Break­ing Bar­ri­ers through Ex­ec­ut­ive Edu­ca­tion: Meet Yas­min Raja

"My first profession was as a teacher, and I've always advocated continuous education. There's always more to learn, especially in the business world.”

YASMIN'S PRE-EMBA JOURNEY…

Yasmin’s EMBA journey began in 2016 when she pursued a Mini MBA programme while a Business Manager at Agilent Technologies.

“Having dedicated a significant portion of my career to sales management, I felt the need to expand my horizons and equip myself with a broader set of tools and skills. And I wanted to test the waters before making the decision to pursue a full-scale EMBA, so I opted for a mini-MBA.”

During her studies, Yasmin was promoted to a Senior Management role within the company. After completing the mini-MBA, she participated in the Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP) at Agilent Technologies. The ELP, similar to a mini-MBA, involved collaborating with other participants to solve a challenging business case while receiving coaching to develop into an emerging leader.

“I assumed the role of lead liaison for a significant departmental project. I submitted the project on behalf of our team and around this time I discovered that I was being considered as the successor to the VP of our division.”

Seeking to prepare for the role, Yasmin was placed in the category of "ready later" and advised to complete an EMBA by the VP, as that was the norm of professionals at the VP level for the company.

ON CHOOSING COPENHAGEN BUSINESS SCHOOL...

Denmark has been Yasmin’s home for most of her adult life so when it came to selecting a school, one of her criteria was a local campus. Yasmin knew that a significant portion of class participants would also be local, which boded well for networking opportunities both during and after the EMBA.

“My decision was made just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I was already aware that I didn't want to deal with the hassle of constant travel for my studies. In my previous role, I was jet-setting around the world, and I had no desire to add regular flights to my degree.”

Yasmin recognised the prestige of accreditation and Copenhagen Business School is among the 1% of business schools worldwide to be triple-accredited.

“The importance of accreditation cannot be overstated. In my mind, a programme had to be triple-accredited to be considered a legitimate institution. I wanted my degree to be recognised and respected.”

Yasmin also liked the flexibility of the EMBA certificate path, also known as the stepwise approach, that CBS offers so she pursued the programme in that manner.

“Life's unexpected opportunities can change your course, so I was attracted to the insurance that the CBS EMBA stepwise approach granted.”

While she wasn’t seeking a new role, she was head-hunted for a position midway through her studies. In assuming the role, she was able to pause her studies due to the flexibility of the stepwise approach.

“I accepted the new position as it’s a broader and more dynamic role compared to my previous role, even though I had managed a vast geographic territory. I do believe that part of why I was considered for the role was because I was enrolled in the Executive MBA.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME...

Yasmin appreciated the tight-knit community among CBS participants, valuing both the calibre and diversity represented. She has formed a small group with other alumni to stay connected and maintain their education.

“I am determined to cultivate and maintain my relationships long after the EMBA so my friends from the programme and I get together for a mix of socialising as well as to work and discuss how to apply the knowledge we've gained. Accountability plays a crucial role in this process, and we're excited to hold each other accountable for continued growth.”

The CBS EMBA admissions team ensures representation from a multitude of sectors. This selection aims to create a dynamic learning environment that encourages a holistic understanding of business challenges and opportunities. This approach enhances individual perspectives and cultivates collaboration where innovative solutions can emerge.

"Coming from a background in diagnostics and life sciences with extensive involvement in the pharma industry, I appreciated the diverse representation of sectors. This prevented the isolation of industry-specific language."

Fostering the engaging atmosphere are the CBS professors and guest lecturers. Being at the forefront of business schools in Europe, CBS draws in distinguished scholars from both within the country and across the globe. Yasmin highlights professors that left an indelible mark in her learning journey…

“Andreas Rasche, in particular, stood out, especially in the domain of sustainability. His teaching truly opened my eyes. Another professor I hold in high regard is Ulf Nielsen, the Finance Professor. Ulf's teaching approach and ability to make the subject interesting was remarkable. Corporate Finance can be a challenging area, especially for someone like me who doesn't deal with it on the daily.”

Yasmin elaborates, “Both of these professors were adept at guiding the dialogue and conversations in the classroom, infusing real-life, up-to-date examples, and actual business cases into the discussions. This approach made the learning experience incredibly energising.”

The CBS EMBA is a rigorous programme that reflects its academic depth and commitment to excellence. As part of the learning journey, participants attend international modules abroad. Most of the international travel modules were cancelled during Yasmin’s studies due to the pandemic.

“I did have the opportunity to visit Mumbai with my second cohort. The international trips play a pivotal role in building strong bonds among the participants. I vividly remember the Innovation Module with Mikkel Draebye. The energy that chap has is truly phenomenal and overall it was a fantastic learning experience.”

YASMIN'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION...

SCIEX is an operating company under Danaher, which employs 80,000 people worldwide, and Yasmin’s role is as the Director - where she is leading the Nordics. She has played a pivotal role in rebuilding the organisation, which included recruiting talent, revitalising the programme, and setting the strategy for the region.

“After two years, we've made substantial progress and are performing well. I'm keen to transition into general management, where the knowledge and skills gained from my EMBA would prove invaluable.”

At SCIEX, she also serves on the DE&I board. While she addresses a multitude of issues, her role also extends to being a female role model for other women interested in joining the industry.

“My EMBA thesis focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), particularly in the context of the lack of female leadership in Sales. This topic is closely linked to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainability, reflecting a broader societal concern. I aim to do my part in encouraging more female leadership in this industry.”