My EMBA took me from manager to the boardroom—Here’s how

There are many reasons why ambitious mid-career professionals choose to pursue Executive MBAs (EMBAs) each year, with the program providing a potent combination of business acumen and leadership skills.

When Chris Tham decided to enroll in his EMBA degree, he hoped it would strengthen his financial literacy, particularly his ability to read and interpret reports. An experienced professional working in the agricultural business, Chris also hoped to gain relevant skills that would allow him to elevate into senior managerial positions.

The experience delivered more than that, however. Chris reflects on a significant mindset shift that he underwent throughout the program, one that helped him increase his impact at work and eventually led to a place in his company’s boardroom.

Why study an Executive MBA?

From Malaysia, Chris spent a considerable amount of his early career in Australia. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Monash University, he began working in construction and engineering before returning to Malaysia during the Covid pandemic and taking up a job in the agricultural sector.

Working for Greenyield Berhad, a manufacturer of agricultural products and services, Chris came to appreciate the importance of the agricultural business, both for society and the global economy.

While he had a largely technical background, he welcomed the opportunity to make an impact in his role as assistant general manager. But, he began considering an MBA degree after taking on more responsibilities, he explains.

“I started to realize that, to achieve my goals, I needed to be in the position where I can start making decisions.”

Chris’s motivations are representative of many applicants today. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, business school applicants are more likely to decide to study because they feel they lack skills to apply for or progress toward a specific level of job and scope of responsibilities, according to our 2026 Prospective Student Survey.

When choosing where to study, Chris felt the Executive MBA at the Asia School of Business (ASB) was a good and relevant fit. He appreciated the strong emphasis on practical-led ‘Action Learning’, and felt the curriculum rigor fit his career aspirations.

After pitching the degree to his employer, the board agreed to let Chris take time off to study. Spurred on by their support, he embarked on the program feeling hopeful that he would soon see some return on his time, energy, and financial investment.

But the payoff came quicker than expected.

Putting theory into practice with Action Learning

As an EMBA student, Chris worked hard to fully immerse himself in the degree, taking on around 25 hours of study each week alongside continuing in his role.

The ASB curriculum covers a wide range of subjects that are fundamental to managers and leaders, including system dynamics, operations management, and corporate ethics. Chris enjoyed having the chance to build up his knowledge. For example, he recalls initially struggling with negotiation exercises in class. Over time, however, he worked hard to develop his negotiation skills, turning the challenge into a valuable learning experience for several reasons, he says.

“It tested me, not just in character, but in how I communicate my goals.”

During his EMBA, Chris also gained opportunities to apply his knowledge through practical experiences via the school’s Action Learning initiatives. Taking part in ASB’s MIT Sloan Immersion program, a three-week immersion in the US, meant he could attend cutting-edge classes, collaborate with breakthrough researchers, and explore innovation hubs.

Similarly, the program’s capstone projects gave Chris the opportunity to participate directly in group-based business challenges, where an emphasis on problem-solving showed him how to tackle issues from multiple angles. This is something he has been applying directly in his work since, he explains.

“Now when I discuss things with my management and my subordinates, I try to not just listen to them, but to view things from a different lens,” he adds. By empathizing with their perspectives and appreciating the unique knowledge and expertise they bring, this has made him better at finding solutions.

From manager to board member: The EMBA journey

Shortly after enrolling in the ASB EMBA, the decision quickly began to have an impact on Chris’s career. After just four months, he was presented with a significant opportunity at his company when a personnel change left a gap above him that required filing immediately.

He was surprised when his employers told him he was the natural fit to become group general manager. They explained they’d observed growth in Chris since starting his EMBA, including demonstrating more effective decision-making and a more strategic mindset when approaching problems.

Taking on the new role, Chris immediately started to see the benefits of his studies. “I never expected that it would actually push me to be a more vocal person, and be able to look at things differently,” he says.

Later, as he approached the end of his degree, Chris was presented with yet another opportunity to make a significant leap in his career. This time, the firm offered him a chance to become a board member upon completion of his EMBA.

He had some doubts initially, recognizing the significant step up would be a challenge that would require him to put all the management expertise and leadership skills he’d learned during his EMBA into practice. However, conversations with peers in the ASB EMBA cohort reminded Chris of the importance of a growth mindset; highlighting that the new role would be an opportunity to continue the development journey he’d been on during his EMBA.

Now, having spent some time in the role, Chris says he has faced a variety of challenges which he has been able to meet head on. When dealing with board members and presenting key insights during stakeholder meetings, for example, he has relied on his new management and leadership expertise.

Now looking ahead in his role, Chris’s key objective is to develop a competitive supply chain management process that can strengthen not only the company but also the agricultural industry in Malaysia. It’s a job he feels prepared for, he says.

“I can confidently say that I am able to navigate this challenging environment that I am in, thanks to my EMBA program at ASB," he says.