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Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™

Dates
May 5–8, 2026
Cost
$10,250
CIBE Credits
4
Format
In-Person
Location
Manhattanville, NYC
Requirements
This program is suitable for attendees at all executive levels.
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Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™

Dates
May 5–8, 2026
Cost
$10,250
CIBE Credits
4
Format
In-Person
Location
Manhattanville, NYC

Overview

Business leaders face a billowing stream of data and information on any given workday. With this firehose of information, leaders and their teams must make hundreds of business decisions under uncertainty, yet the process is usually slow, inefficient, or suboptimal.

Often, these decisions are made based on previous experiences, "business as usual," or staying in their comfort zone instead of synthesizing new and existing data. The challenge is:

  • How can executives decipher meaningful information from the clutter?
  • How can executives ensure their decisions impact business against the flood of information washing over them?
  • How can they become catalysts of change in the face of uncertainty?

In our Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ program, we train participants to learn how to make smarter decisions with incomplete information via precision questioning and interrogation of data by putting the data in context and synthesizing the information to arrive at faster, better decisions.

As part of the program, participants will engage in a unique immersive data-driven decision-making experience that tests individual and team-level decision-making skills under pressure and with limited information. This combination of lesson and application creates a high-energy, dynamic learning environment, ensuring executives leave with essential insights and tools they can immediately apply to their team and organization.

The faculty directors of this program perfectly bridge theory and practice. Building on their rich experience from Amazon, American Express, Deloitte, Google, IBM, and Microsoft, as well as academia and their book, Decisions Over Decimals: Striking the Balance Between Intuition and Information.

Please contact our Learning Solutions Specialists at +1 212-854-3395 for a personal conversation to learn more.

Highly data-driven organizations are three times more likely to report significant improvement in decision-making. [1]
3X
Amount of time executives spend making decisions, but feel much of this time is wasted. [2]
~40%
of employees believe they are fully prepared to use data effectively. [3]
25%

 

[1] Think With Google. [2] McKinsey. [3] Accenture.

Key Benefits

With Columbia Business School’s Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ program, executives will acquire the skills and conventional wisdom that they need to make sound business decisions under uncertainty. 

Participants will:

  • Return to their organization with the competencies to make more informed decisions and lead change
  • Learn how to gather, understand, and find value in data across the business continuum
  • Become proficient in extracting meaningful insights
  • Learn how to make decisions with incomplete information
  • Develop a set of pragmatic communication techniques
  • Learn how to build a culture of efficient decision-making
  • Build a network of peers from different sectors, cultures, and countries who can provide diverse perspectives and insights

An essential aspect of the program involves hands-on experience with data-driven decision-making through multiple practical exercises and immersive learning simulation, enabling executives to apply the concepts upon returning to their organization immediately.

Program Content

This program is taught workshop style with lectures, guest speakers, and in-class exercises. Throughout the program, executives will work on a group project that provides an opportunity to integrate Quantitative Intuition™ steps into their decision-making process amidst ambiguity. Program sessions will be devoted to exploring the material through analysis of cases and applying the concepts to real-world situations.


 

Agile decision-making is grounded in how you think, not how hard you work. We often jump into solution mode often confusing activity with impact. In our rush toward a solution, we neglect to frame the problem. In this Quantitative Intuition™ pillar, learn the powerful “I wish I knew” technique to identify the core fundamental issue, as well as the power of working backward from a decision.

Participants will:

  • Understand their biases
  • Discover the power of questions 
  • Learn how to ask data-driven questions
  • Work backward from a decision

Quantitative Intuition™ Framework

Participant Profile

The program is designed for executives of all levels who wish to equip themselves with decision-making skills to be successful leaders and drivers of change in our data-driven world. This program benefits:

  • Executive Leaders and Decision-Makers: Senior executives and decision-makers across various industries who face the challenge of making strategic and operational decisions amidst an overwhelming influx of data.
  • Managers and Directors in Data-Intensive Roles: Professionals in roles where data analysis and interpretation are crucial, such as data analytics managers, business intelligence directors, and IT managers.
  • Strategists and Consultants: Individuals in consulting, strategic planning, and advisory roles who assist organizations in navigating the data-driven business landscape.
  • Cross-Functional Leaders: Managers and leaders from cross-functional teams, including marketing, finance, operations, and product development, who require a comprehensive understanding of how to utilize data effectively in their respective domains.
  • Innovators and Change Agents: Professionals who make critical decisions to drive innovation and change within their organizations, such as heads of innovation, growth, and transformation leaders.

