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The ɫ�����ֱ��’s Leeds School of Business has found its stride in the competitive landscape of graduate business education, thanks to its dynamic Executive MBA program—which just graduated its third cohort.

Designed for high-level professionals seeking transformational leadership development, the Executive MBA (EMBA) program continues to distinguish itself with a hybrid structure, world-class faculty, and a curriculum infused with relevance and rigor. The professional program complements the school’s long-standing and well regarded full-time and professional part-time MBA programs, offering a full suite of options for continuing students and busy professionals alike.

“Our Executive MBA students are already leaders,” said Tracee DeAntoni, senior program director for the Executive MBA at Leeds. “We have physicians, attorneys, scientists, CEOs and CISOs in the cohort—leaders learning from leaders.”

Purposeful design

The Leeds EMBA features a lockstep curriculum centered around three pillars: leadership, innovation and inclusion. Students progress together through foundational business topics and advanced courses drawn from Leeds’ other MBA programs.

“One key differentiator is that we’ve built a cohesive program with world-class faculty and select industry practitioners,” said Lori Seward, faculty director of MBA programs. “Other programs may rely on adjuncts or faculty from outside institutions, but most of the instruction comes from our Leeds faculty.”

The hybrid format combines online learning with three in-person residencies each year, including three weeklong sessions and a three-day orientation and second-year kick-off event. This structure allows working professionals to fully engage without sacrificing their careers.

“We reduce the cognitive load so students can focus on learning,” Seward said. “They don’t have to pick courses or manage complex schedules.”

Recognition and global reach

The Leeds EMBA has already achieved notable rankings, including #49 globally for employer reputation, #63 for career outcomes overall and #5 among U.S. public schools for career outcomes, according to the recently released .

“It’s exciting to be one of the youngest programs ranked globally—and the only new U.S. addition this year,” said Seward.

A caps the second year, offering students exposure to global markets and cross-cultural business leadership.

Tight-knit community, immediate impact

Each cohort includes a small number of students to foster connection and exceptional personal attention, and students remain in the same small study groups throughout the program. This cohort-based model at Leeds encourages collaboration, mentorship and alumni engagement.

“Alumni return regularly for events and mentoring,” DeAntoni said. “The community is one of our strongest assets.”

Students also see immediate benefits at work. “Whatever you're learning today in the classroom, you can apply tomorrow at work,” Seward said.

Signature experiences—like the Innovation Challenge—with real clients and a second-year pitch competition, offer hands-on leadership development. Executive coaching is also included, helping students clarify goals and pursue promotions or career pivots.

“We’ve seen students promoted during the program—sometimes earlier than expected,” Seward noted. “And our alumni network supports students in everything from how to survive school and work, navigating LinkedIn, to career advice.”

 “There’s a value in having people that aren’t in your day-to-day business that can provide some third-party feedback and can give you their experience ...”

Lauren McCabe (MBA’25)

Already a well-established leader among leaders, Lauren McCabe, a recent graduate from the Executive MBA program and awarded the EMBA Student Excellence Award by the faculty, acknowledges the value of refining some of the tools in her toolkit.

Throughout the EMBA program, having the opportunity to refine some of the tools in her toolkit was impactful, especially in the practice of highly focused, peer-evaluated presentations, which McCabe said is probably one of the strongest skills she’s taken away from the program.

“There’s a value in having people that aren’t in your day-to-day business that can provide some third-party feedback and can give you their experience, their exposure, how they may handle a situation that I might not have thought of because of my specific industry experience,” McCabe said.

Keep Exploring

• Second-year Executive MBA student Lauren McCabe describes her experience in the program.
• Learn more about the Leeds Executive MBA. Read program details >>
• Celebrate the Leeds MBA 60th anniversary. Join in the events >>