Católica-Lisbon SBE

Executive Education may begin in the classroom, but it rarely ends there. For some, it opens the door to a career change; for others, it provides new tools to tackle challenges that are already part of their daily work. Some seek to deepen their knowledge, while others want to gain the confidence to take the next step or see lifelong learning as a way to keep pace with a world in constant transformation.

Six students at Católica-Lisbon SBE | Executive Education began their programs with different expectations and goals. At the Diploma Award Ceremony, held on July 16 at Estufa Fria in Lisbon, they reflected on the experiences gained along the way and the ways in which Executive Education is already shaping their professional journeys. Different stories, united by a shared desire to keep growing and turn learning into new opportunities and challenges. For Cátia Fonseca, Product Manager at Leroy Merlin and a graduate of the Digital Product Management and AI program, the experience challenged the perception often associated with Executive Education that shorter programs may compromise the depth of learning. Throughout the program, she found "a very comprehensive and intensive program" that gave her "a great deal of knowledge, not only for myself but also for my company," and which she recommends to professionals who are beginning to develop or looking to strengthen their skills in the field. The availability of Professor André Albuquerque, the program director, was another aspect she particularly valued and that contributed to an experience she believes could be decisive for the next steps in her career. “Having Católica-Lisbon SBE's name on my résumé also helps the market perceive me as a better professional," she says, anticipating "a major new step in my career."

For Miguel Maciel, Head of International Business Unit at Fujitsu and a graduate of the Strategic Agribusiness Management program, the impact of the experience has translated into a change in direction. After a career in technology and management, he was looking to acquire the knowledge that would allow him to dedicate himself to his family's agricultural business. The program gave him "very important foundations" for this transition and, for that reason, he believes the experience "really marks a dividing line," representing "the beginning of a second phase" of his professional life.

The desire to continue learning takes on a different dimension in the journey of José Miguel Costa, Commercial Director and a graduate of the Innovation and Transformation in Insurance program. His relationship with Católica-Lisbon SBE began in 1995, and since then, he has returned to the School several times, finding in each learning experience new tools to keep pace with the evolution of the business world. From this experience, he comes away feeling "much better prepared for what lies ahead" and better equipped to "identify the challenges organizations face and understand where we want to take them." It is a relationship of trust built over decades, which he sums up simply: "It is because I have had these experiences that I always come back to Católica to take these programs."

For Francisca Martins, Staff Audit Financial Services at Ernst & Young and a graduate of the Postgraduate Program in Finance and Management Control, the experience also represented an opportunity for professional development in a demanding context that required her to balance different responsibilities. She describes the experience as "challenging, but very good" and recognizes the "added value" it brought to those already working in the field. Among the most memorable aspects, she highlights the atmosphere created among her classmates, which, in her words, was "the best part" of the experience. Despite the demands of balancing her studies with her professional activities and other responsibilities, she believes that this program “will always be an asset" for the future.

The impact of Executive Education on day-to-day professional life is particularly evident in the case of Daniela Cunha, Manager for Due Diligence – KYC Onboarding EMEA at BNP Paribas and a graduate of the Negotiation Specialization Program. Describing it as "a very positive learning experience," Daniela says the program "already influences my work every day," providing her with new tools to conduct negotiations with greater confidence and ensure that "my points are seen, are important, and are carried forward." João Maron, Electrical Engineer at Usenergy and a graduate of the Electricity Transaction Market and PPA program, also found in this experience his first opportunity to deepen his knowledge in an area that is increasingly relevant to the energy sector. The program allowed him to gain a better understanding of the role of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the context of the energy transition and sparked his interest in continuing to invest in this type of education, further developing skills that will be relevant to the challenges facing the sector in the future.

Six participants, six journeys, and different reasons to keep learning. From a career change and new responsibilities to the immediate application of newly acquired knowledge, their stories show different ways of turning learning into action. The diploma marks the end of one chapter, but for these professionals, it is above all the starting point for what comes next.