Faculty

Oded Netzer, Arthur J. Samberg Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, is an expert in data-driven decision-making. He mainly researches business challenges and develops quantitative methods to guide decision-making under uncertainty.

Oded Netzer

Arthur J. Samberg Professor of Business, Columbia Business School

Program Co-Director
Christopher Frank, Adjunct Professor of Business at Columbia University and Faculty Co-Director of Columbia Business School’s Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ Executive Education program.

Christopher Frank

Adjunct Professor of Business

Program Co-Director
Paul Magnone, Faculty Co-Director of Columbia Business School’s Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ Executive Education program and an Adjunct Professor of Business at Columbia Business School.

Paul Magnone

Adjunct Professor of Business

Program Co-Director

Testimonials

“Quantitative Intuition is truly one of the best classes I have ever taken. Professor Netzer, Frank and Magnone opened my eyes to a new way of thinking; the insights I gained from this class have had an immediate impact on the way I strategize and lead in my organization.”

Robert Reeder, Director of Finance at GlassView LLC, shared that Columbia Business School’s Quantitative Intuition is one of the best classes he took and influenced the way he strategize, lead, and make decisions under uncertainty in his organization.

Robert Reeder

Director of Finance at GlassView LLC

“Superb context to a balanced and pragmatic approach to using data in your decision-making process by combining it with practical intuition.”

Juan Freyre, Director of Planning & Logistics at Johnson & Johnson, regards Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition as a program that provides superb context to a balanced, pragmatic approach to using data in decision-making.

Juan Freyre

Director of Planning & Logistics at Johnson & Johnson

“This course went right to the heart of the day-to-day challenges I face with decision and data and provided practical and useful insights for addressing them.”

Akolade Oni, CMO & Strategy Head at Axa Mansard Insurance Plc, applied the practical and useful insights from the decision-making classes at Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition to tackle daily challenges at work.

Akolade Oni

CMO & Strategy Head at Axa Mansard Insurance Plc

“This class helped me put common sense to practical use. Excellent teachers who were very enlightening. Definitely lots to take back to my organization!”

Nilanjana Ramsinghani, Director and Owner at Rama Phosphates Ltd, found the decision-making class for executives enlightening and helped put common sense to practical use.

Nilanjana Ramsinghani

Director and Owner at Rama Phosphates Ltd

“An absolute must for anyone in this data-driven world, especially if you must present to executives or clients.”

Alexander Sharpe, Principal at UBS, highly recommends this decision-making training to anyone in this data-driven world, especially for those who need to present to executives and clients.

Alexander Sharpe

Principal at UBS

Participant Interviews

Decision-Making in High-Stakes Security
With Carlos R. Gomez

Decision-Making in High-Stakes Security
With Carlos R. Gomez

Carlos R. Gomez, Senior Security Engineer at Amazon, protects millions of households across the company’s IoT ecosystem—where slow or uncertain decisions can have real consequences. After completing Columbia Business School’s Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ program, he shares how the experience sharpened his ability to balance intuition with data and make confident, high-stakes decisions under pressure.

Navigating Complexity in E-Commerce Leadership with Stephanie Lea Baker

Navigating Complexity in E-Commerce Leadership with Stephanie Lea Baker

Stephanie Lea Baker has built her career on transforming customer insights into strategic advantage in the fast-paced world of digital commerce. As Chief Commercial Officer for a global entertainment and e-commerce company, she helped steer major acquisitions and rapid expansion with a data-driven mindset. After completing Columbia Business School’s Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ program, she reflects on how the experience strengthened her ability to connect data to strategy and balance instinct with analysis.

Transforming Energy Leadership with Dennis Kwok

Transforming Energy Leadership with Dennis Kwok

Dennis Kwok, an inventor, entrepreneur, and board director with over 35 years in the global oil and gas industry, has built his career around driving innovation and sustainable solutions for the upstream energy sector. Seeking to strengthen his decision-making in an increasingly data-driven, AI-enabled environment, he joined Columbia Business School’s Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ program. He shares how the experience sharpened his leadership and enhanced his ability to navigate risk and uncertainty.

Making Better Decisions in a Fast-Moving Industry
with Maria Real

Making Better Decisions in a Fast-Moving Industry
with Maria Real

Maria Real oversees multi-entity accounting operations across multiple countries at Live Nation—translating complex activity into clear financial insights for leadership in a fast-moving industry. Wanting a stronger framework for making confident decisions when perfect data isn’t available, she joined Columbia Business School’s Leading in a Data-Driven World: Developing Quantitative Intuition™ program. Maria shares how the experience strengthened her leadership and refined her approach to data-driven finance.

