Cori Cimpoca

Joining the MBA program at COTRUGLI marked a turning point in my journey. Before enrolling, my professional background was rooted in marketing and strategy, where I had spent years helping brands understand their audiences and grow their businesses. I had just founded MKOR, driven by a passion for data and translating insights into real-world strategies. Back then, MKOR was just a bold idea I had turned into a small business, driven by my belief that data can open doors and drive real change.

However, as a new founder, I felt the weight of my own limitations. I was motivated to enroll because I wanted to transition from a specialist mindset to a holistic business leadership mindset. I needed a structured way to address the challenges of scaling a business, from financial planning to strategic positioning, and I was looking for the tools to turn my “bold idea” into a sustainable, professional organization.

The MBA program challenged me to see beyond the day-to-day hustle: it was about leading with purpose, balancing curiosity with structure, and being willing to start over — again and again, if needed. My journey at COTRUGLI was a real game-changer: a chance to challenge my assumptions, broaden my thinking on leadership, and uncover new ways to grow. The program’s blend of rigorous academics and hands-on learning clicked instantly for me. It wasn’t just about theory – it was about turning that theory into tools I could use in my daily work.

I particularly remember the modules on Strategic Management and Finance; they were eye-openers that shifted how I viewed value creation. Although still in the early days and a long way to the growth I was aiming, I began applying the lessons to MKOR in real-time. Managing the balance between work, personal life and studies was intense, but I found that the secret was integration. I treated my business as a living laboratory for my MBA assignments. While it required strict discipline and many late nights, the ROI I saw in my business year over year kept me motivated.

These lessons proved even more valuable during the pandemic, when I launched two startups, tested new business models, and learned to navigate uncertainty with creativity and courage. Turning crisis into opportunity. What stood out most were the diverse perspectives I encountered and the power of working across industries. I truly enjoyed the “unfiltered” environment of our cohort. My classmates came from entirely different worlds—IT, manufacturing, pharma—and their different ways of solving problems taught me that teamwork isn’t about having a group of people who think alike; it’s about creating a space where different viewpoints can collide to create something better.

Those experiences taught me that true leadership is about flexibility, empathy, and finding new ways to connect the dots. These ideas still guide how I lead MKOR today – with curiosity, a drive for excellence and a commitment to turning data into meaningful stories. I’ve learned that leading people is less about having all the answers and more about being a “Chief Meaning Officer” — providing clarity and purpose even when the path ahead is foggy. Of course, my journey to being the leader I want to be is still in progress, but every day is a new learning opportunity.

A decade later, the program’s impact is still clear. It gave me the confidence to keep moving MKOR forward and to build a culture that values curiosity and innovation. To me, being a successful leader today means being resilient and maintaining radical empathy for both my team and our clients and partners. MKOR is now known as a trusted data partner — from journalists and NGOs to global companies. We’ve become the challenger that plays by its own rules, the one that digs deeper for real insights and delivers them in a way that truly matters. I’m proud that our work has grown into a resource for those who believe in transparency and data with impact.

Looking back, I see how COTRUGLI shaped me not just as a founder, but as a person: someone who believes that every day is a chance to grow, to learn, and to push a little further. That mindset — to build things with heart and to never stop learning — is still what guides me today.

To anyone considering an MBA at COTRUGLI, I would say: do it for the transformation, not just the diploma. Be prepared to have your ideas challenged and your horizons expanded. It is an investment in your future self that pays dividends in ways you can’t yet imagine.