personal and professional opportunities in the future.
Welcome to the Powerhouse! If you missed this great gathering, we plan on doing more such "meet and greet" events in the Fall.
Alumni News
Learn about the accomplishments and success stories of EMBA alumni by staying connected on social media.
The Executive Brief (Alumni Updates)
A channel for alumni to stay connected and engaged and share success stories. Our newsletter includes the latest updates about the program, alumni and students’ promotions and success stories, as well as the program’s latest events, school news and career resources.
Webinar: Prof. Langdana's Macroeconomic Outlook for Spring 2023. Will President Biden have the “Luck of the Irish?”
Highlights
- Innova Solutions, a global digital transformation solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Ashish Saxena EMBA Class of 2015 as President of the organization’s Retail, Energy, Manufacturing, Technology, and Transportation (REMTT) strategic business unit (SBU).
- EMBA alumnus is driving force behind creation of new Road to Success Program
- Ukachi Anonyuo: Rutgers Executive MBA and How Her Career Has Grown
- Mr. David Fahey '99 to Assume Role of Interim Director of Institutional Advancement in 2021-22 School Year
- EY Announces Class of 2009 alumnus Lawrence Hibbert and partner Dr. Randal Pinkett as Winners for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 New Jersey Award
Featured Alumni - Jeffrey Hermann
EMBA alumni are among healthcare workers battling Covid-19
Alumni in the News
School News
I would not have been able to reach the C-suite without the education I received at RBS in the EMBA Program.
- Dr. Patrick Caubel, RBS EMBA ’04 Chief Safety Officer, Pfizer
At a recent national nursing conference called ACDIS (Association for Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists), 3,000 nurses, doctors and other allied health professionals, I met an advanced practice nurse from the University of Chicago. When we had the chance to network, I said I was so glad to meet someone from a prestigious academic medical center, after all, I received my EMBA from Rutgers in New Jersey…before I could finish my sentence, she exclaimed, Rutgers! You are from Rutgers? That’s really great! I will be so glad to learn from YOU this week — YOU are the top of the TOP! She went on about our Rutgers EMBA programming and how the University of Chicago has been looking to innovate the way Rutgers has done.
Melanie Halpern is a clinical documentation improvement specialist with focus on patient safety and high reliability organizations at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, RWJ Barnabas Health.
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Melanie Halpern, EMBA Class of ‘99
Melanie Halpern is a clinical documentation improvement specialist with focus on patient safety and high reliability organizations at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, RWJ Barnabas Health.
Ukachi Anonyuo: Rutgers Executive MBA and How Her Career Has Grown
Networking Events
Opportunities to network within the EMBA program and Rutgers Business School abound. Here's a sampling of our EMBA-exclusive opportunities.
Recently Emba alumni and current students alike enjoyed their first post-covid in-person networking event at 1 Washington, Newark. Prof. Ignacio “Nacho” Vijil-Cabrera joined us in Newark all the way from Madrid, Spain, to deliver a powerful, two-part interactive and applicable lecture on "Designing an Effective Career Management Strategy by Leveraging your REMBA Program," and then after lunch: "How to Deploy Pricing Strategy in a World of Inflation---and Live to Talk about it."
Days after the event, at lunch, a 2nd year EMBA student told Prof. Langdana: " I am just about to make a huge transition from a Financial Leadership position at a high-level fragrance/cosmetic company in Manhattan, to a similar position in Healthcare with the potential for a very significant increase in salary. I know now exactly which buttons to press---what exactly to say---in the negotiations to make this happen to the maximum extent possible. Thanks to Nacho and his session on Career Strategy, courtesy, Rutgers Emba!
EMBA Annual Family Days
Rutgers EMBA -- The Powerhouse -- conducted one of its famous in-person REMBA Family Days. Prof. Langdana delivered a 3.5-hour session specially for the attendees on Macro Analysis, in which he managed to cover soft-landings, inflation and also the recent so-called banking crisis. The event was a major success with over 35 in attendance—spouses, partners, and even kids and parents!
Langdana: "We even managed to analyze two WSJ articles---one just from 2 weeks ago---and everyone was heavily engaged! All were on FIRE! The kids and the parents also were nailing it. C-bar was off the charts!"
Many of the family members then stayed through lunch and joined their EMBAs in class in the afternoon by attending our Dr. Ben Sopranzetti's superb Financial Strategy course; the topic was one of his favorites, Executive Financial Negotiations.
Thanks to Team Emba's Ozgur Yaglidere for helping to make the day run like clockwork!
Now check out the photos—courtesy of Ozgur---and please be in them when we have our next alumni event!
Welcome to the Powerhouse.
Powerhouse Series
Throughout the year, our EMBAs are invited to attend the Powerhouse Series, a compilation of certificate offerings and informative panel discussions on the latest trends and topics.
View the latest installment of the Power House Series
EMBA Golf Classics
Golf events are organized by the current classes and alumni, and are held at local golf courses.
Golf is followed by dinner and, of course, vigorous networking all day! Often, golf classes for first-time golfers are also arranged. If golf is not your thing, students and alumni may attend only for dinner and networking.
Rutgers EMBA Summer Meet and Greet!
Superb day at the Rutgers EMBA 'Meet and Greet" at the Readington Brewery in bucolic Hunterdon County. It was so good to see the Big Engine Room alumni of the Rutgers Executive MBA Powerhouse again! We had over 100 in attendance! If you missed it, you MUST make it next year.
Rutgers Business School Community
As a Rutgers Executive MBA student, not only do you have access to EMBA-exclusive events, you are part of the greater RBS community and have access to attend many other events and workshops outside of the program.
Thanks for two great years that will continue to have an impact on my life till the day I die. I have met such a wonderful group of people that I will be friends with for life—that have common interests, goals—and I am sure we will be in touch forever. It is too bad there are no ROI measures for that ...
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Brad Kinnas, EMBA alum