Michelle Denise Johnson-Tidjani
IE Brown Executive MBA (IE Business School and Brown University)
Age: 50
“I am a healthcare executive interested in driving change in our industry to better serve our number one customer – our patients.”
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Family Members: Husband – Nassirou R. Tidani, and 2 children – Obafemi and Kennedy Tidjani
Fun fact about yourself: French is my second language.
Undergraduate School and Degree: Cornell University, AB – Government and University of Detroit Mercy School of Law – JD
Where are you currently working? Chief Administrative Officer, CommonSpirit Health
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: Board Member – American Arbitration Association and the McGregor Fund. I also support committees for the American Health Lawyers Association.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The extracurricular achievement I am most proud of is our exploration of entrepreneurial opportunities within the Township Communities of Cape Town, South Africa.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? It was US Supreme Court victory led by the American Hospital Association in partnership with a number of hospitals, including Henry Ford Health – where I served as General Counsel.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Seth Rockman because of his thoughtful approach to the implications of slavery on capitalism in the United States. I also enjoyed Brad Gibbs and his approach to Financial Management.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? The brand partnership of the two schools – Brown University, and IE Business School, and the balanced approach to the MBA. The program thoughtfully incorporates humanities coursework in a way that appropriately contextualizes an entrepreneurial or corporate career.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? I most appreciated the role of leadership in change management, and valuation analysis for corporations – especially those with little to no EBITDA.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? Each residential session required balance – during opposite times zones. I would work late into the evening and when necessary, travel and/or utilize platforms like zoom to stay connected.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Stop thinking, and apply.
What was your biggest regret in business school? None.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? All of them – we were each on a unique journey and I am grateful we ended at a shared points on our journey – together.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I valued the in-person connection with the cohort and the opportunity to complete the program within two years.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Have the greatest impact in healthcare.
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