Crossing Cultures, Expanding Perspective: Paromita Panda’s Story
“True growth comes from stepping out of the familiar, forging friendships across industries and continents, and seeing the bigger picture that drives meaningful transformation.” For Paromita Panda, these words capture the heart of her experience in the UCLA-NUS Global Executive MBA. With more than a decade in IT and a move into large scale transformation work, she wanted broader perspectives, deeper leadership capability, and the confidence to operate across cultures and industries.
I am a Senior Program Manager at Canon Europe where I lead large scale business and IT transformation programs across operations, compliance, supply chain, and technology delivery. My career began in 2006 with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering, and for more than a decade I built my expertise in the IT industry. I enjoyed the work and the challenge, but eventually I realized that I wanted to expand my perspective. I wanted to grow not only as a technical leader, but as a strategic thinker able to guide transformation on a much wider stage.
Living in Europe made me appreciate how important it is to learn from diverse markets and cultures. I wanted to step outside familiar ways of working and expose myself to completely new viewpoints. That is what led me to the UCLA-NUS Global Executive MBA. It blends the strengths of American boldness, Asian agility, and European structure in a way that mirrors the interconnected world we operate in today.
The format was intense. Every two months we gathered for two full weeks of immersive study, company visits, and deep discussions. Balancing these commitments with a demanding job and personal life was challenging, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. Those concentrated periods of learning gave me the space to reflect, to unlearn old habits, and to stretch myself in new directions.
The greatest value came from my classmates. They were CFOs, startup founders, bankers, engineering leaders, and marketing directors. They brought perspectives I never would have encountered within my own sector. Learning from their stories and their ways of thinking broadened my worldview, strengthened my adaptability, and helped me grow into a leader who can operate confidently beyond the familiar boundaries of IT.
When I graduated in 2018, I walked away with far more than a diploma. I gained a global mindset. I built friendships and professional connections that continue to support and inspire me. And today, at Canon Europe, I draw on the lessons from the program to shape transformation initiatives that are sustainable, future ready, and grounded in real world understanding.
For professionals in Europe who want to expand their reach and lead with cultural intelligence, this program offers a rare opportunity. It encourages you to step beyond regional habits and see the world through a much broader lens. It gives you the confidence to make decisions that account for many cultures and markets rather than just one.
Outside of work, I continue to explore the world through travel, dance, history, and culture. These passions, like the EMBA experience, enrich my leadership and keep my curiosity alive.
For Paromita, the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA was not only an academic program but a catalyst that broadened her perspective and strengthened her leadership. For professionals seeking to expand their thinking and operate confidently across borders, her journey stands as an example of how learning, adaptability, and cultural intelligence can open new pathways to meaningful impact.
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