An MBA as a Turning Point Between Expertise, Digitalization, and Leadership
“An MBA is time you dedicate to yourself - for your growth, reflection, and development. Everything else in your career you do for your company, your team, or others, but an MBA is your investment in your own future.”
Looking back on her MBA journey at COTRUGLI Business School, Angelika Brnada describes the experience with one word: transformative.
With a background as a chemical technology engineer and a master’s degree in eco-engineering, Angelika built her career at companies such as Končar – Distributive and Special Transformers, Zagrebačka Pivovara, and INA – Industrija nafte. Today, she operates on a global scale as part of the KANSAI HELIOS Group, one of the world’s leading producers of paints and coatings.
In her current role, she oversees occupational safety, fire protection, environmental protection, and chemical safety across more than 20 production sites in Europe, the United States, Brazil, China, and India.
“At one point, I realized that simply understanding operational and capital costs wasn’t enough. I needed a broader financial perspective to strategically evaluate projects and understand their true value. That need for deeper insight was my main motivation to enroll at COTRUGLI.”
An MBA as a Gateway to New Horizons
What began as a desire to strengthen her financial foundation quickly evolved into a much broader experience.
“I loved the concept of preparation, teamwork, and being tested through practical examples. The MBA especially opened my eyes to the importance of teamwork and digitalization.”
The turning point, she says, came during the final project. Although she initially wanted to work on an app for food donations, she ended up in a team developing a digital platform for boat rentals. “That project completely changed my perspective. I realized how essential digital tools are when working on a global scale. Without them, it’s impossible to connect and reach thousands of people worldwide.”
The MBA also introduced her to a new dimension – entrepreneurship.
“Working on business plans and financial models inspired me to start my own education consultancy. Today, when I plan a project, I don’t just rely on the idea; I also evaluate its financial sustainability. That was a true shift in my professional mindset.”
The Greatest Value: People
While the knowledge and skills she gained are invaluable, for Angelika, the MBA experience is primarily about the people.
“Networking is what I carry with me the most. My generation was filled with exceptional individuals who inspired me, and I especially remember my colleague Barbara Maheshwari, who launched Remote Bob after the MBA, a now-successful international platform for virtual support and hiring assistants. Beyond professional inspiration, the MBA also brought me lifelong friendships that I cherish to this day.”
Balancing and Sacrifices
The journey wasn’t without its challenges.
“It was demanding. My workdays were long, and the MBA required preparation, discipline, and full commitment. I would write papers at 4 a.m., study on weekends, and often start the workweek already exhausted. However, I never wanted to complete the MBA just for the diploma; I wanted to truly understand and learn. That persistence, even when it was tough, gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment today.”
Lessons in Leadership and Mentorship
Throughout her career, Angelika encountered people who shaped her professional and personal growth. Each phase brought someone who helped her become the leader she is today.
“From my mentor at Končar, who sadly passed away too soon, to an exceptional leader I worked with during my time at MOL, and an operations director who left the deepest impression on me – each of them contributed to my development and the way I lead people today.”
Now, Angelika takes on that role herself. “For at least the past ten years, I’ve been mentoring people I work with, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously. I believe it’s every leader’s responsibility to share knowledge, encourage growth, and help others find their own strength.”
Recommendations for Future Generations
If she could design the curriculum for future EMBA generations, Angelika would include four key areas she believes are essential for tomorrow’s leaders:
– Stress management and setting boundaries,
– Understanding geopolitical risks and climate change,
– Digital leadership,
– And, sustainable development.
“Digital tools, like artificial intelligence, are already my quiet but powerful assistant in daily work. Climate change and geopolitical contexts are becoming critical factors in making strategic decisions. These are topics no future leader can afford to ignore.”
To those stepping into their first leadership roles, Angelika offers this advice:
“Believe in yourself, even when you feel unprepared; no one ever feels completely ready. Seek support because leadership isn’t a solo race. And set boundaries; without them, there’s no balance or long-term sustainability. Burnout doesn’t come from weakness but from taking on too much responsibility.”
And for those considering an MBA, she adds:
“It’s absolutely worth it. An MBA is time you dedicate to yourself – for your growth, reflection, and development. Everything else in your career you do for your company, your team, or others, but an MBA is your investment in your own future.”