Sikander Malik
IESE Business School
Age: 39
“Strategic finance leader, lifelong learner, nature explorer – driven by purpose, impact, and passion for sustainability.”
Hometown: Frankfurt, Hessen (Germany).
Fun fact about yourself: I’m a big cat lover with a black belt spirit.
As a child, I was obsessed with tigers and other majestic felines. I even created a webpage documenting their historic range, which eventually caught the attention of WWF, which reached out to me for further information.
On the flip side, I’ve trained in martial arts since I was young. What began with Taekwondo evolved into a deep passion for real-world self-defense, including techniques for handling knife attacks.
And just to round things out: at 17, I crossed the border into Northern Cyprus under special UN permission. Years later, deep in the jungles of Borneo, I was lucky enough to spot a Bornean Tarsier – an incredibly tiny and elusive primate so rarely seen that even our experienced guide had never encountered one before. It was a rare reminder that sometimes patience and curiosity lead to truly unforgettable moments.
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU); Magister Artium in Political Science, Business Administration, and International Law.
Additional Academic Programs:
- National University of Singapore & Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy – Exchange Studies
- University of Qingdao, China – Summer School Program
Where are you currently working? I am currently working at Barclays as a Director in the International Corporate Banking Coverage team, based in Frankfurt, Germany. In this role, I focus on supporting German industrial multinational clients by delivering tailored financial solutions and coordinating global coverage efforts to meet their complex, cross-border banking needs.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: As a long-time mentor in Germany’s “Joblinge” program, I actively support youth from underprivileged backgrounds in navigating their path into the job market. This role has shaped my leadership philosophy, which is focused on empowering others by fostering opportunity, inclusion, and long-term perspective.
I am also deeply committed to sustainability and social impact. I continuously expand my knowledge in areas such as microfinance, sustainable finance, and impact investing, driven by a belief that finance must serve both people and planet. This mindset also informs my professional and personal choices.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? What I’m most proud of during the GEMBA journey is being able to serve as a role model for my colleagues, peers, and team members. Balancing the intense demands of my role at Barclays with the academic rigor of the program was never easy, but I remained fully engaged, consistently met deadlines, and contributed actively to team discussions and assignments. What gives me the greatest fulfillment is that others recognized and appreciated this balance.
I’ve mentored junior colleagues throughout the program and shared my learnings generously, both in my workplace and within the IESE community. On multiple occasions, I was told that my commitment and reflections served as a source of inspiration. For me, that’s the most meaningful achievement: having a positive impact beyond the grades or the content – but by embodying what I believe leadership should look like.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Rather than a single project or transaction, the professional achievement that gives me the greatest pride is the trust I’ve built over time, across all levels of the organization and beyond. Being seen as a reliable strategic advisor in complex, high-stakes situations is something I value deeply. Whether it’s senior leadership, peers, interns, or external partners, I’m often the person people approach when clear thinking, calm judgment, and discretion are needed.
This trust allowed me to work on several strategic projects with organizational impact, which were recognized internally. But more than recognition, what fulfils me most is being able to support others’ growth, help them succeed, and bring stability and clarity where it’s most needed. That’s the kind of impact I strive for every day.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? I am grateful to many professors and IESE staff for their time and conversations during the program. The dynamic in IESE´s Global Executive MBA differed greatly from my previous studies – the professors engaged with us as equals and valued our experience.
If I had to highlight one professor, it would be Santiago Álvarez de Mon: He showed me that true leadership starts with self-awareness. You must understand yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, to lead well. This also means recognizing your limits and motivations, and (above all) listening to your inner voice. Self-care is not a luxury but a prerequisite for leading others effectively.
However, I could name many professors here – and this should give you a hint that the interaction with professors was fantastic, and something for which I am deeply grateful.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? After extensive research and careful comparison of the top EMBA programs, I chose IESE’s Global Executive MBA because it uniquely combines global business education with a deep-rooted commitment to humanistic leadership. From the very beginning, I was drawn to the school’s values-driven approach – the belief that business should serve society, and that leadership is ultimately about people, not just performance.
