In an ever-evolving business landscape, professionals often seek avenues for personal and career development that transcend the boundaries of traditional education. That was certainly the case for Andrea Horvath, EMBA UZH class of 2022-24, with eight years HR experience in the Swiss Military under her belt, and now a senior consultant in HR Organization and Transformation at consulting firm Kienbaum AG in Zurich.
A pivotal moment for Andrea came at the end of 2020 when she stepped into an HR leadership position where the department had ceased to exist. Andrea seized the opportunity to rebuild not only the team, but also the reputation of HR among its 450-employees, and, in doing so, laid the groundwork for her subsequent career leap.
“I decided to start my EMBA to add a new challenge after successfully completing these initiatives,” Andrea reflects. The EMBA UZH, blending global perspectives and strategic insights, aligned perfectly with her career goals.
Andrea’s favorite moments during the program included international study trips to Yale University in the US and Fudan University in Shanghai, providing practical insights into cross-cultural business practices. The collaborative learning environment, encompassing leadership modules and negotiation strategies, further enriched her understanding of the global business landscape.
Andrea emphasized the importance of networking, stating, “Building a network and forming new friendships throughout the program was a precious aspect for me.” In fact, during her studies, a fellow student connected Andrea with her future manager seeking someone with her profile. As a result, Andrea’s immediate career goals were met far sooner than she’d expected as she transitioned into a new role while still pursuing her EMBA.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, Andrea observes a noticeable shift in recognizing the strategic role of HR in driving organizational transformation. In her new role, she actively contributes to this evolution, helping Swiss SMEs to harness the full potential of HR as a strategic force. The aim is to proactively reshape the HR areas of companies to act as a digital innovators, talent and culture managers, and strategic advisors to business divisions.
Andrea’s success story is a testament to her focus, determination, and passion for this topic. The EMBA was able to harness these attributes to broaden Andrea’s global perspective and strategic acumen and also facilitate networking opportunities that led to her current role. As Andrea continues to build this new business area of HR and organization transformation at Kienbaum, she exemplifies how strategic leadership education can propel individuals to unprecedented success in their professional journeys.
