“Transformational” – this is how Jonathan J. Rojas describes his Executive MBA journey. The program challenged Johnny to align strategic thinking with empathy, as well as operational execution with long-term vision.
Embracing Challenges: Jonathan J. Rojas’ Leadership Evolution
Jonathan J. Rojas – or Johnny as his MBA friends now called him – spent several successful years at IBM, honing his expertise in the tech industry. In 2023, seeking to expand his leadership skills and advance his career, he decided to pursue the Executive MBA in Business & IT at the TUM School of Management. Currently based in Milan, he is working on his thesis while holding a strategic leadership role as Solution Principal Managed Services in Telecom Italia – the leading telecommunications company in the country. His responsibilities include strategic solution design, client advisory, commercial leadership, operational governance, and cross-functional collaboration. In this article, Johnny shares insights about his professional journey, the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned during his studies, and the ideals that continue to drive him.
From IBM to TUM, Johnny’s career journey and current role
Johnny has enjoyed a successful career, particularly during his nearly 10-year journey at IBM. There, he took on significant leadership roles and collaborated with high-performing teams globally. However, despite his achievements, Johnny firmly believes that true growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone. As he puts it, “True growth comes from exposing yourself to new uncertain situations, where you’re forced to adapt, learn, and evolve.”
For him, this meant leaving his long-standing position at IBM and relocating across continents. These challenges pushed him to adapt, embrace new perspectives, and continue his personal and professional development. It was this realization that led him to pursue the Executive MBA in Business & IT at TUM, a decision driven by his desire to break boundaries and test his potential in a completely new context.
New Challenges, New Growth
And it’s safe to say that the EMBA journey was not without its challenges for Johnny. Stepping into a new environment, language, academic culture, and personal expectations, was daunting. But what kept him motivated was “the belief that every opportunity to learn something new inevitably pushes you to navigate unfamiliar territory”, which he sees as an essential part of the growth process.
He found strength in the supportive atmosphere of the EMBA program, which creates a safe space where this kind of growth can happen. Surrounded by supportive peers and guided by experienced faculty, he has been able to embrace the discomfort that comes with learning and trust the process, “knowing I’m not alone in the journey”, he says.
His decision to pursue the Executive MBA at TUM was a deliberate choice to push his boundaries. The program’s international focus, combined with its emphasis on technology, innovation, and leadership, offered exactly the transformation he was looking for.
Throughout his journey, he has not only gained valuable academic insights but has also experienced significant personal development. While the academic content, especially the IT Security and Privacy Management module, has been directly relevant to his current role and thesis, it is the connections with his peers that have had the most profound impact: “The most impactful aspect for me has been the connections and deep, thoughtful discussions with my fellow students – now friends”.
These interactions challenged his assumptions, broadened his perspectives, and continuously inspired him. The exchange of ideas, both in and out of the classroom, has reshaped his mindset. Exposure to fields like Artificial Intelligence and Behavioral Economics has expanded his technical and analytical knowledge, enriching his approach to decision-making – in managed services as well as leadership.
In two years of his journey, Johnny has developed a leadership style rooted in curiosity and intentional collaboration. He believes in building ecosystems of trust – whether with clients, peers, or cross-functional teams – and empowering others to grown along the way. This philosophy has shaped his personal and professional life, as he continuously bridges the gap between business strategy and technical execution.
Currently, Johnny is working on his thesis, which has been a fulfilling yet challenging process. “I see this phase as the last mile of a marathon – demanding, but also deeply rewarding”. Looking back, he describes his EMBA journey as transformational, reshaping his approach to business, leadership, and technology. It has challenged him to balance strategic thinking with empathy and operational execution with long-term vision. As he looks ahead, Johnny is committed to “giving back – by mentoring and sharing knowledge, helping others find their path” just as he has.