Equally compelling was the program’s structure: a truly international format that immerses students in diverse business ecosystems across Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America. Learning firsthand in cities like Barcelona, Shanghai, Singapore and New York – alongside peers from every continent – offered the cross-cultural depth and strategic global perspective I was looking for.
While many programs are strong academically, IESE stood out by combining intellectual depth with ethical reflection and global immersion. It was the right fit not just for my professional development, but for the kind of leader I strive to be.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The biggest lesson I gained was the importance of context, and the value of maintaining a beginner’s mindset, no matter how experienced you are. In a program filled with high-achieving professionals, it’s easy to fall into the “expert trap” – the sense that you’ve seen it all. But sitting in a room with incredibly smart peers from diverse industries and cultures is humbling. You quickly realize how much you don’t know, and how much you can gain by unlearning, listening, and staying open.
One key moment for me was during a case discussion with Prof. Eric Weber where our group – split across Europe, Asia, and the Americas – interpreted the same situation in completely different ways. After 1.5 hours of discussion, the professor highlighted how this case plays out differently depending on cultural context, and suddenly we understood the disconnect. It was a true light-bulb moment. Since then, I’ve carried this insight into my daily work: global business isn’t just about understanding surface-level cultural cues. It’s about deep listening, recognizing invisible context, and being willing to question your own assumptions. Furthermore, prof. Weber succeeded in challenging some underlying beliefs of mine multiple times in very unexpected situations.
Since then, I’ve applied that insight daily at work, especially when I´m leading cross-border client discussions or aligning internal stakeholders from different regions. Instead of rushing to align on action, I now start by asking: “What assumptions might we be bringing into the room?” That small shift has helped resolve misunderstandings early and build trust faster. It’s also shaped how I coach junior colleagues – encouraging them to see context not as noise, but as signal.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? Juggling work, family, and the demands of the GEMBA was one of the biggest challenges of this journey, but also one of its most rewarding aspects. There were moments when all three worlds collided, which demanded focus, discipline, and the ability to adapt on the fly.
One example immediately comes to mind: I had just returned from a full GEMBA module in Spain, jumped straight into a week packed with work travel, and was invited to my best friend’s 40th birthday that weekend in another city. To complicate things further, I had a major coursework deadline on the exact same day. With no time to spare, my partner stepped in to handle the gift and logistics for the party, while I spent the 3.5-hour train ride finalizing my assignment. I submitted it using a patchy internet connection just in time – arriving fashionably late at the celebration, but with all responsibilities intact.
That moment, in all its chaos, taught me a lot: prioritization, trusting others, and the strength of partnership. It reminded me that success in an Executive MBA isn’t just about academic output. It’s about building the systems that make high performance sustainable.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? There’s so much I could share, but if I had to distill it, it would come down to three core pieces of advice:
1. Know your “why” & let your support network know!
An Executive MBA is intense – more than any brochure or info session can truly convey. The workload, travel, and emotional energy required are substantial. That’s why it’s critical to understand why you’re doing this. Clarity on your motivation will be your anchor during the inevitable ups-and-downs. And don’t underestimate the importance of your support network – your partner, family, friends, and your colleagues. You may be the one in the classroom, but they’re part of the journey. Involve them early. Their support will carry you through when your energy dips.
2. Stay humble and open.
You’ll get so much more out of the experience if you let go of your “expert identity” and approach it with curiosity. The value of an EMBA is not just in the content. It’s in the people, the conversations, and the unexpected insights that emerge when you’re open to change. One of my professors, Marta Elvira, said it best: “Make sure that you’ve grown through the program – and that you’re not the same person who started it.” Growth requires openness, and sometimes, unlearning.
3. Embrace the ride – including the hard parts.
This journey really is a rollercoaster. Some days will be amazing others exhausting. Try to embrace both. The most profound learning often comes when things don’t go perfectly. Those “low” points are not setbacks – they’re growth points. And when looking back, they might be the parts you value most.
If I had to summarize?
Be honest about your goals. Be ready to unlearn. Trust the process. And most importantly: stay present and enjoy the ride. You’ll look back one day and realize—it was one of the best decisions you ever made.
