Alumni Testimonials
Executive MBA Testimonials |
Mike Clothier
Executive MBA
VetEdge, Inc.
"The best part of the program was the absolute commitment to teaching that I saw from the faculty. Their level of interest and concern was unlike any experience I have had before."
Maritza Flores
Executive MBA
High Flying Food Restaurant Group
"Education has always been one of my personal values. As the youngest of a family of immigrants, obtaining a Master degree was a long term dream. The MBA program at Saint Mary's College provided the confidence and network to pursue my professional goals. Right after graduation I was offered the position of Director of Operations of an outstanding restaurant group. This achievement could not have been possible without the knowledge, resources and tools the program offered. As an alumni I still get to enjoy the benefits of being part of a great community and most important, to continue building friendships that will last a lifetime."
Elba Linscott
Executive MBA
Cisco Systems
"It was incredibly convenient for me to be able to work full-time while earning my MBA even though I work and live in San Jose. In addition, the quality of professors at Saint Mary’s College truly exceeded my expectations."
Karen J. Maggio
Executive MBA
Principal and Founder, POM Resource Group
"My MBA from Saint Mary's College gave me the tools and confidence to move into senior level administrative positions and to eventually start and run my own business."
Scot Kim
Executive MBA
Cisco Syststems
"The Saint Mary's College Executive MBA program allowed me to switch my career path. I was an IT Program Manager and wanted to transition my career to be more customer-facing. Through the knowledge I obtained with my EMBA I landed a role as the Senior Business Development Manager for Cisco Systems for the world-wide service providers sales organization where I am relevant not only to the senior executive staff, but also to 4,000 sales account managers."
Carol Madson
Executive MBA
HP PSG Americas Marketing
Consumer Segment Project Manager
"I decided to go through the Saint Mary's EMBA program because I wanted a bank of knowledge I could access when an opportunity comes my way to follow my passions, instead of feeling limited because I didn't take the time to invest in myself short-term for my ultimate long-term goals. An Executive MBA from Saint Mary’s allows me this freedom and confidence. The program is designed to pull out the creative through a cohort format. Working as a team allows each individual creative expression and awareness of abilities they may not have realized they had all along."
Gary Sipos
Executive MBA, AIF
Executive Vice-President
highWAY Financial Networks
"Before attending my Saint Mary’s Executive MBA program I rose through the ranks at Hewlett-Packard taking advantage of their management training programs over 14 years while managing software, hardware, and manufacturing teams. I then transitioned into the start-up world successfully researching our marketplace, defining our product, hiring software developers, leading engineering teams, and selling our offering to delighted customers. The practical knowledge I gained from my Saint Mary’s MBA was invaluable. Saint Mary’s collaborative learning process coupled theoretical teachings with practical business knowledge that provided me with well-rounded skills I have taken directly from the classroom to the factory floor and the board room. My MBA rounded out my skill set that enabled me to strongly contribute to our companies success."
Michael Bendorf
Chief Executive, Global Equity Organization
"Saint Mary's Graduate Program in International Business not only provided me with a solid foundation in numerous business disciplines but, more importantly, a genuine understanding of, appreciation for, and desire to work in a multicultural environment. In this ever-shrinking world, that’s proven to be an important factor in enhancing both my career and personal life.”
JP McDermott
Executive MBA
Career Transitions Specialist
Mass Mutual Financial Group
"The Saint Mary’s MBA experience gave me the confidence to be a leader in my career and become involved in non-profits and my community. I received advice from an alum when I graduated to get involved in non-profits – they can really use our experience and leadership. I took that to heart and have been in leadership positions as a volunteer ever since I graduated."
Song Woo
Executive MBA
President and CEO, Lighthouse Management Group, Inc.
"The MBA program at Saint Mary’s equipped me with the tools I needed to successfully launch my start-up business with confidence. In addition to furthering my education, I also met some really good people and built networks and relationships that will last a lifetime."
Hybrid Executive MBA Testimonials |
Brandi Narvaez
Executive MBA – Hybrid
Program Manager, Sentillion, Inc
"The Hybrid EMBA option was a perfect fit for me. I appreciated that part of the program was online, and since I travel a lot for work, this really fit into my schedule. My professors, the other students and I all interacted as if we were in the same classroom together."
Angie Lai
Executive MBA – Hybrid
VP/Director, Market Growth & Development Manager
Wells Fargo's Independent Brokerage Group
"I've always valued education and increasing my knowledge in all areas. The Saint Mary's MBA Hybrid Program allowed me to receive my MBA degree while working full-time. The Hybrid Program was also ideal for my situation since I traveled for business every 2 weeks. I'm proud to have my MBA. It will help me tremendously in my pursuit of additional professional and personal goals."
Natalie Williams
Executive MBA – Hybrid
Grants Officer
"The Hybrid Executive MBA program model exposed me to innovative technology and enhanced my interaction with emerging digital media. The model successfully taught me how to leverage technology in the work environment."
Trans-Global Executive MBA Testimonials |
Patty Eaton
Trans-Global Executive MBA
Director of Development and Communications
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center
"The TGEMBA program helped to open windows to my mind and spirit. The excellent academic program combined with the challenge and authenticity of real world learning proved a worthwhile, indelible experience."
Mike Fox
Trans-Global Executive MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Goodwill Industries
"The T-GEMBA program offers precisely the kind of practical application of business concepts in a real-world, global context that can help me transform Goodwill."
