Ask the Expert

Specialized vs General EMBA
How To Choose The Right Path For Your Career?
 

May 22, 2025 | Thursday 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM IST | Online  


With so many Executive MBA programs out there, it’s easy to get stuck wondering: Should I go for a general management EMBA or choose a specialized one like Product Leadership?

In this Ask the Expert session, we bring you honest, no-fluff conversations with industry professionals who were once in your shoes. You’ll hear from a senior Silicon Valley practitioner, Pinkesh Shah, who has coached and mentored hundreds of mid-career professionals like you and serves as visiting faculty at top B-Schools globally.

He’ll be joined by EMBA alumni Sandeep Manepalli, a Senior Product Manager from Pegasystems and Senthil Kumar, a Senior Product Manager from Infosys. They will share why they chose a specialized EMBA in Product Leadership, how that decision played out in their careers, and their honest advice for others making this choice.

If you’re exploring EMBA options, this session will help you cut through the noise and make a smarter, more confident decision.


SAVE YOUR SPOT

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The Harsh Reality You Can’t Ignore

Professionals today are investing lakhs to crores in executive education, but not all programs deliver real, measurable outcomes. Too often, graduates from general EMBA programs are left with heavy education loans and unfulfilled career aspirations.

The truth is, as AI continues to reshape industries, traditional general management roles are disappearing. Companies are no longer looking for just people, process and project managers, they need leaders who can drive product strategy, innovation, and technology. Choosing the wrong EMBA program could leave you stuck in a role that lacks growth, with no way to catch up to the rapidly changing demands of the workforce.

Don’t just take our word for it, read the full report by the World Economic Forum, here.

Key Takeaways:

- Why general EMBA programs are falling behind in the age of AI and digital disruption
- How a specialized EMBA in Product Leadership opens doors to roles in innovation, product, and technology
- Real-world success stories from alumni across industries
- Common EMBA myths debunked
- A practical framework to evaluate and select the right EMBA program for your goals
​- Expert advice on building future-proof skills that employers are actively seeking

About the Speaker

Pinkesh Shah

Founder & CEO,
DelightLoop

Pinkesh Shah is a seasoned product executive with 25+ years of experience in building successful products in start-ups as well as large global organizations. He is currently the founder of Delightloop and was most recently the Chief Product Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Qualys. Prior to this, he was the global VP of Product Management at McAfee in Silicon Valley. He’s a guest faculty at several internationally reputed B-schools like IIM Bangalore, Amsterdam University and more.
Sandeep Manepalli

Senior Product Manager
Pegasystems

Sandeep Manepalli is a Senior Product Manager at Pegasystems with 20+ years of experience, with 7 of those in product management and development. He leads Pega Customer Service for Financial Services, driving customer-centric solutions through close collaboration with teams and stakeholders. With certifications in Java, Technical Decisioning, and Scrum Product Ownership, Sandeep blends technical expertise with strategic thinking to deliver impactful, user-friendly products. He also mentors junior team members and fosters a culture of continuous learning.
Senthil Kumar

Senior Product Manager
Infosys

Senthil Kumar is a Senior Product Manager at Infosys, who has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, in the Insurance and Banking Domain (BFSI). He has previously led teams at Danske IT, Wipro, and Cognizant. He has successfully executed large scale integration of two leading UK banks. He holds a strong knowledge of project management and design thinking principles.

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Specialized vs. General EMBA: How to Choose the Right Path for Your Career?