What was your biggest regret in business school? I wouldn’t say I have a major regret, except perhaps the classic FOMO that many of us feel. I tend to regret things I don’t do, and during the GEMBA, there were moments I had to miss: a class dinner because of jet lag, an evening out with peers due to a looming deadline, or simply being too tired after a long travel week. In hindsight, those small moments – conversations over dinner, spontaneous laughs, cultural experiences – were truly special. The program goes by so quickly, and it’s those informal connections that often stay with you the longest.
But one of the beautiful lessons from the GEMBA is also learning to let go of the illusion that you can be everywhere and do everything. The world is more complex, diverse and rich than any one person can fully grasp. Learning to prioritize, to be present where you are, and to accept that “missing out” is sometimes part of life – that in itself is a valuable insight. So yes, FOMO may have been my regret, but learning to live with it might have been part of the growth.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? This is one of the hardest questions. The GEMBA cohort is filled with exceptional people (diverse, inspiring, and wildly different!) Many of them are now part of my inner circle. These are people I could call at 2 a.m. and know they would pick up. But if I had to name just one, it would be Jean-Mickael Gay.
Jean-Mickael is an extraordinary entrepreneur who sold his business during the GEMBA and is now CEO of several companies within the acquiring group. He’s a sharp negotiator, a natural networker, and someone who truly knows how to build and lead. But what I admire most is that behind all the success, he’s deeply grounded in his values: a devoted family man, a loyal friend, and someone who consistently chooses integrity over ego.
He’s not afraid to show vulnerability, which is a rare and powerful trait in leadership. He listens, supports, and strives for win-win outcomes, no matter how complex the situation. For me, he embodies what this program is really about: growth, humility, courage, and humanity. A true leader – and, to me, a brother.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? For me, the format was just as important as the content. I wasn’t only looking for academic stimulation, I wanted deep personal transformation and a truly global perspective. The Global Executive MBA format, especially the one offered by IESE, gave me exactly that.
The in-person, full-immersion modules held across multiple international locations created an environment where everyone stepped outside their day-to-day roles. Spending two intense weeks per module, surrounded by an international cohort, allowed an incredibly rich learning experience – professionally and personally. You don’t just learn about strategy or finance; you learn about each other. These aren’t just classmates; they become lifelong friends. People you can rely on and are around all over the world.
At the same time, the structure allowed me to return to work between modules and immediately apply what I had learned. That real-time transfer between theory and practice was invaluable, as it made the learning stick.
One additional highlight was the opportunity to visit global companies on-site. As someone working in international banking, it was incredibly valuable to, for example, visit a company like NIO – a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer – and understand first-hand how business models evolve in different markets. These moments gave life to the theory and brought global business into sharp focus.
In short, I chose a Global Executive MBA because I didn’t just want flexibility. I wanted depth, connection, and transformation. And that’s exactly what I found.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed the GEMBA primarily through personal savings that I had built up over several years with the specific goal of investing in further education. Additionally, I was honored to receive a Global Leader Scholarship from IESE, which helped cover a part of the tuition.
Naturally, a global program like this comes with additional costs beyond tuition – travel, accommodation, and time away from work. Our cohort quickly developed a strong culture of collaboration and support, which also extended to finances: we shared housing, helped each other find good travel deals, and coordinated group discounts when possible. It was part of the experience and strengthened our bonds even further.
While the financial and time commitment is significant, I viewed this as a long-term investment in myself. I took time to make the decision carefully, and in hindsight, I would absolutely do it again. The return in terms of personal growth, network, and broadened perspective, has been truly worth it.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? While I’m still defining the exact path, my long-term goal is to grow into a leadership role where I can continuously expand my knowledge, share it generously, and drive meaningful impact.
I’m especially passionate about addressing complex challenges at the intersection of business, sustainability, and social responsibility – using business as a force for good. I believe deeply in the multiplier effect of education: when knowledge is shared, it creates a ripple effect of positive change across individuals, organizations and entire communities.
My aim is to lead with purpose, elevate others, and build systems that enable long-term value—not just in business outcomes, but in the lives we touch along the way. The Global Executive MBA has been a pivotal step in that journey. It has equipped me with the strategic tools, a global mindset and a clear sense of purpose to turn intention into action.
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