MBA Class of 2025: ready to lead, ready to deliver
Earlier this July, our MBA graduates completed their final academic month at the University of Iowa and officially earned their degrees. This milestone marks not only the conclusion of an intense, international learning experience, but the beginning of a new chapter as business professionals and leaders. Equipped with solid business knowledge, hands-on experience, and a strong leadership mindset, they are now ready to take on new challenges and make a real impact across industries and markets.
As they step forward, they do so as part of the CIMBA family—a global, supportive network of alumni, professionals, and mentors committed to growth, excellence, and meaningful leadership.
Scroll down to read the reflections and next steps of this inspiring group of future leaders.
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially graduated with my MBA from the The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.
My time at CIMBA has been truly transformational. Returning to Paderno del Grappa—where I studied abroad in 2021—felt full circle in the best way. Over the past 10 months living in Italy, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from exceptional professors, collaborate with incredible classmates, and be supported by the amazing CIMBA staff. Each of them has had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally.
Thank you to Dr. Al H Ringleb and Cristina Turchet for welcoming me back to campus and for creating a culture rooted in growth, challenge, and leadership.
I also want to thank Molly Rapert. Your steady encouragement and belief in me gave me the confidence to take this step—I would not be here without it. You’ve been a mentor in every sense of the word, and I’m so grateful for the way you support your students, both in and far beyond the classroom. I’ll carry your encouragement with me for a long time.
I feel so lucky to have been part of such a unique program and look forward to bringing everything I’ve learned into the next chapter. This experience will undoubtedly shape how I lead, think, and care for others as I begin medical school.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this experience, I cannot wait for the journey ahead!
Emily Furlow | 2025 MBA Graduate
I’ve officially completed my part-time MBA at the The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, a truly enriching two-year journey that started in Northern Italy and ended in Iowa City.
Balancing a full-time job with a part-time MBA was a meaningful challenge that required strong time management and continuous motivation. These past two years were shaped by weekend courses, late-night study sessions, group projects, and countless lunches and dinners with a group of truly inspiring and supportive classmates.
The learning opportunities and constant exchange — with both professors and international peers — helped me grow not only professionally, but also personally. The friendships that were built during this period go far beyond the classroom.
Throughout this journey, I had the chance to deepen my knowledge in areas such as strategic marketing, customer analysis, IT management, human resources, accounting and finance, managerial economics, and more. I particularly appreciated the program’s strong focus on leadership and personal development, which played a key role in shaping my mindset and perspective.
Thank you to CIMBA, all the professors, the classmates, and everyone who supported me along the way and whose inspiration helped make this journey unforgettable.
Gabriele Buredau | 2025 MBA Graduate
Last week, I graduated with distinction from The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business through the CIMBA program.
I’m incredibly grateful for this experience. Thank you to my cohort, where we learned to collaborate and push each other to grow. Deep appreciation to the mentors and instructors who challenged me to lead with confidence: Dr. Al H Ringleb, Daniel Newton, Anastasiia Zgibneva, Cristina Turchet, Zach Linge, PhD, Jayme Ringleb, and Bruce Kline. A special thanks goes to the LIFE and Live2Influence programs, where we learned how to bring people together through impactful, heartfelt storytelling.
Leaving home for ten months wasn’t easy, but it was worth every second. I learned what it means to be an influential leader and to live authentically. Embracing the Italian lifestyle and culture was a true privilege. Veneto will always have a piece of my heart.
My biggest takeaway during this experience was how to speak up and lead with purpose and conviction. I’m excited to carry these lessons into my next chapter: law school.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and excited for the impact we’re ready to make.
Evelyn Sechrist | 2025 MBA Graduate
I’m thrilled to announce that I have officially graduated with my MBA at University of Iowa!
This milestone feels incredibly significant, and I’m proud of the dedication and hard work invested.
My gratitude goes to De’Longhi Group for their support, to my friends and family for unwavering encouragement, to CIMBA staff and professors for fostering such a dynamic and enriching international learning environment.
Last but not least, a huge thank you to my fantastic MBA classmates. Together we overcame every challenge, truly demonstrating the strength of a united group.
I’m genuinely excited to put this fresh knowledge and strategic mindset into practice. I look forward to embracing new challenges, contributing effectively to future ventures, and continuing to grow professionally.
Francesca Andolfatto | 2025 MBA Graduate
Proud to share a major milestone!
After two intense and rewarding years, I have officially graduated from the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa with my MBA!
Balancing full-time work during the week and classes on weekends wasn’t always easy—but it was incredibly worth it. Throughout this journey, I had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and sharpen my skills in areas like managerial economics, human resources, new venture development, global marketing strategies, production and operations, leadership, and personal development.
What made the experience even more meaningful were the people. I had the privilege to meet and learn alongside more than 20 brilliant classmates from around the world, whose diverse perspectives enriched every discussion and broadened my thinking in ways I’ll carry forward in both my personal and professional life.
A heartfelt thank you to all my peers, professors Daniel Newton, Molly Rapert, Erin Nelson, CIMBA, University of Iowa and the entire Tippie community for your support, inspiration, and encouragement.
Here’s to lifelong learning, new opportunities, and the road ahead
Marco Colladon | 2025 MBA Graduate
MBA, done!
Wrapped up my MBA through the CIMBA program with the The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.
It was demanding, intense – and absolutely worth it. From leadership challenges to strategic deep-dives, alongside people and perspectives from all over the world.
Thanks to the professors for their sharp guidance, to my classmates for the support and great moments, and to Körber Technologies for the opportunity to grow.
I learned a lot, grew even more. Now, ready for what’s next!
Alvise Ortolan | 2025 MBA Graduate
It takes 20 years to become an overnight success… This time, it took just two.”
That’s just a passage of the final speech I was honored to deliver at the closing dinner of our MBA journey. A line that speaks to the effort behind every turning point… and this one changed me deeply.
I’ve just completed my part-time MBA at the The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. It was a long, demanding, but beautiful journey. Two years of intense weekends, balancing the role of CEO at FlexSight, my family, and the decision to pause everything, twice a month for two years, to sit again in a classroom and grow. Not just professionally, but as a person.
In that speech, I talked about leadership, not as management, but as inspiration. “We don’t manage people. We lead them.” This was another passage in the speech. A true leader doesn’t see people as numbers, but as human beings to empower. I believe in this more than ever.
That same evening, I received one of the most meaningful recognitions of my life: being awarded as Best Student of the part-time MBA program for the class of 2025. A title I share with everyone who supported me, my brilliant classmates, my faculty mentors, my team at FlexSight, and above all my wife and daughter, who were always with me in every step of this journey.
Now it’s time to turn the page and start the next chapter. This degree is not a finish line, it’s a foundation. I’m leaving this experience richer in values, in perspective, in clarity. And with the awareness that real success is not found in a title or a grade, but in the ability to wake up each morning and say: “I’m well, I’m happy, and I’m ready to face this new day.” This is what I left to all the amazing people in the class that shared the experience with me, you are the people who are in charge of reshaping this world starting new careers as managers. Keep that in mind, we wanted it and we made it! Be proud of yourself and never stop dreaming big, this world needs you!
Ps. A special thanks goes at the whole family of CIMBA, who manages this program with professionality, inspiration and love.
Daniele Evangelista | 2025 MBA Graduate