Beyond the Degree: Alumni Share Lessons in Leadership and Life

On a vibrant and engaging evening at Pforzheim University, MBA students were given the unique opportunity to connect with distinguished alumni during the much-anticipated `Alumni Meet Current Students´ event. The session served as a powerful reminder of how far passion, adaptability, and strategic thinking can take graduates, both personally and professionally. Seven exceptional alumni from diverse industries and global backgrounds returned to share their stories, lessons, and journeys beyond the MBA classroom.

Jun Li – Global Communications, Daimler Truck AG
From Southeast China to Germany, Jun Li has carved an inspiring international path in the field of corporate communications. She started her professional life in Shanghai, which helped her clarify her long-term career aspirations.
Driven by a desire for growth and better opportunities, she relocated to Germany and embarked on a new chapter with Daimler Truck. At Daimler Truck, she has contributed significantly to internal communication strategies, including building the China branch, implementing AI-driven communication, social media governance, and managing change initiatives within the global communication function.
Her educational foundation at Pforzheim University, especially in finance and student-led projects, provided her with the analytical skills and cross-functional perspective needed for success in a dynamic, multinational environment. Jun emphasized the power of building one’s network, understanding cultural nuances, and staying adaptable in rapidly evolving communication landscapes. Jun’s key takeaway was to leverage international experiences to strengthen cultural intelligence and to see internal communications as a strategic, not just supportive, role. She emphasized the need to stay current with emerging tools such as AI in communications and to begin building one's professional network from the very start.

Sibi Othaloor – Project Manager, SEG Automotive
Sibi Othaloor's journey reflects the natural progression from student to leader. With a background in engineering and an early role at Bosch, Sibi joined the Pforzheim MBA program to broaden his horizons and enhance his managerial capabilities. His transition from a student project directly into a full-time role is a testament to how experiential learning within the MBA opens doors.
At SEG Automotive, Sibi is now responsible for leading projects and managing international teams, ensuring standardized processes for on-time delivery. He attributes much of his success to the diverse classroom environment, where exposure to multicultural viewpoints enhanced his decision-making and collaborative skills. He also praised the program’s electives, saying they offered strategic depth that complemented his technical background. Sibi's reflections emphasized the importance of real-world learning through student projects and how classroom diversity shapes global leadership. He spoke about leadership as a blend of empathy, process thinking, and peer collaboration. He particularly valued structured thinking and troubleshooting as essential tools for success.

Jessica Schröder – Team Lead, DAWG GmbH
Jessica Schröder, a 2017 graduate, offered a powerful reminder that impact is not measured by company size but by one’s contribution. 
Starting her career as a project lead in technical marketing, she has worked her way up to Team Lead at DAWG GmbH, a company working in the military sector. Her role coordinating all technical writers demands a high degree of accuracy, project ownership, and structured thinking.
Jessica’s time at Pforzheim helped her develop the strategic mindset and communication skills needed to thrive in this technical and highly regulated industry. She emphasized the value of seizing opportunities, even in smaller firms, where responsibilities often lead to greater visibility and leadership development. Jessica highlighted that working in smaller organizations can offer broader responsibilities and faster growth. She encouraged students to take initiative and approach roles with ownership, as career growth often comes from less traditional paths.

Adrita Chakraborty – Business Analyst, Texas Instruments
With a foundation in healthcare IT, Adrita Chakraborty began her career building information systems for hospitals and health insurance providers. Over time, she transitioned to her current role as a Business Analyst at Texas Instruments, working across verticals like supply chain, logistics, finance.
Adrita highlighted how the Pforzheim MBA gave her the tools to transition industries effectively. The program’s focus on quality education at a reasonable price, coupled with faculty support, gave her confidence and adaptability. She emphasized the importance of staying flexible and curious, particularly in rapidly evolving technology sectors. Adrita's experience illustrated how flexibility and curiosity can fuel cross-industry success. She advocated for investing in meaningful education and maintaining an open mindset to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

Oliver Gaess – Managing Director, Elementum Capital Partners
A member of the inaugural 1997 MBA batch, Oliver Gaess brought entrepreneurial energy and hard-earned wisdom to the session. As Managing Director at Elementum Capital Partners, he has spent decades in private equity, specializing in the buying and scaling of businesses. Oliver contrasted the difference between working as an employee versus being on the equity side: "Employees get part of the juice; equity owners scale the orchard."
He stressed the importance of consistency and grit, especially in unfamiliar situations. Oliver also encouraged students to cultivate AI proficiency, make decisions quickly, and protect their health and family along the journey. His no-nonsense advice: Strategy is only as good as your ability to execute it. Oliver's insights centered around embracing discomfort as a growth space. He stressed the value of perseverance and execution, suggesting that strategy is the easy part, but it's execution that makes the difference. He also advised staying focused on personal well-being and becoming proficient with emerging tools like AI to remain competitive.

Adriana Rotaru – Director of Product Management SAP Signavio Process Governance
Adriana Rotaru now thrives in Product Management at SAP, but her path has been anything but linear. Starting later than some of her peers, she entered the MBA with questions and a hunger to grow. Her key principle: Make a plan, then break it.
At SAP, Adriana draws on her ability to collaborate, communicate, and facilitate across interdisciplinary teams. Her time at Pforzheim taught her not just to follow directions but to challenge assumptions, ask better questions, and continuously improve. Her story is one of resilience, intentionality, and growth. Adriana encouraged future leaders to remain flexible in their plans and to continually ask the right questions. Her journey highlighted that success doesn't have to follow a conventional timeline, and that embracing change is often the path to genuine leadership.

Adela Maria Jiva – Commercial Executive CEE, Microsoft
Adela Maria Jiva brought a wealth of global perspective from her role at Microsoft and her background as a legal advisor in Romania. Today, she works as a Commercial Executive for the CEE region, responsible for managing high-value licensing and commercial strategy.
Adela shared how approaching business problems holistically, not in silos, creates more sustainable solutions. She emphasized the importance of understanding the value chain, asking strategic questions, and making data-driven decisions even when data is scarce. Her journey blended law, strategy, and cross-cultural insight into one compelling narrative. Adela underscored the importance of holistic problem-solving and understanding how each decision fits into the larger business system. She urged students to embrace complexity and make thoughtful decisions even in the face of uncertainty.

The MBA `Alumni Meet Current Students event´ was more than a reunion — it was a transformative exchange of wisdom across generations. Each story echoed a common truth: that learning never ends, and leadership is built through resilience, curiosity, and authenticity. Pforzheim University proudly celebrates its alumni not only for their global achievements but also for their willingness to return and inspire the graduates of tomorrow.

text: Avik Chakraborty, Fei Teng, MBA Class of 2026
photo: Fei Teng, Sejla Begic