Bjørn Za­bell: Em­power­ing Glob­al Lead­er­ship Through CBS Ex­ec­ut­ive MBA

For professionals considering an EMBA to accelerate their career or transition into international roles, Bjørn’s experience showcases the value of combining academic development with practical business application. 

Building a global career at Roche

Bjørn’s journey into the CBS EMBA was supported not only by his own drive but also by the encouragement of management and mentors at Roche, the world’s biggest biotech company. During his time with the company, he had already achieved several key promotions within the Danish organisation. However, his ambition was to prepare himself for a future move to Roche headquarters in Switzerland, a goal he realised shortly after graduating from the EMBA.

In 2023, he assumed the role of Partnering Commercial Assessment Leader, Global Pharma Strategy. In this position, Bjørn led the commercial and financial assessment of in-licensing and M&A opportunities for Roche’s Corporate Business Development organisation.

Even at an early stage in his career, Bjørn had created significant value for Roche Denmark through his strengths in stakeholder management and strategic thinking.  The move into a global role was seen as a natural next step in his development.

“During my studies, Roche connected me with experienced internal senior leaders and executives who supported me and guided me. Their perspectives, insights, and willingness to share their experiences were instrumental to both my academic development and professional growth.”

From Denmark to HQ in Switzerland

The CBS EMBA played an important role in facilitating Bjørn’s transition from Roche’s Danish affiliate to a key position at the company’s global headquarters in Basel.

“First and foremost, I evaluated how well the programme aligned with my career goals,” Bjørn explains. “I needed to ensure the curriculum, learning objectives and overall experience would support my ambitions and provide the skills necessary for advancement. The CBS EMBA stood out because of its global focus and flexibility, allowing professionals like me to continue developing our careers while pursuing a world-class education.”

Bjørn was also particularly drawn to CBS’s international reputation and accreditations, both of which reinforced the value of the degree in an international career context.

Coming from a background in molecular biology, Bjørn wanted a programme that would complement his scientific expertise with broader business knowledge. Courses such as Accounting, Corporate Finance, Marketing, Strategic Management, and the Integrated Strategy Project proved particularly valuable.

“One of the key learnings for me was the ability to understand the business holistically. Getting that foundation in place was crucial for my confidence at HQ,” he says.

Developing Executive Communication Skills

Another important outcome of the EMBA for Bjørn was learning how to communicate complex business challenges and recommendations effectively to senior stakeholders. 

In his role at Roche headquarters, Bjørn had significant exposure to strategic decision-makers, and the programme helped him develop both his executive presence and his ability to structure recommendations.

“The EMBA taught me how to translate complex analyses into clear strategic recommendations. Senior leaders need concise insights and a clear understanding of the business implications, and that approach has stayed with me ever since.”

Beyond communication skills, the programme equipped Bjørn with concrete business tools and commercial assessments. One example came from the Innovation course in Mumbai where he was introduced to the Business Model Canvas. Bjørn later applied this framework when assessing whether to enter a new field of business.

“I used the Business Model Canvas to structure my analysis and ensure all critical dimensions were considered in the recommendation to leadership.”

Furthermore, the international composition of the CBS EMBA helped prepare Bjørn for a future career at Roche headquarters, where he collaborated with colleagues from around the world.

“Having fellow students from China, India, South America, and elsewhere was a good starting point and helped me when I later moved into HQ, where people truly came from all over the world. It helped me expand my view of business in a global context.”

From Local Affiliate to Global Leadership

Looking back, Bjørn sees the CBS EMBA as an important catalyst in his transition from a local affiliate role to a global leadership position. The programme strengthened his commercial capabilities, increased his confidence in business-facing roles and prepared him to operate effectively in an international environment.

“The EMBA helped me move away from a local perspective to a truly global business perspective. It gave me the confidence, commercial understanding, and international outlook needed when contributing in a headquarters environment.”

Today, Bjørn has returned to Copenhagen and joined Zealand Pharma as Director, Head of Competitive Intelligence. While based in Denmark, his role remains globally oriented as Zealand Pharma expands its global presence.

Bjørn’s career journey reflects the broader transformation that began with his EMBA: the progression from local expertise to global business impact.

The value of an Executive MBA in today’s business world

Bjørn’s success story illustrates how the CBS EMBA enables professionals to achieve their aspirations while driving meaningful impact within their organisations. By fostering global competence and strategic expertise, the programme prepares graduates to break geographic and organisational boundaries.

“The skills, knowledge, and network I gained will continue to shape my career,” Bjørn concludes. “The programme has expanded my global perspectives, strengthened my financial acumen, and equipped me to lead high-performance teams. This is only the beginning of a long journey of impact and growth.”

CBS is among the elite 1% of business schools worldwide to hold triple accreditation. This recognition ensures participants receive a globally respected education, significantly boosting career prospects. In 2024, CBS maintained its status as the leading EMBA in Scandinavia, ranked #6 globally for “Work Experience” by the Financial Times, reflecting the high-level caliber of its participants.

For more information on the CBS Executive MBA programme, visit: cbs.dk/EMBA