Gabe Burke MBA 2009
For Gabe Burke, relationship is more important than location in corporate real estate, and relationships are among the most lasting benefits of the Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA Program. “Never underestimate the power of knowing people,” he says. “This program opens doors.” “I typically interact with clients at the C-level. Getting my MBA helped me understand issues from their point of view. It introduced me to facets of business that I had never encountered before.” “The opportunity for exposure to two business schools, with different strengths and two independent alumni networks really attracted me.” “Professor Paul Tiffany said something that really shifted how I thought about business. He talked about the disproportionate importance managers put on numbers and quantitative measures. He argued in favor of paying equal, if not more attention to the psychological and behavioral aspects. Applying that lesson on the job helps me understand people’s motives, challenges and desires.” “Now, I really understand relationships at a strategic level, how they operate and how to make them work.” “I gained a knowledge base from which I can have meaningful conversations with people in all areas of business.” “All of my Berkeley-Columbia classmates were extremely motivated. Everyone brought his or her own experience and expertise to the classroom, which meant that we all learned from each other as much as from the professor.” “I work on a global scale, so I appreciated the opportunity to get to know the business cultures in countries like India and China through getting to know classmates from those countries. And we are still in touch.” “With just 65 students, there is an intensity to the collaborations in the class, and to the relationships you form. You get to see all sides of people as you study and socialize together.” “As a board member of the Haas Alumni Network chapter in the South Bay, I know how engaged alumni are with the school and with each other. We hold a lot of substantive panel discussions, as well as social events.” “The mere idea of marrying two business schools with such different cultures and curriculums is innovative. And when the rubber hits the road, you really do get an education that is more than the sum of its parts.” [+] to top |
Senior Vice President, Corporate Advisory Group