Each week, JWMI profiles students and alumni in its new featured series “Winning Voices.” Learn about our diverse community and what sets our program apart from those who have experienced it. For more great “Winning Voices” content, click here.
Gloria Gallo
Commercial Program Manager/Product Manager
Avionica, LLC
Program/Concentration: Jack Welch MBA
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AT Avionica, LLC.
I am responsible for digital marketing, digital strategy, and overall commercial operations framework. This is a new position that was announced in December 2020, and I am very excited to create and foster initiatives that focus on value creation and customer-centric.
Previously, I was the Lead R&D Program Manager for the retrofit market at GE Aviation. I was responsible for schedules, budgets, and executive reporting.
Why were you looking to get an MBA?
I was an engineer with a Master’s degree in Engineering and a PMP Certification; however, I feel that the lack of a business foundation limited my growth. Additionally, I have a growing desire to understand more about the strategy and business. I attended an orientation Q&A, and I fell in love with the Jack Welch MBA program.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
I credit the Jack Welch MBA and my Capstone class, which helped me enormously reinvent my career. Because of it, I was considered for and earned a new, more commercial role in my organization.
I credit the Jack Welch MBA and my Capstone class, which helped me enormously reinvent my career. Because of it, I was considered for and earned a new, more commercial role in my organization.
Did you find the curriculum immediately applicable?
Yes. It was. I believe JWMI’s success is to provide a REAL MBA experience for the new digital business world, and for me, this was obvious and clear during my last two MBA courses (Capstone and New Business Ventures & Entrepreneurship). I felt like a “REAL” business leader, and I started to act like one at work.
What’s been your most rewarding experience in the program?
I felt that I did not have the tools or the skills to succeed, so it was challenging to be confident; I doubted my abilities and my communication abilities. But now, I can express my opinions confidently as they are based on the business concepts, tools, and theories proven by many successful CEOs and business leaders. JWMI’s promise that we can sit at any business table and succeed is real!
Looking back at what you thought about an online program when you first embarked, what was your overall impression now? Did it meet your expectations via DQ boards, EOP videos, faculty etc?:
English is not my first language, and my overall initial impression was both overwhelmed and scared. But even with this fear, I was very excited to start the program. I was assigned a writing coach, Camila, who supported me through my journey. This is a great benefit to the program as it helped me improve my English writing skills.
I was in awe throughout my MBA journey. I strived to do my best at all times, and I made a conscious decision always to be curious and in a state of wonder about the lessons I was learning. This mind-set helped me gain new insights.
How did you navigate school, family, and work? What strategies did you implement to get it done?
It is easier to succeed if you are genuinely committed to the process. And committed means you have a burning desire to get it done, and you are willing to make it happen. To keep the burning desire, I pushed myself each quarter to read posts and materials with WONDER and CURIOSITY. I challenged my initial way of thinking.
You need a “contract” with your family; they need to be on-board, so they don’t feel left behind and resentful; in the end, you are sacrificing time with them. But that sacrifice is in part for them. When they see you grow and excel in your career because of what you are learning, it is all worth it!
WAS THERE A PARTICULAR PROFESSOR OR MEMBER OF THE STAFF THAT YOU FELT HELPED YOU TO EXCEL? PLEASE ELABORATE.:
There are great professors in the program, and I am immensely thankful to the ones below:
- David Taylor (Business Communications & Executive Presence). Because of my technical background, I was very technical in my communications approach. Professor Taylor provided guidance and the confidence that allowed me to understand how business leaders communicate. He is an inspiration.
- Bruce A. Smith (Capstone)—Professor Smith showed me that you don’t have the luxury to look for comfortability; if you want to edge out the competition, you need to push yourself and continuously refresh your business views.
- Richard Chua (Operational Excellence) is a Subject Matter Expert in Operations Management. It was a blessing to learn from him and receive feedback. It helped me understand that as a leader in your organization, you need to look for operational excellence that brings more value.
Please share any advice for new students embarking on the MBA journey.
The Jack Welch MBA program offers plenty of tools and support to be successful. You decide how much you want to get out of it. If you push yourself, I promise you that you will have an incredible journey full of fulfillment and excitement. Read as many peer contributions as you can and provide insights to as many peers as possible. Both of these tasks will expand your business acumen and understanding.
Connect with Gloria Gallo on Linkedin
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