DeGroote School of Business
Search McMaster Menu

Program Details

Developing Leaders in a Digital World

Organizations looking to respond to the challenges of our everyday world need to understand how technology impacts their operations and harness its transformative potential. They need leaders who can usher in a cultural shift toward embracing technology.   

The Executive MBA in Digital Transformation at the DeGroote School of Business equips you with the tools, resources, and knowledge to develop as an adaptive leader who can effectively address the challenges of a world increasingly disrupted by new technology and advancements.  

Over 14 months, you will develop skills help you stay ahead of the curve, including: 

  • A deep understanding of core EMBA topics such as finance, marketing, and strategy, as well as data literacy, data science, and business analytics. 
  • How to use data for insight development to make strategic decisions, mitigate risk, and drive business innovation.

Our curriculum is continuously evolving and features custom, integrated cases developed around current and emerging business and technology trends. You will be learning the most relevant and up-to-date information, immediately applicable to your role as a leader in your organization. 

Who You Are

You are an accomplished professional and aspire to become an exceptional leader who can navigate the rapidly evolving business landscape of our tech-driven age. You understand the significance of digital transformation and how it is currently affecting or will impact your job and industry.  

Being employed is not a requirement of the program, but most of our students maintain their full-time positions while they study. The program is structured to complement your current role, enabling you to study without disrupting your career. This way, you can apply your learning in real-time, making the most of your education. 

The Curriculum

We constantly update our curriculum to incorporate the latest business and technology trends, and our program features custom, integrated cases specifically designed for this purpose. 

Our class size is intentionally small and limited to a maximum of 25 participants. This intimate setting fosters a personalized educational experience, providing ample opportunities for active participation, collaboration, and meaningful connections with classmates, faculty, and industry experts. You will be encouraged to share your ideas, learn from others, and cultivate a network that extends beyond the program, creating lasting connections that will benefit you throughout your career

Foundations

The growth in volume, variety, and velocity of data, along with the emergence of new digitally driven innovations and technologies, present significant and unique opportunities and challenges for businesses. In Module 1 of our program, our primary goal is to provide you with a solid foundation in core management concepts, including accounting and finance, and teach you how to apply this knowledge. Through our curriculum, you will learn how to ask the right questions, improve your analytical skills, and effectively communicate and translate insights into actionable strategies. 

Location: Burlington and Toronto, Ontario

Executive MBA students will be introduced to foundational concepts in accounting and finance and will be presented the conceptual frameworks to guide critical and practical decisions in a digital context. The course will lead candidates through discussion and analysis of integrated materials, including financial statements, markets, value creation and destruction, and the nature of risk-management.

T714

Instructor: Arshad Ahmad and Kevin Veenstra

This course provides an overview of the art and science of extracting information from data. Beginning with the basic elements of data analysis, students will be exposed to real-world data and will work to harness the power of R for practical experience in the world of data modelling. Topics in this course will form the backbone of analytics used throughout the Executive MBA program.

T711

Instructor: Mahmut Parlar

Understanding the role that information systems have in an organization is key to supporting evidence-based management and operations. This course is designed to ensure that Executive MBA students are equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions involving these systems and better understand their strategic and transformative role across various business functions. Using a variety of learning approaches, including case studies, workshops, and a group consulting project, candidates will gain exposure first-hand to the opportunities and challenges facing businesses today.

T713

Instructor: Khaled Hassanein

This course introduces core principles of strategic marketing through experiential learning, ensuring that both newcomers to the field and seasoned marketers alike will gain fresh perspective and practical tools to apply in their work. Topics covered range from core marketing concepts through to analysis and decision-making skills, with the goal of ensuring Executive MBA students are better equipped to make data-driven, strategic decisions.

T712

Instructor: Manish Kacker

The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.

Instructor: Teal McAteer

Entrepreneurship & Marketing Analytics

In today’s business landscape, firms are leveraging the potential of digitally driven innovations, technologies, and Big Data/Data Analytics insights to create value and propel their growth.  

