Barbara Pafetti describes her long-held desire to obtain an Executive MBA in software terms: “It was about moving from the ‘beta version’ of myself to a fully optimized 2.0, with fewer bugs, stronger features, and a much clearer strategy,” she laughs.

“More specifically, I wanted to broaden my strategic thinking, strengthen my leadership capabilities, and immerse myself in a global business perspective. I was also seeking a program that would challenge me intellectually while surrounding me with ambitious, curious, and diverse peers.”

She says that, while she was drawn to all of those features at Vanderbilt, the Americas track was the deciding factor that led her to join the EMBA program. “The unique combination of travel, cultural immersion, and academic rigor felt like the perfect fit,” says the native of São Paulo, Brazil. “I saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime to learn alongside executives from North and South America, gain international business insights firsthand, and build a global network.”

Through each phase of her MBA experience, Barbara gained a deeper appreciation for how the program’s design advanced her toward her goals. In addition to providing an opportunity to get to know her classmates, the opening residency at New Harmony “set the tone for the entire experience,” she says. “It was a perfect blend of learning, personal reflection, and genuine connection. We went from strangers to a true cohort.”

Taking full advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Leadership Development Program, Barbara says, enabled her to “shift my mindset from being an executive to becoming a true leader.”

During the second year, when she took part in four immersion experiences, a particular highlight for Barbara was the trip to her native Brazil. Gathering with her cohort at the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro—a moment she says she will never forget—“was a powerful, unifying experience that transcended cultures and backgrounds.”

Another highlight stemmed from the program’s design. At the end of their capstone project, which focused on helping Mexico’s second-largest retailer develop ESG solutions to enhance its business model, Barbara’s team traveled to Mexico City to present their findings at the company’s headquarters. “It encapsulated everything I had hoped to find in the program: collaboration, real-world application, cultural immersion, and the thrill of helping solve meaningful business challenges,” she says.

Besides the business learning she gained—and a promotion at her workplace—Barbara says, “the program gave me something invaluable: clarity. It not only illuminated the paths I want to pursue but also helped me confidently step away from paths that aren’t the right fit. And a real gift was the ability to integrate learnings across disciplines, whether it was applying statistics in strategic decisions, embracing ethical frameworks, or leading cross-cultural teams with greater empathy and effectiveness. It has expanded my horizons and sharpened my career focus.”