In the midst of bustling Singapore, two professionals - Jenalyn Modesto from Manila and Quek Soo Teck from Singapore - stepped into the SMU MBA and EMBA programmes with very different backgrounds, yet similar ambitions: to expand their horizons, refine their leadership, and connect deeply with peers across industries and borders.
From Diplomacy to Healthcare: Soo Teck’s EMBA Journey
After a decade in Singapore’s Foreign Service, Soo Teck felt the pull to pivot toward healthcare management. But what drew him to SMU’s Executive MBA went beyond credentials.
“When people talk about MBA programmes, networking often comes up,” he reflects. “But true networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building genuine connections and learning from one another.”
In the EMBA cohort, Soo Teck found thought partners in senior professionals spanning finance, technology, healthcare, and more. Peer discussions became a laboratory for understanding different industries. “Our cohort included people with vastly different experiences. Listening to their approaches to challenges completely reshaped how I think about strategy and decision-making.”
Overseas segments amplified these insights. In New York, he witnessed the pace of American innovation at Salesforce. In Milan, he explored the Kering Group’s legacy of craftsmanship, observing firsthand how culture and tradition shape European business. These immersive experiences, combined with the cohort’s diversity, gave Soo Teck a truly global lens - one he now applies daily in healthcare strategy and operations.
[Soo Tek’s professional journey]
From Manila to Singapore: Jenalyn’s MBA Transformation
For Jenalyn, the SMU MBA represented an intentional leap. With experience in banking and her family business, she wanted to broaden both her entrepreneurial and financial expertise.
“I was intentional about every choice I made during the 15 months,” she says. “I wanted to make the most of every opportunity, from classrooms to networking, from corporate internships to community engagement.”
Her academic path pushed her beyond familiar terrain. Without prior coding experience, she took on modules in machine learning, learning Python and regression models while connecting technology to business strategy. “It was intense, but incredibly rewarding,” she recalls.
The programme’s experiential approach - group projects, case studies, and corporate internships - turned theoretical concepts into real-world skills. Jenalyn’s Business Development internship at a food tech company and subsequent role in a multi-family office in Abu Dhabi became springboards for career growth, allowing her to apply lessons from finance, entrepreneurship, and strategy in tangible ways.
[Jenalyn’s MBA Journey & Cohort]
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Both alumni emphasize that the value of SMU’s programmes extends far beyond lectures. Mentorship, networking, and industry exposure were central to their growth.
Jenalyn credits her mentors and peers for helping her navigate unfamiliar sectors and refine her decision-making. “I learned to see the story behind the numbers - the people, the impact, and the intention,” she says. “That mindset is invaluable in private wealth management.”
Soo Teck echoes this sentiment: “The overseas immersions, case discussions, and cohort interactions layered on each other. Each experience added depth to my understanding of leadership and cross-industry strategy.”
The programmes also offered moments of reflection. For Soo Teck, understanding the nuances of markets from the US to ASEAN changed the way he views global business.
For Jenalyn, stepping up to present during projects honed her confidence and communication skills, reinforcing the idea that leadership is built through action, not theory.
[Jenalyn’s participation in the Pasig Youth Entrepreneurship Summit held last October 20-22]
The Impact of the Ayala Postgraduate Scholarship
For Jenalyn, the Ayala Postgraduate Scholarship was a crucial enabler, providing the freedom to immerse herself fully in the programme. “It wasn’t just financial support,” she notes. “It was validation that I could take this leap and commit to growth. That confidence carried through every module and networking opportunity.”
Purposeful Leadership and Global Perspective
Both alumni converge on a shared takeaway: SMU’s programmes cultivate purposeful leadership. They leave equipped not just with tools, frameworks, and technical skills, but with the capacity to navigate complexity, build authentic networks, and approach challenges with curiosity and confidence.
“The MBA and EMBA are what you make them,” Jenalyn says. “Step in ready to challenge yourself, and the programme gives you the space, mentorship, and resources to transform.”
Soo Teck adds, “It’s about connecting with people and ideas that broaden your lens. SMU gave me access to perspectives I couldn’t get anywhere else.”
A Call to Future Leaders
For prospective students, the message is clear: an SMU MBA or EMBA is a holistic journey of exploration, growth, and connection. It’s for those who have built experience, who are ready to step into broader impact, and who seek to lead with purpose in a globally interconnected world.
Whether your path is public service, entrepreneurship, or corporate leadership, SMU offers the mentorship, global exposure, and hands-on experience to transform ambition into capability, and experience into influence.
To find out more, please contact:
- MBA: mba.admissions@smu.edu.sg
- EMBA: emba.admissions@smu.edu.sg
