The Executive MBA Program provides confidence – to lead and cross sectors

Regina Brayboy, Executive MBA ’09, knew she was going to ascend to the senior level at an organization – she just didn’t know where.

Brayboy, originally from the Northern Neck of Virginia, was always involved in the community, serving on boards and volunteering where she was needed. She realized that, in order to get that senior position and contribute in a more meaningful way, she needed an edge – one that an MBA degree could offer.

“I knew I wanted to be in a senior leadership position, to make a difference and add value,” Brayboy says.

As Brayboy’s term on the board of a public media organization was ending, she was recruited to be its Chief Operating Officer.  Her work on the board and as COO put her in contact with many local industry leaders, across a variety of sectors. It was one of those connections that gave Brayboy the opportunity she was looking for.

Brayboy would go on to work as Director of Financial Services at Virginia International Terminals after being recruited by the CEO for the position.

Although she had already earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, she decided to pursue the Executive MBA Program at the College of William and Mary to expand her business acumen.

“Prior to VIT, I had always worked in the non-profit or in the public sector” she says.  “I felt it was time to go back and reorient towards the private sector and in this respect I knew an MBA would add value.”

Brayboy discovered a few great qualities about the program which contributed to her decision to pursue the executive-style program, including the cohort-based format, the length of the program, and the opportunity to network with individuals at similar positions in their career.

“As somebody that was a slightly older student,” says Brayboy, “I wanted to work with people with some professional time under their belt.”

Describing herself as a “perpetual student”, Brayboy stepped into unchartered territory with the EMBA program despite having received numerous warnings about the rigor of the program from colleagues and already having a pretty demanding professional schedule.

“It was very surprising [to see] how challenging it was,” she recalls, “With the sheer volume of work, you realize how much you have to reorganize your life. It’s the point of no return.”

Brayboy quickly adds that the experience was one of the best of her life and unique to only those who have experienced it.

“We all look at each other now and compliment each other by saying, ‘you look really great!,’” laughs Brayboy, “because we all look really bad during the program.”

Brayboy still keeps in touch with many members of her study group, a key support component for Executive MBA students.

“We were all individuals from different backgrounds, but we jelled really well together,” says Brayboy, “Now, I have colleagues all over the world that can help me with almost any challenge I encounter.”

In addition to her study group members, Brayboy credits the faculty for contributing to the overall program experience and being a consistent resource, even after graduation.

Approximately a  year after Brayboy completed the program, VIT reorganized its management structure. She was promoted to Vice President of Administration and Financial Services and credits the Executive MBA Program with providing the edge she was seeking.

“The MBA made me feel more confident, “she says, “I am able to look across a spectrum of business processes and bring a wider scope of subject matter knowledge and experiences to the table as a result of the MBA”.

Brayboy, confident that she has been armed with the tools to be successful in her new role, reflects on the program that got her there, the global network she acquired, and the unique memories that are only shared by a select group.

About the program, Brayboy concludes, “You learn a lot about yourself and what you are capable of doing,” she continues, “It will shift things. It is career and life-enhancing. Don’t underestimate the potential of the experience to transform you in a very definitive way.”