Spotlight on the Future of Business

Business analytics has become more critical than ever especially as it’s been applied to a growing variety of functions such as operations, marketing, finance, and strategic planning. Charles Daniel Guetta, faculty co-director of the Business Analytics (Online): Create Value Through Data Analysis program, shares key insights into what data business analytics skills will be needed now and in the future.

Data analysis can be used to overcome business challenges, find the best decision, and create rewarding opportunities. Mark N. Broadie, faculty co-director of the Business Analytics (Online): Create Value Through Data Analysis program, shares key insights into the real-world solutions as well as the limitations business analytics can provide.

Business analytics is the tool that helps you challenge your intuition and question the status quo. Omar Besbes, faculty co-director of the Business Analytics (Online): Create Value Through Data Analysis program, shares key insights into how business analytics provides a key competitive edge.

For many workers, data literacy is like a foreign language. When you don’t speak the language, confusion and frustration take hold. Ciamac C. Moallemi, faculty co-director of the Business Analytics (Online): Create Value Through Data Analysis program, shares key insights into translating this business language.

Climate change affects almost every business in large and small ways every day. Leaders are discovering that the journey to net zero not only makes sense but profits too. Geoffrey M. Heal, faculty director of Business and Climate: The Journey to Net Zero, shares key insights into the leadership skills needed when it comes to climate change and business.

An often overlooked aspect of climate change is its potential as a business opportunity. Geoffrey M. Heal, Faculty Director of Business & Climate: The Journey to Net Zero program, shares key insights into the opportunities for growth and innovation for companies that address climate change.

The world of finance is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by disruptive technologies that are transforming the way we live, work, and interact with money. Robert A. Farrokhnia, Program Director of the Future of Finance program, shares his key insights on how executives can leverage these innovations for their own success.

As Fintech continues to evolve and reshape the banking sector's financial landscape, executives face several challenges in staying current with these changes. Program Director of the Future of Finance program Robert A. Farrokhnia shares his thoughts on the biggest challenges executives currently face and ways they can more effectively navigate market dynamics.

What does it take to be a successful venture capitalist or angel investor? Program Director of the Venture Capital: Investing in Early-Stage Startups program and 37 Angels founder Angela Lee shares key strategies and insights into the world of startup investment.

We sat down with social psychologist Malia Mason to discuss the roadblocks and hurdles women in leadership need to overcome in order to advance in their career. Mason is an expert on social judgment and behavior. As faculty co-director of the Women in Leadership: Next Level Success program, Mason helps individuals overcome the biases that hinder performance, enabling them to leverage their strengths more effectively.

We met with strategy expert Trish Gorman and social psychologist Malia Mason to gain their perspectives on the crucial importance of female leaders. Gorman is a strategy expert and consultant dedicated to proactive strategic change leadership. Mason specializes in social judgment, exploring how people evaluate others in work settings. As faculty co-directors of the Women in Leadership: Next Level Success program, Gorman and Mason help develop and elevate the impact of women – empowering them to achieve their next-level success.

The evolving tech landscape, from generative AI to MarTech, has reshaped the customer journey. In this ever-changing digital market landscape, how can organizations construct a strategy that is coherent yet still able to react to real-time market situations? We asked AI-Driven Marketing Strategy program co-directors Miklos Sarvary and Kinshuk Jerath to share their thoughts on creating effective digital marketing strategies amidst constant change.

Delving into CX design reveals its pivotal role in shaping customer perceptions and interactions. Co-faculty directors of the Designing Customer Experiences: From Strategy to Execution program Bernd Schmitt and Markus Giesler offer their perspectives on integrating these principles to elevate the customer journey and achieve sustainable growth.

Change within an organization is extremely difficult, especially when it comes to shifting digital economy. David Rogers, acclaimed expert on digital transformation, the best-selling author and program director of the Leading Digital Transformation program, shares his insights into his Digital Transformation Roadmap and the first steps executives can take towards leading their organizations to a successful digital transformation.

For 15+ years, Abdullah Assadi has worked in Human Resources and Business Development. He knows that leadership development is the key to transforming people and organizations. As a past participant of the program, Abdullah shares his insights into how the Executive Development Program helps executives gain the tools they need to adapt to the challenges of tomorrow and achieve their goals.

Catalina Rivera is a people person. A Human Resources executive, she has overseen talent in the United States, Mexico, and South America for small companies and large corporations. As the future of work is changing, she wanted to prepare for whatever is coming next. Catalina shares her insights into how the Executive Development Program prepares participants for the workforce of the future.

