CEIBS Global EMBA 2023 alumna & Roland Berger partner shares leadership growth journey, winning awards & 5 overseas modules. Ideal for executives.
Tags:For Kathy Jiang, Global EMBA 2023 alumna and a partner at the global consultancy firm Roland Berger, leadership has always been about people.
In a role that spans client relationship management, project guidance, and thought leadership development, Kathy spends much of her time helping others succeed. Yet it was during her Global EMBA (GEMBA) journey at CEIBS that she discovered a deeper understanding of herself, and a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of helping others grow.
A recipient of both the Outstanding Student Award and the Academic Award upon graduating earlier this year, Kathy's accomplishments are impressive. But ask her what she values most about her GEMBA experience, and her answer is immediate: the personal growth she and her classmates experienced.
01
Discovering the Person Behind the Executive
One of Kathy's most memorable experiences came during the GLobal EMBA (GEMBA) programme's opening leadership module:
"Immediately, I knew this was going to provoke real change in me and the rest of the cohort," she recalls. "We were encouraged to disclose our real fears, our true feelings about our strengths and weaknesses as a leader, which we addressed through coaching and personal reflection. This is simply not possible in your daily work; in executive roles you are shouldering a lot of responsibility and it's easy to lose sight of yourself when you are wrapped up in the many tasks ahead of you."
For an accomplished consulting leader accustomed to managing daily complexity and delivering results, the experience provided a rare opportunity for introspection. It challenged Kathy to reconnect with aspects of herself that had been overshadowed by the demands of leadership. That process of self-discovery continued throughout the programme, particularly during the mid-term leadership module.
"There was a phrase one of the professors used that really spoke to me: See others, see within," she says. "It felt almost like magic; I could see how everyone was growing together. There was such a difference from where we all started – those who might have been overconfident were now humbler and more self-aware. Those who were timid had become brave, eager to participate and share more openly."
Kathy recognised similar changes within herself.
"I became much more conscious of others, their capabilities, and how much I needed them to produce the best possible business outcomes. Before, I was overly reliant on myself."
The most important lesson Kathy took back to Roland Berger was that leadership is not about having all the answers at your fingertips; it is about creating the right conditions for success. By increasing her capacity to listen, observe and reflect, she feels she is a more capable leader and consultant.
02
Embracing Every Opportunity to Learn
Kathy's approach to GEMBA was characterised by wholehearted participation – she viewed every interaction, within the classroom and without, as another chance to learn from and connect with her peers.
During her studies, Kathy attended five overseas modules – among the highest number in her cohort – determined to maximise every learning opportunity available. At the very top of her list of memorable and meaningful GEMBA moments was the overseas module to Japan and South Korea.
"I gained a totally different perspective on their business cultures and current prospects," she says. "This goes far beyond overly simplistic narratives about Japan's 'Lost 30 Years' or South Korea's demographic challenges – that’s only one part of their larger story."
Through company visits and direct engagement with local business leaders, Kathy gained a richer understanding of the real strengths underpinning both economies, and the implications for China's future development in relation to its regional partners and competitors.
"It was a module that was absolutely full of 'wow moments'," Kathy shares. "One that remains uppermost in my mind was the company visit to Marubeni HQ. In his speech, the CEO Masayuki Omoto brought the corporation’s global strategy to life, outlining how Marubeni’s organisational structure grants them the agility and risk-hedging capabilities they need to scale when and where they need. Without being there and listening to him in the room, the words and their lessons would not have had nearly the same weight."
Kathy’s enthusiasm extended beyond international modules and into the classroom itself. Before joining GEMBA, some colleagues had warned her not to expect too much academically from an EMBA programme. Instead, she found herself immersed in rigorous discussions that challenged both her technical knowledge and leadership assumptions.
"They told me it would mostly be about networking," she recalls. "That wasn't the case at all. The lectures and classroom debates were the pillars of learning but we built on that together after class through more informal discussions. That was essential because it allowed us to approach business problems from different angles."
