Personal development
22 May 2025

Who is the Hanken Executive MBA programme for? Meet the six EMBA personas

Who is the Hanken Executive MBA programme for? Meet the six EMBA personas

The Hanken Executive MBA is designed for ambitious professionals with diverse goals. Whether you’re refining your leadership skills, expanding your business knowledge, or building meaningful connections, the Hanken EMBA provides an internationally accredited education tailored to your aspirations.

1. The Growth Guru

The one who wants to master business development.

Growth Gurus are eager to sharpen their business acumen and develop the skills to create value in competitive environments. The Hanken EMBA equips participants to navigate change, drive innovation, and lead with confidence.

What Growth Gurus gain:

  • A deeper understanding of managing change and thriving across industries.
  • Practical tools to tackle future challenges in evolving business landscapes.

For Outi Waltari, Senior Transformation Consultant at Telia, the programme’s focus on corporate change was crucial: “Everything regarding corporate change was super relevant for me because I work in global transformation, so I work with massive change on a daily basis.”

Osmo Lahtinen, CEO at OV Lahtinen Oy, reflects on how the programme expanded his strategic vision: “The programme gave me skills to handle change in sales, finance, strategy, and leadership. I have started to see more opportunities and threats in different industries and businesses than I used to.”

 

The programme gave me skills to handle change in sales, finance, strategy, and leadership. I have started to see more opportunities and threats in different industries and businesses than I used to.

– Osmo Lahtinen, CEO at OV Lahtinen Oy 

2. The Pathfinder

The one who seeks personal growth and transformation.

Pathfinders thrive on pushing limits, embracing challenges, and growing both professionally and personally. The Hanken EMBA provides the tools to build resilience, gain clarity, and shape a purposeful career.

What Pathfinders gain:

  • Personal growth that enhances professional effectiveness.
  • Tools to embrace change and shape your future with confidence.
  • Clarity and direction for long-term career planning.

The programme is transformative, helping you gain personal growth that strengthens all areas of your life. As Katja Knuutinen, Head of Sales and Marketing at Foodservice, shares, “Juggling family, work, and studies for two and a half years has definitely improved my time management skills.” The tools you'll gain help you embrace change and shape your future with confidence, as you’ll learn to manage change, lead transformation, and take on new challenges.

Alumni like Osamah Al-Ogaili, Senior Manager at Metso, also highlight the profound impact of the programme, noting, “It gave me the feeling to be able to make a change in this world.” The Hanken EMBA helps you not only with career development but also in giving you clarity and a sense of purpose. Mari Haavisto, CEO and Founder at Sus+Com Agency, explains, “The Hanken EMBA programme is something you invest in yourself and in your future,” reinforcing the long-term value of the experience.

 

It gave me the feeling to be able to make a change in this world.

– Osamah Al-Ogaili, Senior Manager at Metso

 

Jussi Roine, CEO and Partner at North Advisors, says, “I would definitely recommend the Executive MBA. It will force you to reflect and think about what sort of career I am building for the future,” which is exactly what the programme aims to do: empower you to take control of your professional and personal journey.

Monika Liikamaa, Co-Founder and Chair at Enfuce Financial Services, reflects on her experience, stating, “The EMBA has supported my career development in many ways. During the programme, I got clarity in what I wanted to become.”

Are you ready to start your path toward personal and professional transformation? Explore more about how the Hanken EMBA can elevate your growth:

3. The Leadership Architect

The one who aspires to refine leadership skills.

Leadership Architects understand that leadership requires both strategy and empathy. The Hanken EMBA combines cutting-edge management theories with practical applications to help participants lead effectively and inspire others.

What Leadership Architects gain:

  • A deeper understanding of leadership theories and their practical application.
  • Tools to drive transformation and lead with purpose.

Alumni of the Hanken Executive MBA often highlight how the programme transformed their approach to leadership. Stefan Wiik, Vice President at Wärtsilä, shares, “The leadership modules were invaluable in my daily work. I learned different techniques and frameworks, and even used leadership and change management as the topic for my final EMBA thesis.”

    For Harry Sjögren, Sales Director at DNA, the programme helped refine his leadership approach: “The Hanken Executive MBA was key to developing my leadership skills. At first, I was skeptical about the academic theories, but I soon realised how they complemented my practical approach. The programme also taught me the importance of teamwork—listening, asking questions, and leveraging the skills of others.”

     

    The Hanken Executive MBA was key to developing my leadership skills.

    – Harry Sjögren, Sales Director at DNA

     

    Aki Temmes, Executive Vice President of UPM Fibres BA, adds, “The programme gave me a valuable overview of business management and leadership. It covers all the important aspects of being a successful business leader.”

    As Pertti Saarela, Executive Director at Helsingin Vieraskoti, states, “The Hanken Executive MBA is perfect for managers looking to take the next step. It boosts self-confidence and deepens your understanding of the processes crucial for effective leadership.”

