Dwight W. Holcomb is the host of the business television show, “SaaS CEO Success TV”. The show is set to air on the C-Suite TV Network which has global distribution in over 59 million households and more than 90 million views per month.

Dwight is the CEO of HC Development, providing MaaS CMO™ , Marketing as a Service with Executive oversight to the Software & Technology industry.  Dwight speaks Internationally as a Technology Futurist and on the topic of Sales & Marketing Innovation.

The Author of “The Lean CMO” and a serial entrepreneur, Dwight launched several start-up companies in very diverse industries.  He is the founding CEO of LifePet Organic, iBuyBaby.com and Millennium Entertainment, earning executive producing credit and pilot work with Robert Downey, Jr., Jon Lovitz and Russell Peters.  Committed to helping other executives to excel in business, Dwight sits on the Board of several privately held companies and is a founding member of the UCLA Anderson CEO Forum.

Earning an MBA from both UCLA Anderson School of Management and The National University of Singapore Business School, Dwight is a graduate of the UCLA-NUS Global Executive MBA program, ranked #3 in the world by the Economist.  He currently serves as President for the UCLA Anderson Alumni Network Board of Directors and is an Executive Committee Board Member for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Dwight earned a degree in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University while competing on ASU’s nationally ranked wrestling team under U.S. Olympic Coach, Bobby Douglass.  Dwight has over 20 years of global business & executive management experience, working with start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, such as Microsoft and AT&T.

Dwight is an avid wakeboarder & snow skier and enjoys traveling with his wife and two children.

Building Global Success Through Leadership and Innovation

How does one juggle a high-powered career, launch startups, and still find time for an MBA? For Dwight Holcomb, CEO of HC Development and host of “SaaS CEO Success TV,” the answer lies in leveraging every opportunity for growth and learning. Awed by such dynamic achievements, we had to interview our EMBA alumnus and get his secret to successful multitasking.

The Decision for an EMBA
The first question we wanted to know was, why return to school? Reflecting on his decision to pursue an EMBA, Holcomb shared, “I was the interim CEO of a privately held manufacturing company, looking to help the company enter the Asia business market. I wanted to gain credible education and experience by getting my MBA while still being able to work. Earning two globally recognised MBAs from two top-tier universities was very appealing to me.”

Holcomb joined the 7th intake of the UCLA-NUS EMBA program in 2010. The experience allowed him to immediately apply what he had learned to benefit his company and career trajectory. “During every aspect of the program, I was able to apply learning to the benefit of the company and to my personal standing,” he noted. It was a bold and wise decision that paid off, as he gained lifelong skills to navigate the next stage in his career.

Shaping Leadership Skills
Indeed, the UCLA-NUS EMBA program played a crucial role in shaping Holcomb’s leadership skills and mindset. “The program gave me the confidence, skills, and tools to successfully build and run a company. Areas where I was deficient, I gained the understanding needed to properly manage the teams that had direct expertise in these disciplines,” he explained.

Holcomb’s ability to explore global opportunities was significantly enhanced by the program. “Due to the global experiences, site visits, classmates, and network, I have expanded my confidence and ability to explore global opportunities that I would otherwise not have,” he said. He acknowledges that the knowledge and experience gained from the UCLA-NUS EMBA program was empowering. “The program gave me the education and experience to successfully launch two start-up companies and work within my alumni networks to find investment funding to help with one of the launches,” he shared.

The Power of Alumni Connections
Holcomb emphasizes the invaluable support and inspiration he has received from the alumni network. “These relationships are a valuable source of support and inspiration. The alumni network has been incredibly beneficial for me professionally. It has allowed me to collaborate on projects, seek advice, and explore new business ventures. This network’s shared experiences and connections have been instrumental in my career growth,” he explained.

True to his word, he also remains deeply engaged with the UCLA-NUS community, serving in various leadership roles post-graduation, including Class President, Chair of Development, Vice President, and President of the UCLA Anderson Alumni Board of Directors. He is also a defacto member of the UCLA Anderson Board of Advisors.

Lifelong Friendships and Professional Growth
One of Holcomb’s best takeaways from the program is the lifelong friendships and professional relationships he has formed. “The amazing life-long friendships from my class, the UCLA-NUS alumni, and the alumni of both universities from other programs have been the highlight of my experience,” he said.

His message to prospective students feeling stuck in their careers? Seize the opportunity and apply for the EMBA program. “Don’t think about it; run (don’t walk) to apply for the program that will certainly and profoundly impact your life and future. It is something you will never ever regret!” he urged.

As the UCLA-NUS EMBA program celebrates its 20th anniversary, Holcomb reflects on its evolution and continued relevance. “It is amazing how the program continues to evolve, adding additional cities for classes and growing to more than 500 alumni. It is hard to believe that we are now 20 years old as a program and to see the progress is heartening!” he observed.

Looking ahead, Holcomb envisions the program continuing to make a significant impact. “As the world continues to become smaller, I believe our program will become a very important part of developing global leaders with the skills, understanding, and experience to bring together a diverse set of professionals from any culture to create successful teams and businesses. UCLA-NUS is a much-needed beacon of light in a global storm of adversity and challenges,” he predicted.

Because of this, he enthuses: “I am honored to be a part of such a unique, diverse, talented, and giving group. My life has changed through this continued experience. My life is better because I am associated with the program and all of you. I cannot imagine where I would be today without having this experience, one of the fondest memories of my life, to be a part of this program and our alumni network!” Dwight Holcomb’s success story is a powerful reminder to potential candidates: if he can achieve this level of success, so can you. The program’s lasting impact proves that balancing multiple career aspirations is possible and incredibly rewarding with dedication and the right support.