By Tuck Executive Education
15 November 2023
Today’s leaders are operating in an increasingly complex business environment that requires a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and the ability to quickly pivot, innovate, and implement strategies that drive real growth. Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business understands this imperative. Our Advanced Management Program (AMP) offered through Tuck Executive Education is a catalyst for senior leaders to expand their strategic horizons. We spoke with four recent alumni of the program to learn more about their career journeys and how AMP transformed their leadership expertise.
From the tech-savvy corridors of Samsung Display Co. in Seoul to the competitive arenas of USA Cycling, our alumni represent the multifaceted nature of leadership across industries. Below, four of our alumni reflect on AMP’s profound impact, from redefining problem-solving methodologies to navigating diverse teams, and from cultivating strategic mindsets to driving organizational performance.
“For leaders eager to enhance performance at an organizational or business unit level, AMP is the gateway to proactive advancement,” says Erika Lehman, AMP’23, CMO of USA Cycling.
The Tuck Advanced Management Program is not just an educational experience—it’s a pivotal career milestone that has empowered these leaders to reimagine their roles and redefine their industries. As we explore their insights, we invite you to consider how AMP could mark a turning point in your own leadership journey.
Mark your calendars: the next session of AMP will take place from July 14–26, 2024 in beautiful Hanover, NH—a uniquely immersive location that offers participants the time and space to reflect on their leadership and organizational goals.
Hojung Lee, AMP’23
Vice President of Mobile Display Product Planning, Samsung Display Co.
Hometown: Seoul
“[AMP] has been instrumental in understanding a strategic mindset, organizational diversity, leadership, ESG strategies, and creativity—areas that were previously less accessible.”
ON THE TUCK EXPERIENCE
I can confidently state that the Tuck Advanced Management Program has enriched my experience significantly. Particularly, it has addressed engineering-based tasks inherent to the component business and, from a senior management perspective, has clarified the organizational operation, leadership, and problem-solving methodology. This understanding was fostered not only through theoretical learning but also through practical applications, guided by Tuck’s esteemed professors. Specifically, the Management Action Plan (MAP) allowed me to redefine ongoing challenges and systematically address them using the learned methodologies.
MY MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN (MAP)
The MAP, established over the two-week program, facilitated a systematic approach to our developmental needs. Although the items in the MAP may not provide immediate, comprehensive solutions, they represent incremental steps toward addressing larger issues. I have crafted practical steps to create success narratives, enhancing the MAP iteratively. Additionally, the organizational relationships and leadership methodologies learned at AMP have simplified the implementation of various MAP tools.
HOW AMP IMPACTED MY LEADERSHIP STYLE
AMP has broadened my perspective and equipped me with various methodologies to become an effective and influential leader, especially in the engineering sector. It has been instrumental in understanding a strategic mindset, organizational diversity, leadership, ESG strategies, and creativity—areas that were previously less accessible. AMP’s framework has provided insight into the diverse considerations necessary for strategic decision-making, which is crucial for a senior leader overseeing a team with varied roles.
Erika Lehman, AMP’23
Chief Marketing Officer, USA Cycling
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
“Upon returning, I was equipped with invaluable skills, tactics, and resources for driving innovation, enhancing performance, and actualizing strategic objectives.”
ON THE TUCK EXPERIENCE
AMP served as the perfect complement to my MBA from 2008, acting as a version 2.0 of my executive education. Entering the program, I was aware of the need to harness innovation to elevate our organization. Upon returning, I was equipped with invaluable skills, tactics, and resources for driving innovation, enhancing performance, and actualizing strategic objectives. Lectures by award-winning researcher and professor Ron Adner were especially impactful in assessing program viability and fostering strategic partnerships within the cycling ecosystem.
MY MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN (MAP)
My Management Action Plan (MAP) was centered on revitalizing a faltering business unit—a task that once seemed overwhelming. Throughout the program, I learned to segment the revival into manageable projects slated for completion over 18 to 24 months, with the first phase launching in November 2023.
HOW AMP IMPACTED MY LEADERSHIP STYLE
AMP was instrumental in reinforcing the significance of strategic leadership. It enlightened me on the necessity of steering clear from the minutiae and directing the organization towards strategic horizons—empowering my team to address performance while I explore new possibilities became a newfound directive.
MY ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE SENIOR LEADERS
For leaders eager to enhance performance at an organizational or business unit level, AMP is the gateway to proactive advancement. The program provides actionable strategies, problem-solving techniques, and a welcoming embrace of innovation, paired with unparalleled networking opportunities.
Brian Kuster, AMP’23
Southern Regional President, McCarthy Building Companies
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
“The collective wisdom of global business leaders can significantly enhance one’s effectiveness and engender lasting benefits for both the team and the broader business.”
ON THE TUCK EXPERIENCE
Having been immersed in the construction industry for two decades, the Tuck Advanced Management Program was a revelation, exposing me to a diverse array of thought leaders from various industries worldwide. This exposure broadened my perspective, allowing me to perceive my business challenges through a different lens, thus highlighting the value of diversity in thought.
MY MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN (MAP)
The Management Action Plan I developed at Tuck underwent a significant transformation. Initially focusing on tactical issues, discussions with faculty and peers shifted my focus toward strategic, big-picture challenges. This shift has fundamentally altered how I envision the company’s future and my development as a leader, with Tuck’s real-world applicable techniques having an immediate positive impact.
HOW AMP IMPACTED MY LEADERSHIP STYLE
The AMP experience prompted a reevaluation of my leadership role, emphasizing that the true measure of a leader is reflected in the success of their team. It fostered a strategic mindset that is attuned to the broader scope of our industry and the strategic positioning of our team for the future.
MY ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE SENIOR LEADERS
Prospective participants should anticipate a program that challenges existing paradigms and fosters profound insights. The collective wisdom of global business leaders can significantly enhance one’s effectiveness and engender lasting benefits for both the team and the broader business.
Michael Robbins, AMP’23
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Atlanta Humane Society
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
“The program’s strength lies in its fusion of timely, relevant content, expert instruction, and dynamic peer interaction, offering benefits that extend well beyond the classroom and into the essence of leadership and organizational impact.”
ON THE TUCK EXPERIENCE
The Tuck Advanced Management Program catalyzed a significant and enduring shift in my cognitive framework, reinforcing my focus and prompting critical evaluation in various domains. It provided pertinent insights across a spectrum of topics, proving its relevance irrespective of the subject matter.
MY MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN (MAP)
During AMP, my Management Action Plan (MAP) evolved in ways that synergized with my organization’s trajectory. Shortly after returning, I managed to advance several pivotal initiatives, attributing this progress to the methodologies and insights acquired through the program.
HOW AMP IMPACTED MY LEADERSHIP STYLE
The program enriched my understanding of contemporary leadership topics, offering a multifaceted learning environment. The diverse and accomplished cohort of peers provided a priceless perspective, broadening my comprehension of each subject’s challenges and opportunities.
MY ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE SENIOR LEADERS
Few executive education programs match Tuck’s Advanced Management Program in delivering substantive value. The program’s strength lies in its fusion of timely, relevant content, expert instruction, and dynamic peer interaction, offering benefits that extend well beyond the classroom and into the essence of leadership and organizational impact.
Learn more about the Advanced Management Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