In this module, we explore how these factors are reshaping the field of marketing and creating new avenues for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to launch new business ventures. Through case studies and real-world examples, you will learn from and work with established firms, founders, start-ups, and industry professionals that are driving digital transformation and revolutionizing the industry. 

Location: Burlington and Toronto, Ontario

Increasingly, large corporations are reaching into start-up communities to build their innovation strategies based on the principles of how early-stage innovation is designed and delivered. Meanwhile, start-ups are moving away from a focus on big, front-end product design processes by applying Lean Startup principles to rapidly iterate minimum viable products. This course will take Executive MBAstudents on a high-level journey, learning how to apply these principles and methodologies – in an experiential setting with start-up partners – to become the next generation of entrepreneurs.

T721

Instructor: Michael Hartmann and Stuart Sherman

A world once dominated by “madmen” now belongs to the “mathmen.” This course is designed around the science behind getting the right message to the right customer at the right time in the right channel. Covering topics including predictive analytics, data visualization, big data, machine learning, and data mining, this course provides Executive MBA candidates with hands-on learning through site visits, case studies, and projects. Candidates will leave with the tools necessary not only to make informed, data-driven decisions, but they will also be able to visualize and communicate them in an effective way.

T722

Instructor: Paul Tedesco

This course provides evidence-based knowledge as the platform for aligning talent management policies and practices with an organization’s strategic priorities in a time when digital transformation is disrupting the way business and services are provided. Candidates will cover core topics in talent management and talent analytics, gaining a big picture appreciation of current analytics practices and applications. Leaders will walk away better equipped to “ask the right questions” of their talent management and data scientist teams, and contribute to building an inspired, agile workforce.

T731

Instructor: Rick Hackett

The role, responsibilities, and attributes of leaders have changed when it comes to innovation within an organization, particularly in large “legacy” organizations. This course will equip Executive MBA students with the tools to assess and overcome organizational barriers to innovation, specifically when that innovation has the potential to disrupt established models, practices, and norms. Candidates will be introduced to techniques like design thinking and its focus on user-centric insights, and will be challenged to think critically about current leadership and innovation models.

T734

Instructor: Michael Hartmann

The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.

Instructor: Teal McAteer

Under the guidance of the faculty instructor, supervisors and industry sponsors, students will work on a capstone project where they will apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. Students will gain tangible experiences and insights with the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of organizations. This will be accomplished by completing projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program. Students will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation, and digital strategies. Students will also gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork and stakeholder management.

T710

Instructor: Dean Foerter

Thinking & Leading Beyond the Bytes

In this module, you will dive into the leadership challenges of fostering direction, alignment, and commitment within a fast-paced technology partner ecosystem. Your critical “Big Data” mindset will be cultivated, to determine how and when to use data analytics to make informed talent management decisions. You will also apply other modes of inquiry, including Design Thinking, to encourage creative problem-solving and drive business innovation. As part of your Personal Effectiveness course, you will focus on practical communication skills and strategies. 

Location: Silicon Valley, California

This course questions and critiques the idea of “conventional” management thinking and evaluates the nature of the evidence on which managers base (or at least justify) their decisions. Topics covered include organizational culture and structure, leadership styles, cultural values, and ultimately decision-making. Executive MBA students will be challenged to view organizations from a different perspective and learn how one can best manage, lead, and develop the capacity to extrapolate meaning from experience.

T732

Instructor: David Hurst

Teams and organizations are reflections of their leaders, therefore understanding discretion and impact as a leader is a critical strategic asset. This course focuses on the characteristics and actions of leaders, and the strategic processes through which they shape organizational change and performance. Executive MBA students will analyze case studies, undergo a leadership assessment, and learn to craft and deliver a vision statement as part of a visionary leadership workshop.

