Matis Meglič

When Matis first began his career after medical school, he didn’t imagine himself in business.
“I assumed I was going to be a researcher, a public health expert,” he recalls. “I didn’t see myself as a business person, an entrepreneur, or anything related to business. At the start, that was not part of the picture of who I was.”

However, once he entered the professional world, things changed. He discovered a passion for creating new digital health solutions, and more importantly, for seeing them succeed in real life.
“I realized that I wanted to see these innovations being used by people. And soon I understood that, to do that, I needed business skills. That was the turning point.”

Choosing COTRUGLI

Matis didn’t initially plan to pursue an MBA, but the need became undeniable.
“I could give business a try, of course, but I wanted to be certain I had the training, the know-how. That’s why I joined COTRUGLI. I felt I was missing the tools to actually lead and grow a business.”

Looking back, he identifies two major lessons the program gave him.
“First, the confirmation that I could actually do it. I realised that business isn’t rocket science, but it is about knowing and applying the right fundamentals. Second, the realization that I don’t need to be good at everything. I learned to accept my weaknesses, surround myself with strong people where I’m not, and build teams that could achieve much more together.”

From Researcher to Global Business Leader

At the time of his MBA, Matis was still a PhD researcher with a startup dream. Today, he has lived that dream.
“Where I am now is what I envisioned back then: I’ve built and run large businesses —hundreds of people, hundreds of millions in revenue — all directly linked to my mission of making healthcare better.”

From his early PhD days at the National Institute of Public Health in Slovenia to becoming its CIO, then moving into industry to lead Digital Health for Medtronic in Europe, and Global Industry Partnerships for Novartis, Matis sees COTRUGLI as a stepping stone.
“It was a booster. It gave me the personal permission to say: yes, I can do this.”

Lessons That Stuck

Two modules remain vivid in his memory.
“Financial Management with Professor Gupta was tough but forced me to build a solid foundation in finance that I still rely on today in my Board work. And Business Decision Making with Professor Pekeč from Duke really clicked with me. I found it very natural to the way I think, and this gave me a huge boost of confidence.”

Memories Beyond the Classroom

The program wasn’t just about academics.
“The most beautiful memories are the nights working with the team, finishing a presentation at dawn, and then standing together proud of what we achieved. And, of course, the networking – talking to inspiring people at very different stages of their careers. That was priceless.”

Though he now lives in Switzerland, Matis still keeps in touch with classmates and faculty.

Balancing It All

Managing an MBA while finishing his PhD, running a startup company, and raising a small child wasn’t easy.
“It was extremely challenging, but I think we ultimately made it work because we are driven by purpose. I was lucky to have the strong support of my wife and family. I kept telling myself: this is what you wanted, it’s temporary, and it will help you grow. That mindset helped me prioritize what really mattered.”

Why COTRUGLI?

Asked why he chose COTRUGLI over other business schools, Matis points to two decisive factors:
“First, the people. I met my future classmates in Ljubljana before starting, and I felt the right energy – smart, ambitious, kind individuals from different industries. Second, the faculty. The professors were world-class, coming from top universities, not just locally sourced. That really persuaded me.”

Looking Ahead

For the future of executive education, Matis sees two urgent needs: learning to manage uncertainty and adapting to changing organizational dynamics in the age of AI and robotics.
“Things change so fast now. Leaders must be able to pivot, acquire new knowledge quickly, and build teams that deliver value in completely new ways. Schools like COTRUGLI have to help us navigate that uncertainty.”

His View of Leadership

Authenticity and trust are at the core of Matis’s leadership philosophy.
“A successful leader builds trust and inspires people to follow a vision. But also, they help their people grow without pushing them to burnout. Balance matters. A leader should create an environment where teams are motivated and challenged, but also supported.”

Advice to Future Students

Matis has no hesitation when asked what he would say to someone considering an MBA:
“The answer is yes. The only question is when. For me, it was invaluable because I already had work experience and concrete challenges I could bring into the classroom. That made the learning real. My MBA gave me three things: the permission to do business, the skills to succeed, and the ability to connect with the right people.”