Valeria Burlakova is from the Ukraine and is the Market Development Manager for EMEA at Dupont Water Solutions. She is a current participant of the Leadtech Global Executive MBA offered by EADA Business School and École Des Ponts Business School. What interested her most about this programme was the focus on leadership skills and new business technologies.
Why did you decide to undertake the Leadtech Global Executive MBA?
I had wanted to do an MBA for quite a few years now. A couple of friends, including one of my best friends, inspired me to do it as she graduated from Berkeley Haas business school with an MBA. So, I wanted to do it, but it was so challenging due to my busy agenda with a lot of business trips. However, due to Covid-19, last year I had a lot more time to dedicate to studying, so I started looking at programmes and found that the Leadtech Global Executive MBA was the most interesting for me. It was a good opportunity to really dedicate enough time. I didn’t want to get an MBA just to get a piece of paper – I really wanted to learn new things and that takes time. So now is the perfect time.
“Everybody knows that the future world is digital and new technology is critical. I think that this particular programme will give me a tremendous advantage in the future because this is the direction that our business is heading now.”
What interested you the most about our Leadtech Global Executive MBA?
I researched each and every MBA with a campus in Barcelona. I contacted some graduates and students from other schools, as well as EADA. This programme was the most interesting for me due to its focus on technology. Everybody knows that the future world is digital and new technology is critical. I think that this particular programme will give me a tremendous advantage in the future because this is the direction that our business is heading now. The Leadtech Global Executive MBA combines the best of EADA Business School (leadership skills, personal growth, mental health) and the best of École Des Ponts Business School (the tech mindset).
What specific benefits do you hope to gain from the programme?
First of all, to grow as a leader. I’m considering moving into a commercial leadership role in my business in the future so what I learn on this programme will really help me to become an inspiring and motivating leader who can help other people to grow. Also, to contribute new ideas and new technologies for our business. It’s the future and it’s coming; in fact, it’s already here, but we still don’t have enough specialists in this field.
What are your first impressions of the programme?
First of all, I really love the diversity of nationalities and industries of my teammates because an important aspect of the programme is that you learn from your teammates.
I was also really impressed by the quality of the classes delivered and even some of the extracurricular activities. They will give you as much as you can absorb. We had some classes from external companies, such as for the blockchain certificate. We also participated in a hackathon. To be honest, before joining this programme, I didn’t even know what a hackathon was, and now my two projects with other teammates have been chosen for the final. The one I did for water reuse, my area of expertise and a real passion of mine, took second place! I’m very proud of this achievement.
Bringing more women into leadership roles has been proven to have positive financial results for the company.
We know that you are very committed to women in leadership. What steps do you think we need to take to advance in this field?
It’s a very common problem in the world. I have already participated in some women’s leadership programmes and will do more in the future. Bringing more women into leadership roles has been proven to have positive financial results for the company. I think it is really about having confidence in women. In many cases, women do an amazing job, but they don’t promote themselves very well and they don’t speak up for themselves. We need to break the stereotypes, especially in technology.