One Year In: Executive DBA Students Reflect on Leadership, Growth, and Transformation
After a profound year in the Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at the Asian Institute of Management, four accomplished leaders reflect on a journey that has reshaped their thinking, purpose, and leadership. For Eugene Acevedo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation; Adette Bernabe, Founder and General Manager of MME Connections, Multimedia Exponents; Jaideep Pradhan, Senior Vice President and Geo Head for Philippines and Colombia of EXL Service; and Brian Pereira, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Dragon X Capital – Australia, the DBA has been far more than an academic pursuit. It became a powerful catalyst for personal and professional reinvention—driven by goals ranging from advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and artificial intelligence (AI) ethics to building intellectual resilience and exploring untapped cultural dimensions. Together, their reflections underscore how the program elevated their leadership in a world defined by constant change.
The program challenged these accomplished leaders far beyond traditional academic learning. It demanded vulnerability, discipline, and the courage to unlearn old frameworks. As Adette puts it, “The DBA is like going into a leadership gym. It stretches you. It gives you pain. But then you form muscles out of it. Ultimately what it really does to you, and what it is doing to me, is building my intellectual stamina for lifelong reinvention.” Brian also likened the rigorous process to athletic training for sustained excellence, and Eugene reflected the unexpected clarity and growth he experienced, wishing he had taken the plunge earlier. Jaideep, on the other hand, highlighted, “It is going to be a lot more difficult than you think, and more in terms of time than anything else. But also, it is going to be a lot more beneficial. So, my advice is to be prepared to go through those tough times. At the end it is absolutely worth it.”
Over their first ten months, the cohort found the DBA experience radically different from past education–marked by collaboration, humility, and generosity rather than competition. Brian highlighted how peers openly shared insights and even organizational resources, fostering camaraderie rarely seen even in elite programs. “We have shared concepts. We have shared homework answers. And we share everything. We actually get through this together. I do not think we can do it alone. You know, because a lot of our research will require us to talk to different organizations and different industries”, he added.
Adette pointed to a culture of psychological safety that encourages authentic dialogue and mentorship. This supportive environment accelerated academic achievements and created a strong sense of belonging. She recalled, “We can be vulnerable. We can show our weaknesses. I made Eugene my ad hoc supervisor. So here is my dissertation proposal. Can you critique it? Tell me the bad things so I can improve on them. But he told me I won’t be harsh, I will just be objective. So there, that is how we are in the cohort.”
Their research journeys became transformative personal quests. Initial pragmatic topics often gave way to passion-driven inquiries with real-world impact. Brian homed in on issues like financial inclusion, while Adette and Jaideep focused on AI’s ethical and leadership challenges. Eugene, meanwhile, explored cultural dimensions of digital transformation. He said, “When I wrote my initial plan, it was very raw compared to what it is now. I am proud of what it has become. The more you learn about something, the more you realize that you never had this much thirst for knowledge or the passion to pursue something ever before in your life.” This intellectual obsession blends rigorous scholarship with emotional investment, expanding their identities and purpose.
Crucially, the DBA reshaped their leadership approaches. Decisions now rest on data and systemic thinking rather than gut instincts or quick fixes. Conversations within their organizations have grown richer and more forward-thinking. Leadership shifted from reactive to reflective, driven by curiosity, evidence, and long-term vision. Brian pointed out, “Rather than making decisions from what we would normally refer to as gut feel, we actually go back to see whether we can find data. Adette added, “Before, I used to jump to conclusions right away. But now, with statistics and data analysis, I discipline myself to analyze data properly before jumping to conclusions.”
For those at the peak of their careers, this cohort’s message is clear: the DBA is an open doorway to renewed growth. It demands commitment and resilience but delivers unparalleled personal and professional transformation. If you feel the pull toward deeper learning, bold questions, and purpose-driven leadership, the Executive DBA might be your next step. Get in touch with us today.
