Category: Testimonials

I was part of the Executive Development Program (EDP) at Northwestern Kellogg School of Management in Spring 2024. I had very high expectations before going to the program as it was set by the previous participants who suggested I should go in the first place. This is not wise as the bar was put high, but this program exceeded even this high bar.

The program is designed to prepare potential high flyers for senior management and C-suite roles and to help senior managers and executives enhance their leadership skills, strategic thinking, and ability to drive organizational success in the updated global business environment. The program was structured in logical order with very intense modules for 3 weeks, where all relevant business management parts are covered within the right dose that is required for a business leader. The staff that was delivering the modules were all world-renowned practitioners or academics, that are transferring their real-world knowledge and experience. Learning principles were mostly based on case studies, simulations, and experiences with some mix of theories where this was applicable. Another important part was the group of participants, and this was decisive in whether quality discussion would be developed and how everybody could describe the points taken or add their own experience to it. That is how you learn.

I must admit it is not that easy to break the already implemented corporate management style in an organization where the way of doing business has not changed for more than a decade. However, I am trying to implement some of the things personally and in the local team, although the functioning of the local team mainly depends on the general corporate functionality matrix. I am trying to form the smaller things: like being a better listener, listening not only hearing. Compare the companies’ operations, marketing, and strategy approaches with the frameworks I learned at Kellogg.

My experience with Kellogg was profound, broadening my horizons and looking at what is coming soon in the business. What would be relevant, and what would lose the relevance? How to position your company and yourself in the new setting!

The whole process was very well organized both from Mkd2025 and Kellogg sides. I would perhaps allow more people to be eligible to apply for the Zafirovski Executive Development Program, as I believe the potential needs to be valued much more than the ethnicity if that person is somehow related to Macedonia or wants to help Macedonia.

My message to future scholars

Applying for the Executive Development Program (EDP) at Northwestern Kellogg is a pivotal step toward elevating your leadership capabilities and strategic insight. This immersive program offers unparalleled access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge business strategies, and a diverse network of senior leaders, providing you with the skills and connections necessary to drive significant organizational impact and personal growth. Embrace this opportunity to transform your career and become a catalyst for innovation and success within your organization.

Participant: Nikola Kjurchiski

Company: Regional Manager- Balkans at WEIR Group plc.

I attended the Executive Development Program at Kellogg in June 2024. Prior to my arrival there, my only expectation was to be surprised by it. And surprised I was.

EDP has helped me simultaneously focus and expand my thinking. Sounds counterintuitive, however during the program you internalize looking at challenges from a wider perspective and addressing them thoroughly from multiple angles. You are trained to zoom out, understand, zoom in bit by bit and apply specific technical knowledge and skills to problem-solving. 

The program is heavily condensed and squeezed into 3 weeks. It is well structured and follows a very logical flow of subjects and topics. You get to grasp the practical applications and logic of the latest business concepts and use them on real-life examples, all in a matter of hours per topic (marketing, strategy, operations…).

I appreciated the concise and straight forward teaching and well managed discussions. Lectures were quite interactive and while I learned a lot from our professors, I learned at least an equal amount from my peers. 

The skills and knowledge gained are widely applicable in businesses, but also in other organizations, in society and in life. This makes the program really engaging and empowering. It encourages you to think about a wider array of challenges that could be solved in your environment.

I am especially thankful for the new people I got to meet and study with. The group was very diverse geographically and professionally, and I was really eager to learn from each and every other participant in the group. The group breathes together throughout the program. We studied, hanged out, partied, solved problems and discovered a lot about each other’s cultures. We’ve made lifelong bonds and friendships.

The Northwestern University Campus in Evanston wraps up this wonderful learning experience in a cosy and historical atmosphere with all amenities a person would need during their stay.

The program is aimed at building better leaders, and it is for my environment to judge whether I have become a better leader. However, I do feel much more confident and prepared in that role after going through those unforgettable 3 weeks.

In the end, I must emphasize the gratitude I feel towards the team at Macedonia2025 for selecting and supporting us along the way, and making this experience really seamless. At the same time, I would also point out the exceptional organization and support by the EDP program team at Kellogg, who have made sure that our experience is focused on learning and developing.

Coaching 

I opted for the coaching sessions alongside EDP. The program assigns a coach for the duration of the program and several sessions prior and after that. The coach had very relevant experience in the business world and has coached many leaders before. He took a couple of sessions to understand my environment and my positioning, and afterwards guided me in the process of planning how to apply the newly gained skills in my environment. I really appreciated the sessions after the ending of the EDP program, because they’ve helped me maintain my direction even after coming back to everyday work and life.

My message to future scholars

Prepare to be surprised by this world-class experience and learning journey. Kellogg will help you simultaneously focus and expand your thinking. It will improve your problem-solving skills and give you confidence to take on bigger and more meaningful challenges. You get to learn from globally renowned practitioners and scholars about current business issues and movements.

Regardless of your current role, prepare to be propelled to the leader version of you. 

Participant: Vojdan Jordanov

Company: Executive director and Executive member of Board of Directors in Triglav Osiguruvanje AD, Skopje (Triglav Insurance JSC, Skopje)