“A lot has changed in the 55 years since Philip Kotler, a Kellogg marketing professor widely considered the father of modern marketing, first published his ground-breaking textbook Marketing Management, which has become the most influential marketing textbook in the world. 55 years and sixteen editions later, he and co-author Alexander Chernev, also a Kellogg marketing professor, discuss how big data, social media, and purpose-driven branding are moving the field forward.” (https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/how-has-marketing-changed-over-the-past-half-century)

Kellogg School of Management, as many prefer to call it “a place where the science is born” is one of the top 3 business schools worldwide. The Executive Development Program is a lifechanging experience that will open your horizons, will definitely remodel you, touch upon the topics that you intuitively felt were important for the role, but relevant acknowledgement was missing, and prepare you to want to learn more.

The program covers all the much-needed topics for an executive to be efficient and successful in his/her role. As Mitchel Peterson, Corporate finance professor, wants to point out – when you start asking the right questions and your finance manager is wondering “how come”, you are on the right path.

Facing new challenges due to fast evolving innovations and new technologies, artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning, an executive of the future should be prepared to understand their values and efficiently use them, to adapt and support changes in the organization, and create strategies aligned with the new conditions. Today’s leader should be a leader with values, always, and in the toughest times to do the right thing and give his/her best аs the inspirational professor Harry Kraemer says, to be a great communicator, in and out organization, to be great negotiator and to successfully lead its team, discussed and practiced with professor Leigh Thompson.

When you start climbing the ladder to the highest managerial positions, soft skills become more and more important. One should really develop “antennas” and learn to successfully swim in the complex interpersonal relationships, as discussed in his lectures of masterful Richard Jolly. These are only a fragment from the rich program of lectures and exceptional professors that will leave a mark and make impact on your future. Kellogg’s EDP program director did an excellent job tailoring the program with the aim to include essential and present relevant topics taking into consideration the trends and influences that navigate the future.

What I personally value most is that many real cases were analyzed and discussed during lectures and in working groups.  Professors are very collaborative, open, and supportive in the process of bringing the topic closer and helping to find solutions for real issues in one’s professional and personal life.

Even though part of the lectures were held online, the dynamics and engagement were high, and always on point. A mixed format, online and in person, was very suitable for me. The time between the monthly class sessions was crucial to process and absorb what was learned, and necessary to prepare for the next sessions. Perfect conditions awaited us on campus – picturesque nature and lake Michigan, university town and Evanston. Furthermore, visits to Chicago enriched the experience and made it more memorable. The whole journey – the education provided and the open opportunities – is a blessing, my vision of how education should look like, and an education I sincerely wish for everyone.

I am truly thankful to Mr. Mike Zafirovski, Macedonia2025 co-founder, our scholarship sponsor, for believing that I am the right candidate to support. There isn’t a bigger acknowledgement for a professional than to be supported in the development and career progression. Many thanks to CaSys and my colleagues for the support, and to my closest family for the motivation and understanding during the whole journey.

Writing this testimonial, two months after the program, feeling ready for more, motivated with high enthusiasm, I have no doubts that applying for the scholarship was the right decision, which I highly recommend to all of you reading these paragraphs.