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Mini MBA Program: Shaping Leadership Through Strategic Thinking
24 Jun 2025
The idea behind the Mini MBA was simple: bring Moldova’s business decision-makers into a space where they can think together, challenge each other, and sharpen their leadership through real-world cases - not in theory, but in experience. On June 4th, that idea turned into action.
The Mini MBA Program officially launched, bringing together 80 founders, senior executives, and professionals for a hands-on learning journey inspired by the Harvard Business School case method.
The program spans five months and offers more than just business theory. It brings real challenges into the room, encourages thoughtful debate, and supports a mindset of continuous growth. Every session is built around preparation, exchange, and decisions made under pressure, just like in business.
June 4th - The Launch: A Leadership Workshop with Marian Staș
The program opened with a leadership workshop delivered by Marian Staș, Associate Professor at the University of Bucharest and Harvard Kennedy School.
Known for his work in education reform and systems thinking, Marian created an atmosphere of reflection and challenge. He spoke not about leadership as status, but as responsibility, anchored in courage, vision, and integrity. Participants were asked to reflect on the way they lead, on the systems they shape, and on the responsibility that comes with influence.
June 19th - Session #1: Strategy, Scaling, and Negotiation
The first official session followed on June 19, moderated by Vasile Tofan, Senior Partner at Horizon Capital.
Participants explored two business cases: one on go-to-market strategy and scaling, the other focused on negotiation in high-pressure situations. The group came well prepared, and the session quickly turned into a space of rigorous discussion and sharp insights. Different views met, and the conversation reflected the diversity of experience in the room.
Guided by the case method, participants unpacked complex decisions, explored their implications, and practiced communicating their reasoning with precision. Discussions around scaling strategies and negotiation dynamics turned into opportunities for learning, not just from the case, but from each other.
The session highlighted what this program is built to do: strengthen decision-making, increase clarity, and develop the habit of asking better questions.
The Road Ahead
With the first session complete, the Mini MBA Program moves forward with an ambitious agenda.
Over the next five months, the Mini MBA participants will take part in ten sessions, totalling over 40 hours of case-based learning. Topics will include customer acquisition, monetization, financial planning, team design, and leadership under complexity, each one designed to deepen both knowledge and perspective.
Participants will engage with a distinguished lineup of moderators: Olga Melniciuc (Startup Moldova), Macar Stoianov (maib), George Teodorescu (Mixbook), Cristian Cerneanu (ex-Google), Victor Bordian (Noction), Sergiu Plăcintă (Orange Systems), Dan Sturza (Fribourg Capital), and Cristina Harea (Diligent Capital). Each brings a wealth of expertise in leadership, growth, finance, innovation, and organizational design, creating a unique learning journey rooted in real business experience.
This is where ideas evolve, an leadership is refined.
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