At Bridgestone, Radha Pingle’s job is to ensure regulatory compliance for the company worldwide and to oversee legal functions in the Americas. To handle her responsibilities, Radha draws on her background from her native India in sciences, labor law and human resources.

Despite her successes at Bridgestone, where she started as a legal analyst in January 2016, Radha concluded that she needed to know more about other aspects of the business, such as finance, supply chain and operations. So, nine months after joining the company, she joined the Executive MBA program at Vanderbilt.

For her, it was an easy choice. Owen wasn’t just the local school; it was family. “My husband is alum of Owen and enjoyed his time at Vanderbilt,” she says. “As a spouse, I had a first-hand preview of life as a student at Vanderbilt and liked what I saw. Vanderbilt staff not only supports the student but the whole family throughout the journey, making it a unique, family-like experience.

“And with world-class professors and a small-school environment, I felt Vanderbilt would deliver a world-class education and experience.”

As with her spouse, Radha found that “Owen creates a safe and friendly environment for people to learn, develop, grow and build a network. As a student,” she says, “you’re always encouraged to test and implement things you’ve learned immediately at work. The professors and staff are always there when you need guidance or help, and you are surrounded with highly motivated classmates who are always there for you.”

In particular, Radha believes that the program enabled her to hone her skills in problem solving and in leading teams. Senior management at Bridgestone seemed to notice. Since she joined the program, Radha was promoted from an analyst to a manager, with more responsibilities and opportunities. In 2017, while she was midway through her studies, Bridgestone recognized her work with the Global Strategic Business Partnership Award. And in 2018, she was promoted again — to a position with global responsibilities.

"Vanderbilt staff not only supports the student but the whole family throughout the journey, making it a unique, family-like experience.”