Leveraging an MBA to create new opportunities

By Susan Petty

Creativity is a touchstone for Stewart Hendricks, EMBA 26. In his 15-year career he has worked in marketing and advertising, first at nonprofits then at large agencies like Ogilvy and iProspect, culminating in creating the first in-house agency for the global publisher, Hachette Book Group. But Stewart knows he can do more. He wants “to be creative at the level of influencing how an organization invests, how it positions its products and itself for the future. To do that, I need to be able to tap into different kinds of expertise—financial, operational—and to frame ideas and opportunities in the language used at the decision-makers’ table.” 

These were exactly the people I want to learn with."

Getting an MBA would be an organized way for Stewart to learn those languages and diversify his networks. He considered full-time MBA programs until he found out about executive MBA programs, where Stewart described being “floored and elated” when he met his cohort in the  Berkeley MBA for Executives program at an event for admitted students. “These were exactly the people I want to learn with: smart and down-to-earth. There was zero posturing,” he said. Just as important was their diversity of backgrounds, ranging from armed services veterans to a dozen people with doctorates, including engineers, physicians, a polymer chemist, and the owner of a veterinary hospital.

He went on to say, “More than half of my classmates are from other countries, mostly in Asia and Southeast Asia. As someone of mixed race and someone who lived outside of the U.S. as a child, I’m familiar with being ‘the other.’ I find myself talking with classmates (both from the States and abroad) about their experiences, discussing the differences in the learning systems we’ve grown up in, and remembering that the ‘American Way’ isn’t the only way to learn or be in the world. We all have so much to learn from each other.” 

He also is “thrilled” with the residency and block format of classes three days a week, once or twice a month. Even though he lives just off campus, Stewart is “eager to check into the hotel with my classmates on Wednesday. By Saturday afternoon, I am both tired and exhilarated.” Core classes like Financial Accounting are helping Stewart fill in knowledge gaps and make the connections between disciplines. He recently completed the first field immersion, Leadership Communications, where he got to meet members of the EMBA classes of 2024 and 2025. They warned the class of 2026 that there would be tears and friendships formed that weekend in Santa Cruz. And for Stewart, it was a “profound” experience. “In our small group work, I heard feedback that reinforced the value of authenticity, of being true to my own voice. My classmates expressed a wish to see more, even when presenting, of the things that make me ‘Me.” That discussion drew my attention to my straining to tamp myself down in pursuit of a certain ‘palatability’. I hadn’t been aware that I was doing that, and I’ve taken that to heart.”

Starting his MBA studies was just one of a series of significant life changes for Stewart in the past 12 months. A longtime New Yorker, he became a student again and moved to Berkeley. Now, resources like the Haas Alumni Network and Career Services are central to his “vigorous”  job search. Classmates and recent EMBA grads have passed on tips about how the companies Stewart is targeting structure the roles and type of work he is moving toward. “Creative businesses attract me, and my advertising experience has been tech-heavy, both in terms of who my enterprise clients were and having done a great deal of AdTech, data, and development work across organizations. Looking ahead, I want to be in a position to use these skills to drive creativity, transformation, and bottom-line results,” he said. 

He chose to work with Jamie Breen, who retired as assistant dean of MBA programs and continues to consult as a Career Services advisor, for her familiarity with EMBAs and her experience  in coaching executives. Their short-term goal is finding the right job; longer-term, they will explore growth opportunities. “I’ve never had anyone really invest in me as a mentor or coach. Having that is truly a valuable opportunity and such good fortune,” he said.

Living so close to campus, Stewart takes full advantage of the multitude of academic, athletic, and cultural opportunities at Cal. For Stewart, being on a real campus is an “undervalued asset,” even for EMBA students, and he is intent on keeping his classmates connected with what’s going on. If he has his way, that will include the Cal Club Soccer team’s schedule. Stewart has been playing soccer—or football as he knew it when he started playing at age 5—most of his life, and he is eager to try out for the team. “In my career and on the pitch, I want to stay on the front foot, playing at the highest level that I can.” Learn about the Berkeley MBA for Executives program

Posted on October 24, 2024
Susan Petty
Susan is Director of Admissions for the Berkeley MBA for Executives Program. She has nearly twenty years of experience in marketing and advertising, having worked in several different industries including technology, travel, healthcare -- and many others from her media planning days at J. Walter Thompson where her clients included Chevron, Kaiser Permanente, Nestle, and Ford. She enjoys advising prospective students and guiding them through their personal MBA experience.