Girma Tola, ’22 MBA: From Aspiration to Executive Leadership
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Program
’22 Executive MBA
Hometown
Dembi Dollo, Oromia, Ethiopia
Fun Fact:
I am an extrovert - relational person.
Undergraduate School and Major:
Human Resources Management
Current Job Title and Employer
UMB Bank N.A. - VP Corporate Trust Specialist
Meet the Carlson School community and learn about the experiences and career connections we offer.
What was your initial reason or motivation for pursuing an Executive MBA?
I worked for Wells Fargo Bank/Computershare for over 20 years, striving to advance into a senior or leadership role. After encountering various challenges, I decided to pursue an MBA at the Carlson School, hoping it would lead to new opportunities. With my boss’s support, I graduated in 2022. Following graduation, I applied for senior-level roles at Computershare (which had acquired Wells Fargo Corporate Trust), but they did not materialize. In 2024, I was offered a senior role at UMB Bank Corporate Trust and joined UMB on July 15, 2024.
Why did you choose the Carlson School?
The Carlson Executive MBA Program was flexible, and cohorts were professionals who worked in various sectors. Flexibility, the rich experience of the cohorts, and excellent professors were the reasons that I chose the Carlson School of Management. Also, the Carlson School is one of the top business schools in the nation.
What was your most valuable Carlson School experience or lesson?
Tenured professors, cohorts with rich experience, and experiential learning were my most valuable experiences. Guest speakers from different organizations sharing industry experiences enriched my learning experience.
How has your Carlson School experience helped you change your career path and get to where you are?
The MBA Program has broadened my business and leadership experience. It built my confidence and also opened doors for advancement in my career. The MBA Program gave me a competitive advantage that set me apart from the competition to land a VP role at UMB Corporate Trust.
The MBA Program has broadened my business and leadership experience. It built my confidence and also opened doors for advancement in my career.
What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Carlson’s Executive MBA Program?
Go for it. It is expensive, but it is a good investment with a lifetime return on the investment. The Executive MBA Program has value added unlike other traditional MBA programs. Cohorts' broad experience from various backgrounds, renowned faculty, and the opportunity to network are priceless. As professionals, people would become better leaders, gain knowledge, and be ready to take on challenging business environments.