Ryan Krahmer

Ryan Krahmer knew Questrom was the right fit on the day he visited David Stolow’s nonprofit management class as a prospective student. “When Professor Stolow opened up the floor for questions, everyone’s hands shot up. Everyone wanted to participate, and the conversation was rapid fire,” recalls Krahmer. “The students were clearly passionate about learning business, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be a part of the discussion at Questrom.”

Now, as a student in the Part-Time Health Sector MBA program, Ryan is at the heart of conversations and case studies that directly relate to his full-time job as a manager in business operations at Bristol-Myers Squibb. “These classes illuminate the complexities of the whole healthcare system,” says Ryan. “I now know the diversity of stakeholders at play and their primary incentives, which helps me thrive in the pharmaceutical industry. For example, when I enter a meeting, I’m acutely aware of how impactful our decisions will be for my company, our partners, and most of all, our patients.”

Ryan points to guest lecturers as one of the highlights of the Questrom program. “To be able to sit and listen to a CEOs give a presentation on the qualitative and quantitative sides of their businesses—it’s invaluable. I really admire listening to how they approach challenges, since our cohort will be the next generation facing them,” says Ryan. “More than once, a guest speaker has changed the way I see an organization embrace obstacles in the marketplace, pivot, and succeed. It changes the narrative of what you think is possible.”

What has been most surprising about the MBA program for Ryan is how much his education is changing his world view. “For example,” he says, “you’re preparing a case study, you’re confident in your position, but then you leave the class saying, ‘What I was thinking?’ That’s why I’m thankful for the ‘humble inquiries’ with my classmates and professors inside the classroom. It’s a safe place for us to debate and disagree with good reason. Listening to them illuminate the problem and solution in ways I didn’t even consider beforehand always surprises me in a good way.”

“A-year-and-half ago I saw the world differently. Now, halfway through the MBA program, I’ve gone from working as an individual in an organization to knowing how to form teams, navigate complexity, and confidently deliver results. I honestly didn’t expect how much I would change.