Cory L. Haynes
Trans-Global Executive MBA
Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management
"The overseas module was the key differentiator that separated Saint Mary’s Trans-Global Executive MBA program from the rest. Studying about a region versus being in the actual setting are entirely two different things. It was a tremendous opportunity to learn through cultural immersion. In Brussels we were in European Commission’s Chambers speaking with European Ministers of Parliament. In Austria and Slovenia we interacted with corporate executives of leading edge companies. Experiential learning though acculturation supersedes any book or website. Clearly, the successful 21st Century executives will be those that have first-hand experience with the people and culture of the region in which they do business."
Desi Judilla
Trans-Global Executive MBA
Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Tessolve Services Inc.
"Growing my Company means making good decisions and knowing when to make adjustments along the way . My experience in the Saint Mary’s Trans-Global ExecutiveMBA program has given me the confidence and knowledge to effect positive change in both my business and the world around me."
Jocelyn King
Trans-Global Executive MBA
Director, Marketing Operations Worldwide Marketing, National Semiconductor
"Saint Mary’s T-GEMBA degree is the ideal program for business professionals who want more than just a textbook understanding of managing business globally. Of the many Executive MBA programs I reviewed, T-GEMBA was by far the best in combining global economic and business theory with practical application and two overseas modules. The instructors bring both scholarly achievements and real-world business experience to the classroom and, as good as they are, I am equally impressed with the experience and capabilities of my fellow students. I have made what I’m sure will be lasting friendships and professional colleagues across a wide range of industries."
Haranath Tirumalasetty
Trans-Global Executive MBA
Web Support Engineer, Wells Fargo Bank
"As part of an accomplished and experienced cohort, I gained valuable knowledge and obtained different perspectives through every group discussion which has improved my creativity. As the program challenged me with a new subject every month, I became more efficient at managing my time and my aptitude increased due to constant practice. As a result, I have a feeling of accomplishment everyday. Even though I have two children in elementary school and a full-time job, the T-GEMBA program taught me to how to improve and be efficient at work and at home and every interaction I have. Overall this program is unlocking my potential everyday."
M.S. in Financial Analysis and Investment Management Testimonials |
Don Mason
MS FAIM 2009
"The Financial Analysis and Investment Management (FAIM) program has increased my knowledge and ability of investment theory, asset classes, and corporate finance. The MS-FAIM program is a great tool to prepare for the CFA program and/or a career in investment management. Learning and working with a close-knit cohort, I gained invaluable experience from fellow students, faculty, and real world examples and situations. I would recommend this program to any prospective student wishing to further their career in the CFA program and the investment industry."
Susun Y. Su
MS FAIM in '06 and MBA in '07
Senior Business Analyst, Barclays Global Investors (BlackRock Global Investors)
"St. Mary's was the obvious choice for me because it offered an evening program with excellent professors and classmates who wanted to be there. Thanks to the joint MBA-MS FAIM degrees, I made the transition from management consulting to finance. The 2 degrees offered a good balance between studying finance in-depth (MS FAIM) and a comprehensive dive into Business Marketing and Strategy (MBA). I also learned a lot from my classmates when they shared their work experience related to our lectures. Looking back, those long nights were worth it because we had a lot fun while learning so much - what else could you do for fun that is productive too?"
Christine Simpson
MS FAIM ‘06, MBA ‘08
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, MPF Advisers, LP
"As a three time graduate from Saint Mary’s College, I highly recommend the FAIM program for anyone wanting to start, or advance in, a career within the financial services industry. A fantastic value for your money, especially considering the CFA study format and the MBA option. Having the program follow the CFA curriculum was especially helpful, along with being cohort based. The program truly helped me in my chosen field of work as Chief Investment Officer for a real estate securities firm."
Josh Taft
MS FAIM '07
Equity Trader and Associate, GBI
" One of the primary reasons I decided to pursue the MS-FAIM degree was to better prepare me for the grueling 3-level CFA exam. The program did a fantastic job of "preparing me to prepare", as I like to say, and I felt far more prepped than the vast majority of CFA candidates I came into contact with as I was studying for the 3 exams. With the foundation of the MS-FAIM program beneath me and plenty of time spent studying on my own I was able to pass all 3 levels of the exam on my first try and am now a CFA charterholder. "
Professional MBA Testimonials |
Christina Jennings
Professional MBA
Senior Project Manager, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
"Earning my MBA at Saint Mary's has given me a broader perspective and expanded my career options. Much of what I learned in class has been directly applicable in my job. In my International Marketing Class, for example, the instructor required us to apply all the skills we had gained in a project that had us develop a real-life venture in another country"
"Near the end of the MBA program, I was the successful candiate for a Senior Project Manager Position in my Company's Customer Research Department. The skills that I learned in the MBA Program ensured a smooth transition to marketing research from my previous position in technology research."
Sonia Jimenez
Professional MBA
Project Manager,
EJ Gallo Winery
“Receiving my MBA from Saint Mary’s is a huge milestone in my life especially since I am the first in my family to receive an MBA degree. The educational experience I received has not only allowed me to achieve my professional goals but has encouraged others to further their education development. The professional program offered me flexibility to continue working full time while still offering a rigorous curriculum and skills that were directly pertinent to my job.”
Derek Watry
Professional MBA
Associate Principal, Wilson, Ihrig & Associates, Inc.
"Prior to coming to Saint Mary's, my educational expereince had been at two large, public institutions that seemed to foster competition among students. In contrast, the students at Saint Mary's were very cooperative, and we worked together on groupl projects from the first class."
"In business today, knowing how to work cooperatively with a variety of people is a valuable skill, and it's a skill that is developed in the Saint Mary's MBA program."
