How An EMBA Helps You Build A Diverse Network

Growing up as an Italian in 1980s Germany, Tiziano Bombana enjoyed an early immersion in multiculturalism. It was an experience that would later forge his business success, he says.

“My upbringing gave me an understanding about interculturality, about how to make it across borders and cultures,” he says. 

With a natural interest in understanding people and building connections, Tiziano (pictured right) entered the field of marketing, going on to achieve success working with top clients such as Google and Adobe. He then landed a role as director of consulting and marketing technology at Cognizant, which is ranked in the global top 10 of IT business consulting firms.

As his career progressed, so did his ambitions. “I wanted to invest in my future and fully prepare for the challenges and dynamics of executive leadership.”

To achieve this, he recognized the need to acquire advanced consulting and technical skills, and to further expand his professional network. He concluded that an Executive MBA (EMBA) program would be the ideal way to gain both.

Why the HEC Paris EMBA?

During his search for a study destination, the HEC Paris EMBA emerged as the obvious choice to Tiziano for several reasons.

Firstly, the program is extremely flexible, with students able to learn through a variety of formats, including weekend classes and modules delivered in different global locations. 

This amenability was especially important for Tiziano, who needed to balance his demanding career in Germany with his academic pursuits.

The second reason was the school’s top position within several global business school rankings—including the QS EMBA ranking. The program’s prestige was a key selling point for Tiziano, who wanted to enhance his credibility and professional status. 

“It’s a highly regarded international program with a comprehensive curriculum,” he says. 

However, the third—and most important—factor was the high diversity of HEC Paris’ EMBA cohort. Composed of 78% international students, hailing from over 30 different countries, the course had the added benefit of exposing Tiziano to an amalgam of cultures and backgrounds which expanded his extensive international experience even further. 

“The network HEC Paris provides is incredibly valuable,” he adds.

How did you benefit from studying in a diverse classroom? 

The best kinds of classrooms are the ones that reflect the world outside—which is becoming increasingly multicultural. In fact, according to a GMAC survey, the ability to communicate across cultures is the most important skill a business grad can possess. 

Once on the HEC EMBA program, Tiziano had the opportunity to engage with members of his global cohort through collaborative exercises such as the Outdoor Leadership Seminar, which requires students to work in teams to solve a variety of challenges.   

In addition, the EMBA cohort’s diversity also lies in the wide range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience present among students, making it ideal for networking across industries and job functions. For example, he says learning about finance in emerging economies was particularly insightful.

Of course, an EMBA is not just about networking—it's also about advancing your technical and leadership skills. At HEC Paris, students study core business disciplines such as corporate finance, marketing strategy, and accounting, as well as participating in case studies and simulations that reflect real-world business challenges.

Additionally, students can also study specializations which include topics such as entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and leadership in global markets.

How do you use your EMBA network now? 

Serving as a director at a leading technology company, where networking is a core part of the role, the relationships Tiziano formed on his EMBA continue to have a significant impact on his professional journey.

While on the program, he was able to attend networking events such as career fairs, where students meet recruiters from top companies across the globe in order to gain valuable exposure to the international job market. 

The program also provides personalized career coaching sessions, helping students refine their career strategies and leadership styles with a range of coaches. Tiziano benefitted particularly from taking part in coaching sessions with a McKinsey senior partner, who offered him tailored advice and support. 

Plus, most of the important networking happens in the classroom itself, where students are exposed to world-class teachers and experienced professionals who keep in touch long after the program is over.

"The quality of teaching was great," Tiziano says. "Professors remain accessible and engaged long after the program ends; they connect, engage on LinkedIn, and maintain genuine interest in our professional journeys."

As Tiziano’s story shows, no matter where you are in your career, the benefits of developing a broad and professional network extend far beyond the EMBA classroom.