T733

Instructor: Yair Berson

The role, responsibilities, and attributes of leaders have changed when it comes to innovation within an organization, particularly in large “legacy” organizations. This course will equip Executive MBA students with the tools to assess and overcome organizational barriers to innovation, specifically when that innovation has the potential to disrupt established models, practices, and norms. Candidates will be introduced to techniques like design thinking and its focus on user-centric insights, and will be challenged to think critically about current leadership and innovation models.

T734

Instructor: Michael Hartmann

The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.

Instructor: Leadership Coaching

Under the guidance of the faculty instructor, supervisors and industry sponsors, students will work on a capstone project where they will apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. Students will gain tangible experiences and insights with the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of organizations. This will be accomplished by completing projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program. Students will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation, and digital strategies. Students will also gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork and stakeholder management.

T710

Instructor: Dean Foerter

Value Disruption in the Digital Age

In this integrative module, you will synthesize concepts and content from previous modules and the program’s digital transformation themes. You will be equipped with the strategic knowledge and tools necessary to leverage your firm’s dynamic capabilities and partner ecosystem to create value. Faculty use industry cases to illustrate how businesses have both succeeded and failed in leveraging digitally driven innovations, technologies, and insights.   

This course will highlight timely and relevant topics in digital transformation. You will critically analyze innovation trends to adapt your organization’s strategy and decision-making activities to a constantly changing digital environment. Additionally, the team projects will culminate in a Capstone report and presentation, allowing you to apply what you have learned to a real digital transformation issue in a team context, providing tangible value to your organization. 

The Integrative Capstone Project culminates in this module, where you apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. You will complete projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program and gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation, and digital strategies. Capstone partner organizations include SickKids, Rogers, Canada Soccer, CIBC, and many more.

Location: Burlington and Toronto, Ontario

This course will enhance your capacity as an executive digital strategist, and will provide the knowledge and tools necessary for the development of a clear digital vision, and a cogent understanding of how an organization creates value for existing and potential customers. Focusing specifically on organizations in technology-intensive industries, Executive MBA students will strengthen their ability to make strategic decisions, and learn how to gain a competitive advantage by leveraging both digital and human assets.

T741

Instructor: Nick Bontis

Understanding the valuation of intangible assets is a key financial component of digital organizations. Executive MBA students will explore the strategic assumptions, theoretical underpinnings, and the practical applications of contemporary valuation theory, with the goal of evaluating company’s strategic position and its ability to adjust to new conditions.

T742

Instructor: Anna Danielova

Changing from year to year based on recent trends and Executive MBA student preferences, this course will introduce students to emerging issues drawn developing digital challenges and opportunities. Candidates will be prepared to adapt their organization’s strategy and decision-making activities to a continuously changing environment. Past topics have included: Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles and Blockchain.

T743

Instructor: Milena Head

The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.

Instructor: Teal McAteer

Under the guidance of the faculty instructor, supervisors and industry sponsors, students will work on a capstone project where they will apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. Students will gain tangible experiences and insights with the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of organizations. This will be accomplished by completing projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program. Students will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation, and digital strategies. Students will also gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork and stakeholder management.

T710

Instructor: Dean Foerter

 

The Fine Print

Here is what you need to know to help you make your decision about DeGroote’s EMBA program:  

  • 14 months in length 
  • It begins virtually every July and is built around four in-person residencies (one per module) 
  • Residencies take place in September, February, May, and September (dates are confirmed at the start of the program) 
  • Each residency in Burlington is 12 days long and is held at the Ron Joyce Centre in Burlington, Ontario 
  • The Silicon Valley residency, which is eight days long, takes place in May and is held in and around Palo Alto, California 
  • EMBA candidates participate in online work in between residencies (approximately 25-30 hours per week) 

Next Steps

Are you interested in the EMBA program? We encourage you to contact us. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest updates to our program, or if you are ready to start the process, let’s start the conversation by reviewing your experience.

Review My Experience

EMBA Course Calendar 2023-2024