A seasoned strategist in Southeast Asia, Joseph Ho wanted to stretch his perspectives beyond the usual groupthink. He wanted to expand his skills to more effectively lead his team and find new ways to problem solve for his clients. Joseph shares his insights into how the Executive Development Program prepares participants to strategize for the future.

René Lumley-Hall, MBA ’06, Limited Partner at How Women Invest, leverages her 20+ years in strategy and tech to advance women-led ventures. In The Business of AI program, she gained critical insights and leadership skills to drive AI-powered innovation. René highlights the program’s diverse networking, hands-on company visits, and faculty consultations as key to her ability to lead sustainable transformation in business.

Pranay Rajgarhia, founder of SolidCircle and Marg Investment LLC, has over 30 years of experience in IT and a diverse entrepreneurial background. As a past participant in The Business of AI program, he shares how the program equipped him with the knowledge to lead in the AI landscape. Pranay highlights the transformative experience, from personalized consultations to diverse networking opportunities, preparing him to innovate and guide his clients through the evolving world of AI.

Meriam Bessa, CEO of L’Atelier Digital, is set to revolutionize personal development with her new venture, Phoenix AI. As a participant in The Business of AI program, Meriam shares how the program's curriculum and mentorship equipped her to lead this innovative journey. From gaining deep AI insights to networking with industry leaders, Meriam highlights how this experience is scaling her business impact and driving the future of AI in personal development.

Luke Statz, an AI Strategist in New York, transitioned from a career in finance, tech, and the federal government to harness AI’s transformative power. Through The Business of AI program, Luke deepened his understanding of AI, explored practical applications, and formed a global network of peers. He shares how the program’s immersive learning journey equipped him to lead and innovate in the evolving AI landscape.

Penelope MA, Director of Maple Inv Singapore and CFA charter holder, has a wealth of experience in global financial markets. As a participant in The Business of AI program, Penelope shares how the blend of theoretical knowledge, practical applications, and personalized consultations has been transformative. She highlights the program’s impact on her ability to lead and innovate in finance, the value of networking with peers, and the insights gained from company visits.

Stan Glezer, Managing Director at Outcome Capital LLC, brings 30 years of biopharmaceutical and medical technology expertise to transform patient care. Through the Designing Customer Experiences program, Stan explored integrating customer experience into healthcare product development. He highlights the program’s blend of theory and practice, insights from the NYC retail tour, and the impact of faculty expertise. Stan’s experience emphasizes a customer-centric approach to innovating health technologies to enhance patient outcomes.

Vanessa Chu, co-founder and President of Stretch*d, transitioned from investment banking to the wellness industry after completing her MBA at Columbia Business School in 2011. As a participant in the Designing Customer Experiences program, Vanessa shares how the program’s insights and diverse cohort have equipped her to enhance CX at Stretchd. She highlights how the experience has shaped her strategic approach and prepared her to expand the business nationwide.

Sebastiaan Knibbeler, founder of ControlRebels, transitioned from law to entrepreneurship to simplify Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions. Seeking to improve customer-centric marketing and direct sales, Sebastiaan joined Columbia's Designing Customer Experiences program. He shares how the program's blend of theory, real-world application, and insights from industry leaders has refined his approach, enabling him to better connect with clients and lead innovation at ControlRebels.

Noopoor Rabi is the Area Director for the Railroad Business (North America) at L&T Technology Services, leading a team that services railroad customers on IT and engineering fronts. As a participant in the Designing Customer Experiences program, Noopoor shares how the program equipped her with strategies for engaging niche B2B markets. Highlighting her experience with diverse peers, impactful sessions with faculty, and the eye-opening NYC Retail Tour, Noopoor discusses how storytelling and technology can transform customer engagement and innovation in the railroad industry.

As a global business strategist and Chief Strategy Officer, veteran Luis Armendaris knows how to lead diverse teams to success. Believing all modern executives need to be well-rounded, Luis wanted to improve his marketing skills. We sat down with Luis to get his insights into extending his influence and reach beyond the military with Columbia Business School Executive Education’s Chief Marketing Officer program.

Different leadership skills may be required for different moments in life. Anthony Gitalado wanted to expand his leadership skills as he shifted from his military career to the public sector as a “vet-repreneur.” We sat down with Anthony, who took several different executive education programs a la carte, to get his leadership insights.

Whether helping soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Army Medical Center or strategizing health solutions in the private sector, MAJ (R) Henry Pittman has always known how impactful healthcare systems can be. Henry shares his insights into how Columbia Business School Executive Education’s Venture Capital Private Equity program has helped him transition from a military career to a business career.