“Information is essential to making intelligent decisions, but more often than not, it overwhelms us in today’s data-rich environment. We’ll equip you with a systematic framework to make smarter decisions under uncertainty.”

Oded Netzer

Vice Dean of Research and the Arthur J. Samberg Professor of Business at Columbia Business School,

Hear about the program from faculty co-directors Oded Netzer, Paul Magnone, and Christopher Frank, as they highlight the importance of developing quantitative intuition that enables executives to make smart decisions despite ambiguity.

All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.

FAQ

Assignments

Will there be any homework or assignments?
For select programs, there will be some assignments to complete after the end of select program sessions. Assignments will typically consist of readings, self-reflections, and brief assessments. This approach is designed to help you practice your learnings.

How long will assignments take?
We do not expect that homework assignments will take up a large amount of time to complete. 

Will there be any examinations or grades?
There will be no examinations or grades for our live online programs.

Certification

I’m interested in the Certificate in Business Excellence (CIBE), how do I get started?
At Columbia Business School Executive Education, you’ll be able to customize a unique learning experience by selecting programs that best interest you and are most suited for your needs. Any completed program, regardless of format (live online, in-person, or online), will count towards the Certificate in Business Excellence. 

Which programs qualify for the CIBE? 
Any completed executive education program, regardless of format (live-online, in-person, or online), will count towards the Certificate in Business Excellence. Partner programs will also count towards the certificate.

What programs are considered partner programs? 
Executive education programs developed and administered with our educational partners, bring the best of our combined knowledge, thought leadership, resources, and expertise. Kindly find a list of our partners here on our partnership page.

What are the costs of the certificate? 
There’s no set cost associated with the certificate path since you’re able to customize your learning journey with in-person and online programs (price will vary depending on the program type and length).

Are there any tuition assistance or scholarships? 
At Columbia Business School Executive Education, we offer non-degree and non-credit-based professional development programs to the global business community. As our programs are non-degree and non-credit, they do not qualify for financial aid.

How are CIBE credits determined? 
Credits for a program are determined by the program duration and total learning hours. 

Where do I find information on the credit value for a program?
You will find this information on each program page. Credits range from 0.5 credits – 26 credits per program. 

How do I get enrolled in the CIBE? 
Your certificate journey will start with your first program, and you have 4 years to complete your CIBE. You may register for any of our executive education programs on each program page. You may enroll using the “Enroll Now” button, and the application process should take 5-10 minutes. 

How do I receive credits? 
You are required to fully attend a program and complete all necessary coursework in order to receive CIBE credits. Credits are only awarded after you complete a program. 

How do I check the status of my Certificate completion? 
Kindly reach out to a Learning Solutions representative for any questions on the status of your CIBE credit count. 

Do CIBE credits expire? 
Credits are only valid for four years. If you have not completed your CIBE within four years, we will only count non-expired credits towards your CIBE credit total.

Does the Certificate in Business Excellence expire? 
Your Certificate in Business Excellence does not expire. Once you become a certificate recipient, you will join the greater alumni community at Columbia Business School. 

I’ve reached 18 CIBE credits, what’s next? 
Congratulations! You should receive a digital copy of your certificate at the end of your program. If you do not receive a copy from your program manager, kindly contact your Learning Solutions representative or your program manager for next steps. 

Will I receive a physical certificate? 
Upon completion, you will receive a secure, digital certificate through Accredible. Within the platform you will have the option to print your credential, post it to your LinkedIn feed, or display it on your profile as a certification. Please contact your program manager for the status of your digital certificate. 

How do I get access to my alumni benefits? 
Once you complete your CIBE, we kindly ask for your patience as we process your alumni credentials. The processing time can take anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks long. 

Can I add the Certificate in Business Excellence to LinkedIn? 
Yes! We will provide you with instructions on how to add your certificate to your LinkedIn profile after you become a Certificate recipient. 
 

Preferred Pricing and Tuition Benefits for Alumni

Are there preferred pricing options available?
Yes, preferred pricing is available for groups of two or more. To inquire, email execed@gsb.columbia.edu.

As a Columbia Business School alumni am I eligible for tuition benefit?

When you earn a Certificate in Business Excellence you will receive a 25 percent tuition benefit for full-price Executive Education in-person programs lasting three and four days and all full-price online programs. Exclusions apply**

 

Which programs do not qualify for a 25 percent tuition benefit?

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