From intern to leader: An inspirational MBA journey
When a chance encounter with an IMD alumnus sparked a young Brazilian intern’s curiosity, it set in motion a decade-long journey of ambition, resilience, and reinvention. What began as a dream became a transformational experience that reshaped not only his career trajectory but his very definition of leadership and success. In this candid Q&A, Arthur De Bonis shares how the IMD MBA empowered him to shift from operational roles to strategic global leadership, embrace personal growth, and lead with purpose across borders and industries.
Where are you from, and what was one defining moment in your life?
I’m Brazilian, and a defining moment in my life was when I first heard about IMD. It was back in 2012, at the very beginning of my career. I was an intern when a senior director walked into a meeting room holding an IMD notebook, sharing his experience in a one-week executive program sponsored by our company. That moment sparked my curiosity.
I started researching IMD and realized how powerful high-quality, practical education could be. At the time, I was working for Vale SA, the largest company in Brazil and the third largest globally in its sector by market cap. I noticed a clear pattern: all the top executives had top executive education on their CVs, and about half had done programs at IMD.
Coming from a country where over 99% of MBAs are purely theoretical, this opened my eyes. I didn’t fully know how impactful that experience could be, but deep down, I knew I wanted to be among the best.
It took 10 years of planning and resilience, but in 2023, I finally lived that dream and discovered the kind of transformation only a truly immersive MBA like IMD can deliver.
Before joining IMD, where did you see yourself going, and what role did the MBA play in helping you move towards that goal?
I wouldn’t say IMD confirmed my direction, it redefined it. It gave me clarity to pivot toward the path I truly wanted.
Before the MBA, I was a project manager in a boutique tech consultancy based in Angola, leading engagements in the public sector. My career was progressing, but the trajectory was heavily operational and technical. I aspired to something more strategic, but I lacked the tools and mindset to get there.
IMD gave me those tools and a safe space to test them. I learned to apply strategic frameworks in a hands-on environment, free of judgment. I also understood the value of an effective network. The more strategic the role, the less likely it is to be advertised. Knowing how to build and navigate that network has been essential.
How is the MBA impacting your current role? Can you implement your learnings from the year?
I was recruited on campus for a Global Business Manager role in the leadership program at Wipro, one of the world’s largest tech consulting firms. It allowed me to stay in Europe and rotate through areas like pre-sales, sales, delivery, and consulting.
But things evolved quickly. Less than a year later, I received an offer from one of the top pharmaceutical companies globally, Eli Lilly, where several IMD alumni, including some from my cohort, already worked, to return to Brazil as Associate Director for LATAM, leading transformation initiatives.
The exposure and strategic mindset I gained at IMD were instrumental in making this move. The MBA taught me to think more holistically and strategically, always oriented toward long-term impact and outcomes. To this day, I find myself applying business frameworks and drawing on the case discussions we had throughout the year to support my decision-making and structure complex problems.
My time at IMD also coincided with a pivotal moment in the rise of AI. It was a recurring theme in our debates, projects, and global business cases, and we even had the Minister of AI from the UAE speak directly to our cohort. Those insights were invaluable, especially now that I lead transformation initiatives at the intersection of healthcare and technology, a space increasingly shaped by AI.
Today, I work in a role that combines strategic thinking, digital innovation, and tangible human impact across Latin America and beyond.
Is there something different you wish you could have done during your time at IMD?
Yes. I wish I had engaged with my cohort earlier. In the beginning, I was more reserved and focused on academics and group work. The first three months at IMD were intense, and I didn’t manage my time effectively at first. It wasn’t until the MBAT in Paris that I truly started connecting with classmates on a deeper level.
Looking back, I would have embraced that interaction sooner and balanced my time better. That insight has stayed with me. Today, I make a conscious effort to build strong relationships early in every new environment.
Who were you before the MBA, and who are you now? What impact has the personal development element had on you?
Before IMD, I was a young executive with a solid professional trajectory, but a relatively narrow perspective, both in how I viewed business and how I understood my own goals. I was driven, but not yet intentional.
IMD challenged me not only intellectually but also personally. Through the Personal Development Elective (PDE) – which was optional at the time, but for me was transformational – I was able to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the values and purpose that truly matter. It helped me align who I am with the kind of leader I want to be.
I now approach decisions with a deeper awareness of their broader impact on people, on organizations, and myself. At IMD, I didn’t just grow professionally. I redefined what success means to me, and who I want to be while achieving it.
What is your favorite memory of your year at IMD?
That’s a tough one. On the academic side, the Discovery Trips to Singapore and Dubai were unforgettable, a true immersion into global business ecosystems. On the personal side, attending the Montreux Jazz Festival was an iconic Swiss moment I’ll never forget.
Anything else you would like to share with potential applicants?
Just go for it. Yes, there will be doubts. Yes, it’s intense. But the IMD MBA was one of the most transformative years of my life, intellectually, professionally, and personally. If you’re looking for a program that will challenge you beyond your limits, that will force you to grow, stretch, and reflect, IMD is the place.
You’ll gain more than just knowledge. You’ll find a global community, a deeper sense of purpose, and the ability to lead in complex, ever-changing environments. This isn’t just about earning an MBA, it’s about reshaping who you are, what you stand for, and the kind of legacy you want to leave.
