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Executive PhD Student Testimonials

See how accomplished professionals are advancing their careers and driving organizational impact through research in leadership, experience design and business analytics with Bentley’s Executive PhD Program. The program’s rigorous curriculum, collaborative community and research projects are helping them solve complex business challenges and create meaningful change within their organizations. 

Ike Okonkwo
Ike Okonkwo
Focus Area: Leadership
CFO, Granite City Electric Supply Company

"I chose the leadership focus area track in the Executive PhD program because I think that is where the greatest need lies in society. My advisor has provided me with such a wide and broad base that I can direct my naturally inquisitive nature to focus on things that are important. The one-on-one advisor model and being paired with faculty experts is unique to this program. Mine has been a fantastic steward. This program is a transformative experience and I have seen that first-hand."

Cynthia Fernandes
Cynthia Fernandes
Focus Area: Leadership
Director of Internal Audit, Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing)

"I did this program because I like to learn and always want to improve upon myself. The PhD rigor and discipline has helped not only to be a better people leader, but also independent contributor and thought leader in my approach. Approaching leadership from a business perspective is why I chose Bentley. My area of research (affordable housing) has traditionally been looked at from a sociological perspective. It’s time to bring in the business angle and move the issue forward. The Executive PhD program at Bentley is one of the best experiences that I've had. It has transformed the way that I think." 

Photo of Exec PhD Program Director Jill Brown
The thing that brings Bentley PhD students together is their curiosity and commitment to being life-long learners.
Jill Brown
Executive PhD Program Director
Scott Keaney
Scott Keaney
Focus Area: Experience Design
Cloud AI Activation Lead, Google

"In this emerging landscape of AI, the question is how we guide companies, establish boundaries and do the right thing. Getting a PhD in Business, with a focus in experience design, ensures an ability to look at policy, ethics and critical thinking in what can be considered the wild west. There is a new world being created around artificial intelligence and technology is emerging. I want to be at the forefront of that discussion. I find that already, I'm having different discussions with new stakeholders as a result of this program. I wanted a full-time experience, but since I work full time, I needed an accelerated path. The Bentley, part-time, hybrid program checked all the boxes." 

Read Scott's Research on Trust in Blockchains

 

Alexis McSweeney
Alexis McQueeney
Focus Area: Leadership
Associate Director of Operations Financial Planning & Analysis for Advanced Structures, Collins Aerospace, an RTX company

"I chose to pursue an executive PhD in business because it fit with my career plans and furthers my learning experience through data driven analysis. I decided to go the Executive PhD route because it fits with my life. The Executive PhD program allows me to learn how to research in an appropriate way for academic results. And, it also allows me to understand the foundational work that I can look at and reference for any type of question that might arise, whether for academic or industry purposes. My future career plan is to expand my company’s leadership development programs. And I can do that through the research that's done in this program, bringing it back to real world applications." 

Photo of Shardul Wartikar
Shardul Wartikar
Focus Area: Advanced Business Analytics
EVP, Global Solutions, Publicis Groupe

"In today's corporate world, there is a lot of "noise" about new things - business models, processes, technologies etc. And this creates confusion and a bias towards short termism. I joined Bentley's PhD program in Business to build my grounding in theory so that I can cut through the noise and build more strategic and durable recommendations for long-term business growth. The program has been brilliant. It balances theoretical training with practical applications, lots of reading alongside hands-on execution, sets challenging deadlines but in a supportive environment, and the professors are invested in our success."