Kathy credits the CEIBS faculty with creating an environment where every participant felt encouraged to contribute.
"I felt at home in the classroom. It was shaped by tolerance and inclusiveness. The professors created an atmosphere where people felt confident sharing their views and asking meaningful questions," she says.
That mindset of active participation ultimately contributed to her recognition as one of her cohort’s most academically outstanding graduates. However, Kathy characteristically underplays the achievement:
"Before I joined the programme, my mother told me to stay humble. She rightly said that GEMBA brings together some of the world's best professionals, so I should enter with the attitude that I can learn from everyone," she shares.
03
The Power of Friendship and Community
While academic achievement was important, what matters most to Kathy from her studies at CEIBS was something far more personal.
"My most meaningful achievement was making good friends," she says with a smile. "I love them. These are people I will be friends with for life."
The bonds she has formed with her classmates have extended well beyond the classroom. Shared lunches, yoga sessions, social gatherings and even off-road driving adventures became opportunities to deepen relationships and learn from one another.
"My advice is to integrate into the GEMBA social scene as quickly as you can," she says. "It's not separate from the academic side of the programme – it informs and enhances it. If you come with an open heart as well as an open mind, you will learn more from the very special people who share the journey with you."
04
Championing Female Leadership
In the same spirit of creating conditions for others to succeed, Kathy is a committed advocate for supporting female leadership. Within Roland Berger, she hosts a series of coffee chats designed to create space for honest conversations between women about career development and leadership challenges.
Her commitment is informed both by her professional experiences and by the many accomplished women she encounters in business.
"About half of my clients are female leaders," she says. "There is a frequent assumption that men still dominate much of the business world, but that hasn't been my experience."
To foster deeper conversations, Kathy began inviting small groups of female clients to informal afternoon tea gatherings. The discussions covered everything from leadership challenges and career progression to work-life balance and personal aspirations.
"After six sessions, I realised I was gaining as much value from the conversations as the female leaders I invited," she says.
Many participants spoke candidly about navigating male-dominated teams, balancing professional ambition with family responsibilities, and managing the expectations placed upon women in leadership positions. Those conversations led Kathy to an important conclusion.
"Nobody can be a perfect leader. You cannot have it all," she says. "So don't aim for perfection. Learn to prioritise and play to your strengths."
This is a philosophy she hopes to continue sharing both within her organisation and throughout the CEIBS community.
05
Never Say Goodbye – Say Hello to the Next Chapter
"In many ways, I don't consider the GEMBA journey to have ended," Kathy says. "It's just starting."
Though she is a newly minted graduate, already Kathy is busily strengthening connections across the CEIBS network. As one of seven core members of the GEMBA Interschool Club, she recently helped organise an event with Zhejiang University that brought together students and alumni from both institutions for lectures and knowledge-sharing activities. She and her fellow members use their impressive range of experience (spanning healthcare, international trade, entrepreneurship, strategy, advanced tech and more) to connect with an expanding network of students and alumni from top business schools worldwide.
Kathy also hosts regular gatherings for CEIBS community members working in consumer and retail industries, bringing professionals together every two months for informal discussions at local teahouses. These initiatives reflect Kathy’s belief that the value of GEMBA continues to grow long after graduation.
"The friendships will endure and grow," she says. "I'm happy to be part of that experience and help organise it so that our community becomes stronger and more diverse."
Looking back on her journey, Kathy's story is ultimately one of growth – not only personal growth, but collective growth. Through GEMBA, she learned to listen more deeply, lead more collaboratively, and appreciate the extraordinary potential that emerges when talented people come together, eager to learn from one another.
Recommended Reading
CEIBS Global EMBA alumnus Philip Lau named to Poets & Quants’ 2026 Best & Brightest EMBA List |
Building "brand gravity" – Jacquelien Postigo Brussee on leadership and growth in China |
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