California State University, Sacramento

Executive MBA Program


EMBA Guest Speakers

The Sacramento State Executive MBA curriculum emphasizes real-world business applications of cutting-edge theory and methods. To assure the program’s relevance to current business practice, it has been designed and delivered in close collaboration with regional community leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

An important element of this collaboration is the participation of business executives as guest speakers in the classroom. A wide variety of business, nonprofit, and government leaders have served in this capacity since the EMBA program was launched, in 2005.

Here are comments from a few of these executive speakers about their experience with the program:

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Chris McClain

 "I was surprised about the number of questions coming from the students and the level of interaction. There is a great thirst to understand more about what is going on in Corporate America with regard to the Information technology.   The enthusiasm and interest from the students is fantastic!"

Chris McClain
Senior Vice President and General Manager
SAP America, Inc.

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Patricia Cochran

 "As I entered the classroom of the EMBA program to present on the topic of enterprise risk management, I could actually feel the intellectual electricity.  It was a palpable presence and the students were the most engaged and curious group that I have ever addressed.  There is no doubt that these students are the future of American capitalism.  It will be exciting to watch their career progression."

Patricia Cochran, Chief Financial Officer
Vision Service Plan

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Leroy Tripette

 "We have a long history with Sacramento State so partnering on the Executive MBA program not only aligned with our corporate philosophy but seemed like a natural progression of our relationship with the University...Our employees are thrilled with the EMBA program and find it to be exciting, enjoyable, and having great impact. Many are actually surprised by how much they are learning – especially from the other members in the cohort – so that it makes for a very stimulating environment."

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Roger Valine

 "In today's competitive and ever changing world,  the EMBA program is an investment one can make in themselves and their future to help them grow and see opportunities where others would stall or see roadblocks. I also feel that the students may gain nearly has much from the instruction in the class as they do from the debate, and long term friendships that develop among the class and the faculty."

Roger Valine, Chief Executive Officer (retired)
Vision Service Plan

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Michael Ziegler

 "From my first meeting with Dean Varshney when he discussed the Executive MBA program, I have been so enthused at this opportunity for our community and for our employees. PRIDE Industries hosted the first EMBA class and sent a PRIDE senior manager through this inaugural program. I have been thoroughly impressed by the quality of the program and the quality of the individuals and companies who are participating. I sat through a number of the classes, and listened to the work group case studies solving business issues involving different companies. I found the output to be incredibly insightful with an obvious amount of business savvy from the participants. The Sacramento State EMBA program benefits our company and certainly shines a spotlight on the incredible educational opportunities that are available in our region. The best thing I can say about this program is that PRIDE will continue to participate and send participants through this valuable program."

Michael Ziegler, President/CEO
PRIDE Industries