Top executives: How UNM’s Anderson School of Management shapes professionals

Anderson alumni executives credit their time at UNM with developing the strategic and leadership foundations that define their success.

The University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management is launching a new series highlighting alumni who now serve as top executives across a variety of industries. The series will explore how Anderson’s innovative curriculum, faculty expertise, and commitment to real-world learning help prepare graduates to lead organizations with confidence, purpose and strategic vision.

In the coming months, the Top Executives Series will feature Anderson alumni who have risen to the highest levels of leadership in sectors such as banking, construction, manufacturing, health care, technology and more. These alumni hold roles including President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Executive Director, Managing Principal and Vice President, among other senior leadership positions responsible for guiding strategy, overseeing large teams and operations, and shaping the direction of well-known organizations. Each article will offer a closer look at the leaders guiding companies through today’s rapidly changing business landscape, and the lessons they carried with them from their time at Anderson.

“At Anderson, we don’t just teach business—we develop leaders,” said Dean Alina Chircu. “Seeing so many of our graduates rise to C-suite and senior leadership roles across diverse industries is a testament to the quality of our programs, dedication of our faculty and what’s possible when talent is nurtured in a supportive and forward-thinking academic environment like the Anderson School of Management.”

Each installment will highlight several executives within a specific industry, showcasing the diversity of paths alumni take on their way to the senior leadership roles. Through interviews with each executive, the articles will explore how Anderson helped build the foundation for their leadership—whether through hands-on projects, mentorship, case-based learning, teamwork or experiential opportunities that challenged them to think critically and make data-informed decisions.

The series will also include perspectives on the challenges and trends that senior leaders are facing in their industries, offering valuable insights for current students, emerging professionals, and the broader business community.

Together, these profiles will celebrate not only individual achievements but also the shared experience that connects Anderson graduates: a commitment to innovation, strategic thinking, and driving meaningful success within their organizations and communities.

The series will be published both on the Anderson School newsroom and the University’s newsroom.