    The Hanken Executive MBA prepares you to become the leader you’ve always wanted to be—confident, strategic, and ready to drive change.

    4. The Visionary Entrepreneur

    The one who dreams of building innovative businesses.

    Visionary Entrepreneurs are not just business leaders—they’re creators, innovators, and change-makers. The Hanken EMBA equips them with the skills to turn bold ideas into sustainable businesses.

    What Visionary Entrepreneurs gain:

    • An entrepreneurial mindset and resilience to turn ideas into reality.
    • Skills to identify opportunities and solve problems creatively.

    With modules like “Entrepreneurial Mindset,” “Sustainable Innovation,” and “An American Perspective on Entrepreneurship,” the programme helps entrepreneurs gain the skills and strategies needed to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape.

    For Monika Liikamaa, the Hanken Executive MBA helped her turn her ambitions into reality:

    “We had this exercise where we were supposed to choose different kinds of pictures that represent where we want to be in two to five years. In 2014, I wrote down that by 2016 I would become managing director and/or entrepreneur—and I was both!”

    Whether you’re launching a new venture, scaling your business, or exploring innovation, the Hanken EMBA supports entrepreneurs in creating meaningful impact.

    5. The Connector

    The one who values meaningful relationships and collaboration.

    Success in today’s interconnected world relies on collaboration and the power of a strong network. Connectors thrive on learning alongside peers from diverse industries and backgrounds, and the Hanken EMBA fosters this exchange.

    What Connectors gain:

    • A diverse, international network of peers and lifelong allies.
    • Fresh perspectives from different industries and cultures.
    • A collaborative environment that sparks meaningful relationships.

      Alumni consistently highlight how these connections enhanced their EMBA experience. For Katja Knuutinen, learning from peers with different industry insights was invaluable. “Too often in Finland, we aim to look only from our own box and from our own industry perspective. The value comes from learning from others,” she reflects. Similarly, Osamah Al-Ogaili, was struck by the bonds he formed during the programme. “I expected top-notch learning, but I didn’t expect the amazing cohort I studied with. After those couple of years, I can now call them friends.”

      The collaborative spirit of the EMBA group is another key highlight. Mari Haavisto, describes it as the most valuable aspect of her journey: “The EMBA group is the best thing I got from the Hanken EMBA. Everyone wanted to invest in their future and learn from each other. The spirit of our group was incredible.” For Harry Sjögren, the diversity of perspectives stood out. “Participants start to think wider. It was fascinating to understand different cultures and nationalities—we had 7 or 8 in our group,” he shares.

       

      The EMBA group is the best thing I got from the Hanken EMBA.

      – Mari Haavisto, CEO and Founder at Sus+Com Agency

       

      At the Hanken Executive MBA, these connections extend far beyond the classroom. The friendships and professional alliances formed during the programme become invaluable resources, offering fresh perspectives, new opportunities, and lasting collaboration.

      6. The Impact Maker

      The one who strives to create lasting value for their organisation.

      Impact Makers aim to drive meaningful change in their organisations. The Hanken EMBA is a win-win investment for professionals and their employers, providing participants with tools to enhance their leadership and deliver results.

      What Impact Makers gain:

      • Sharper decision-making skills and tools for real-world challenges.
      • Leadership and consultancy projects tailored to organisational needs.
      • Access to an influential network of business contacts.

        For alumni like Harry Sjögren, the programme offers clear benefits for both individuals and companies. “I am sure that by doing this programme, both the participant and the company will have a win-win situation,” he explains. Likewise, Katja Knuutinen, emphasises the collective advantage of enrolling multiple employees in the programme: “I would definitely encourage companies to send two or three people to this programme. It’s much more likely the organisation will take the change journey when they have more people bringing the message and starting the journey together.”

         

        I am sure that by doing this programme, both the participant and the company will have a win-win situation.

        – Harry Sjögren, Sales Director at DNA

         

        The Hanken Executive MBA is more than an investment in individual growth—it’s a transformative experience that enhances the performance and success of entire organisations.

        Conclusion

        The Hanken Executive MBA is more than a degree—it’s a transformative experience designed to empower individuals and their organisations. Whether you’re a Growth Guru, Pathfinder, Leadership Architect, Visionary Entrepreneur, Connector, or Impact Maker, the EMBA equips you with the tools, knowledge, and network to thrive.

        Are you ready to take the next step in your career and create lasting impact? Explore the Hanken EMBA programme and discover how it can transform your future:

         

        Read more about the Hanken EMBA

        Contact us for
        more information

        Image for Henrich Nyman
        Henrich Nyman
        Growth Area Director, Individual Renewal - Ph.D.
        +358 40 352 1481 henrich.nyman(a)hankensse.fi
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