Class of 2016: MSEL Cohort Truly Cares for Leadership Enhancement

Class of 2016: MSEL Cohort Truly Cares for Leadership Enhancement

MSEL Cohort 16

Eighteen executives — 10 men, eight women — with different occupations, responsibilities, skills and experiences. Six have a military background, but each person has director, manager or leader in their job title or description. Some are business founders, but everyone in this dynamic group has an entrepreneurial spirit.

And yet, for one weekend during each of the past 22 months, these 18 individuals who call San Diego, Florida and even Brazil home, came together to learn and grow at USD.

“A Second Family”

On May 21, University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Executive Leadership (MSEL) Cohort 16 earned degrees. But Christina De Vaca, MSEL director when the group started in Fall 2014, summed up perfectly what they became: “A second family.”

This was clearly evident at a celebratory dinner program at USD’s La Gran Terraza restaurant the night before they each walked across the Jenny Craig Pavilion stage. The four-hour party showcased admiration for each other and a visible bond that felt more like they were at a cherished family gathering than a standard education graduation.

The program included a “Sweet 16 Culture” presentation by cohort members Bill Johnston and Chad Gordon and a slideshow and video reflection by Rommel Salgado. Gordon gave each person a unique balloon. There were tame inside jokes and stories told. At the close, though, were hugs and emotional words about the importance of the program, the people and the overall experience.

“After many years as a single kid, I feel I now have 17 brothers and sisters,” said Heidi Amato, a construction project manager with Sprint, about the closeness of the cohort.

“I love each and every one of you. There is so much brilliance in each of you,” said Karen Mathis, entrepreneur and founder of KarenCouture.com.

“In our time together, we had a very special vibe … it’s something I don’t want to lose,” said Mary Randall, manager of operations with TrendSource, Inc.

Leadership Enhancement

The MSEL degree, one of two specialized leadership programs offered by USD’s School of Business, is designed for experienced professional and is co-taught by professors and active business executives. USD’s MSEL program works in tandem with Ken Blanchard Companies to provide solid interpersonal and business skills learning that can immediately be applied in daily life.

Courses included self-appraisal and analysis of leadership to ethics, communication, decision making, problem solving, leadership in a team context and leading change. The curriculum, academically rigorous and relevant, helps leaders overcome challenges, learn the motivations and how to anticipate the actions of others more easily.

“We all participated in something magical,” said Beth Mulcahy, founding attorney and senior partner of the Mulcahy Law Firm. “We were tested throughout the program, but there were good people, good advice and good fun.”

Working Hard, Having Fun

Indeed, many cohort members reflected on “community time,” as Mathis called it, which was code for good wine and good conversation. Presentations were given by the cohort members to the class in costume. A week-long study abroad trip to Spain for a Leadership in a Global Context course was another bonding experience. Everything contributed to the foundation of this tight 18-person relationship.

“MSEL has been my family, my oasis,” said Courtney Williamson, client services manager for The Ken Blanchard Companies. “These 17 people restore me. I came here each month to see the person I wanted to be.”

Being a leader is not a one-dimension task. It has layers, lots of layers. It’s a role that offers room for improvement. Just ask Retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major Frank Pulley, a 30-plus year veteran, who learned that being vulnerable is a strength, not a weakness.

“It’s about growth,” said Pulley, president of Military Veteran Solutions. “I learned that leadership is what you do with people, not to them.”

Engaged Faculty

The group received a complete educational experience through a solid collection of USD business faculty, which included Jaime Alonso Gomez prior to becoming USD’s business dean in Fall 2015, and those who work for Ken Blanchard Companies. At the May 20 event USD Associate Professor of Management Carsten Zimmerman and Vicki Halsey, vice president of applied learning at Ken Blanchard Companies, received Impact Awards from the cohort.

“I would love to work for them,” said Halsey, who taught two of the cohort’s classes, about the group. “There was a real sense of love among this group. They really understood that you have to care for people by seeing them as people.”

Growing Better Prepared Leaders

Pam Gray Payton, USD assistant vice president for media communications, enjoyed her cohort’s chemistry and its dedication to meet challenges and become better leaders. Brad Shoen, an investor and a consultant, praised the group for it shared values, love for service leadership and support for each other. Patricia Quinn Olsem, vice president of innovation for the WD-40 Company, enjoyed her experience because through classes, projects, conversations and time spent together, “we each had 17 others who were able to teach us what we didn’t see in ourselves.”

Everyone, from Brazilian leadership coach Eric Bertrand and Florida-based Merrill Lynch director Steve Kowalski to Annette Mason, Greg Radzinski and Phil Silver, was part of something unforgettable.

“There was such a team camaraderie and love for each other,” said Evan Wahl, an operations manager for Republic Services, Inc., “I can’t wait to see what’s next for all of us.”

— Ryan T. Blystone