Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation: skills and an international career with Bologna Business School.
4 May 2026Interview with Ronnie Rukundo, Finance and Banking Professional.
From the financial sector to a Global MBA: building a future-oriented career path
Sustainability and innovation are now cornerstones of every business. We interviewed Ronnie Rukundo, BBS alumnus of the Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation, to discuss the importance of education in his professional journey and how Bologna Business School’s program influenced his career.
After entering the insurance sector in 2014, where he built a solid foundation in financial products and customer-oriented services, Ronnie moved into banking in 2016: here, I strengthened my expertise in core financial services and developed a broader understanding of the economic system. However, in an increasingly global environment driven by innovation, the need to evolve further became clear, leading to the decision to pursue a Global MBA focused on sustainability and innovation.
Why choose the Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation at BBS
The decision to enroll in the Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation at Bologna Business School took shape thanks to a conversation with a mentor and BBS alumnus.
During our discussion, he encouraged me to think strategically about the next stage of my professional development and suggested the GMBA at Bologna Business School as a program that would align well with my ambitions. At the time, I was not familiar with the school, but his firsthand experience and confidence in the value of the program motivated me to explore it more deeply.
As I researched BBS, its strong digital presence and readily available online resources gave me a clear sense of the culture, values, and learning experience offered by the Global MBA. Through student stories, faculty insights, and program content shared online, I was able to visualize what studying at BBS would be like—particularly its international outlook, emphasis on practical learning, and collaborative environment.
This strategic dialogue led me to consider a path capable of combining professional growth, international vision, and future-oriented business skills.
This helped me feel confident that the program would not only enhance my technical and managerial skills but also broaden my global perspective.
Beyond the academic and professional considerations, the opportunity to live and study in Italy was a significant additional motivation. Bologna’s rich cultural heritage, combined with Italy’s renowned food, lifestyle, and climate, made the prospect of pursuing my MBA there especially appealing. The chance to immerse myself in a new culture while undertaking a rigorous global program felt like a unique and enriching experience—one that ultimately set Bologna Business School apart from other programs I considered.
A strong international orientation, the integration of innovation and sustainability, a practical and business-oriented approach, and direct connections with companies and real projects all led Ronnie to choose the BBS Global MBA.
An international and transformative MBA experience
One of the most significant aspects of the Global MBA is its multicultural dimension.
The most transformative aspect of my MBA experience was the deeply multicultural nature of the class and the intensity of collaboration required to deliver projects successfully. I worked alongside peers representing over 20 different countries, each bringing distinct cultural perspectives, professional backgrounds, and styles of communication. This diversity fundamentally changed how I approached teamwork and problem solving.
MBA projects were highly collaborative and often complex, requiring us to align quickly across differences in thinking, working styles, and expectations. Success was not about having the strongest individual ideas, but about listening actively, building trust, and integrating diverse viewpoints into coherent, actionable outcomes.
At times, this meant resolving misunderstandings, and learning to adapt my leadership and communication style to ensure that every voice was heard and valued. Through this process, I developed a much stronger appreciation for cultural intelligence and inclusive leadership.
Diversity, when managed effectively, becomes a competitive advantage—it leads to more creative solutions, stronger decisions, and better outcomes. It is an experience capable of transforming the way people collaborate and approach teamwork and leadership.
Business cases and real projects on innovation and sustainability
The Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation stands out for its strong focus on experiential learning. Students work on concrete projects that reflect real business challenges.
One project that stood out for me was a strategy and M&A case involving a sustaintech company seeking to expand its presence in Europe through acquisition.
Our team was tasked with identifying and evaluating potential acquisition targets that aligned with the company’s strategic objectives, long-term vision, and core values. Working in a group of six, we conducted market research, assessed strategic fit, and analyzed limited and sometimes ambiguous information—much like in a real corporate decision-making environment.
The outcome was a comprehensive acquisition write-up in which we synthesized our findings into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for senior management. The goal was to produce a practical document that the acquiring company could realistically use as part of its broader acquisition playbook.
An experience that combines innovation, sustainability, and strategic decision-making.
Developing a global mindset for sustainability
One of the main benefits of the Global MBA is the development of a global mindset. The program helps students understand how macroeconomic, geopolitical, and environmental factors influence business strategies.
The program helped me move beyond a primarily local or countryspecific perspective and develop a genuinely global mindset—one that accounts for the interconnectedness of economics, geopolitics, and corporate strategy. Through the curriculum and diverse classroom discussions, I gained a deeper understanding of how geopolitical developments, macroeconomic forces, and regional dynamics influence business outcomes. This has strengthened my ability to assess opportunities and risks across markets and to contribute more meaningfully to strategic conversations
Concrete career impact: new global opportunities
A particularly impactful experience was my sixmonth internship at Coesia S.p.A., a leading manufacturing group in Italy and a key business partner of Bologna Business School.
During this internship, I further refined my ability to synthesize large volumes of complex and often ambiguous information into clear, actionable insights. Working in a real corporate environment reinforced the analytical, strategic, and communication skills developed during the MBA and demonstrated their direct applicability in a global industrial context.
Overall, the Global MBA has expanded the scope of roles and environments in which I can confidently operate, positioning me for opportunities that require global exposure, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
Is it worth investing in an MBA in Sustainability and Innovation?
Choosing a Global MBA is an important decision that involves both investment and change. However, as this experience shows, it is precisely this path that enables real transformation, both professionally and personally.
My advice would be simple: go for it. As an alumnus, I understand that choosing to pursue a Global MBA comes with many layers of uncertainty—career direction, financial commitment, relocation, and the unknowns of returning to school. However, the only real way to understand the value of the experience is to take the step and commit to it.
Once you do, immerse yourself fully in the journey. Be open to learning, to new perspectives, and to experiences outside your comfort zone.
The Global MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development, and those who gain the most are those who truly engage with the process. Most importantly, enjoy the experience—it is both demanding and rewarding, and it has the potential to be genuinely transformative.
The Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation at Bologna Business School represents a strategic choice for the future. Thanks to its practical, international, and business-oriented approach, the program prepares professionals capable of leading the sustainable transformation of companies.
If your goal is to accelerate your career, acquire global skills, and become a driver of change, this is the right path for you.
