Why Leaders Starve the Capabilities They Need Most? EMBA Talks on 14.04, 12:30

Marzo 16, 2026 | NEWS, OPEN DAY

EMBA Talks | 14 April 2026 | 12:30 PM (Online)
Registration

To enroll, please write to: emba@usi.ch to receive the Zoom link.

We envision EMBA Talks as a series of events that combine academic expertise with open dialogue, focusing on relevant and timely topics in management, finance, marketing, society, and leadership.
Each session centers on a key theme and features an EMBA professor or EMBA alumni, who introduce the topic through a short presentation followed by an interactive discussion with participants. The goal is to create a space where ideas can be shared, challenged, and explored together.

Why Leaders Starve the Capabilities They Need Most?

Organizations often remain stuck in cycles of firefighting and short-term fixes, underinvesting in the capabilities that drive long-term performance. Research on capability traps shows how this pattern emerges from everyday resource allocation decisions.
This study identifies a framework that determines whether capability investments succeed or fail. The framework provides executives with a practical lens to prioritize capability building, allocate resources more effectively, and design strategies that avoid persistent underperformance while enabling sustainable growth.

Speaker

Paulo Gonçalves is Professor of System Dynamics and Management at USI and Director of the Executive MBA. He is a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS) and a former Research Affiliate at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

His research combines System Dynamics Simulation, Behavioral Experiments, and Econometrics to understand how managers make decisions in humanitarian settings. Currently, he has been developing supply chain experiments to understand and improve managerial decisions in humanitarian operations.

He holds a Ph.D. in System Dynamics and Management Science from MIT Sloan and a M.Sc. from MIT. Prior to USI, prof. Gonçalves held appointments at the MIT Sloan School of Management and the University of Miami Graduate School of Business.

While at Sloan, Paulo worked with Intel’s Strategic Capacity group as an Intel scholar. For his work, he has received the Intel Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Award (2003-2004). For his dissertation, he has won the 2004 Doctoral dissertation award given annually by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).

The Superpower of Networking: Strategy, Mindset, and Real Opportunities

Marzo 9, 2026 | NEWS, OPEN DAY

Roundtable Event – March 25, 2026 | Hotel de la Paix, Lugano, In collaboration with Orienta, Lead your Future

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, professionals, executives, and business leaders will gather at Hotel de la Paix in Lugano for a thought-provoking roundtable organized by HR Ticino titled “The Superpower of Networking.” Taking place from 18:00 to 19:30, the event aims to explore networking not simply as a social activity, but as a strategic capability that drives professional growth, innovation, and collaboration.

Supported by leading organizations, the event is designed to promote a networking mindset and culture, offering participants both strategic perspectives and practical tools. Through an interactive discussion format, attendees will gain insights into how meaningful professional relationships can generate tangible opportunities and long-term value.

Particular attention will be given to the connection between personal branding and reputational capital, highlighting how professionals can intentionally cultivate credibility and visibility within their networks. The discussion will also examine the strength of professional ecosystems through stakeholder mapping, emphasizing the importance of understanding and nurturing relationships with key actors across organizations and sectors. In addition, the event will explore the role of LinkedIn as a professional showcase, illustrating how digital platforms can amplify networking efforts and strengthen one’s professional presence.

Among the featured participants is Cristina Saporiti, Director of Operations of the USI Executive MBA and a senior professional in the design and management of executive education programs. With more than 25 years of national and international experience, Saporiti has developed extensive expertise in innovation, operational processes, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of collaborative ecosystems linking universities, companies, and institutions. Her contributions to the regional professional landscape were recognized in 2022, when she was included among the “101 Successful Women in Ticino.”

Through the exchange of experiences and perspectives among experts and participants, “The Superpower of Networking” aims to demonstrate how strategic relationship-building can become a powerful lever for career development, organizational growth, and innovation. The roundtable format will encourage dialogue and reflection, ensuring that attendees leave with practical insights they can apply immediately in their professional environments.

The roundtable will also feature Fulvio Besseghini, Chief Operating Officer of Lombardi SA in Switzerland and civil-environmental engineer with more than twenty years of international experience in large infrastructure projects across the energy and water sectors, and Richard Bortoletto, PMP project manager, entrepreneur and certified board member with extensive expertise in governance, organizational processes and public administration, currently Head of Citizen Services for the City of Lugano. The discussion will be moderated by Marco Vigini, HR executive, networking expert and founder of BNet2Connect, who has spent over two decades working on talent development, organizational growth and the promotion of networking culture across companies, institutions and leading universities.

By combining strategy, mindset, and actionable advice, the event highlights a simple but powerful idea: in today’s interconnected world, networking is not just a skill—it is a superpower.

EMBA Class 12 at the Gotthard Tube: Strategy and Sustainability at Marti Tunnel

Marzo 3, 2026 | NEWS, OPEN DAY

EMBA Class 12 | Field Visit | Infrastructure & Sustainability

Class 12 had the privilege of visiting the Marti Group’s construction works at the Gotthard highway tunnel doubling — southern lots — in Airolo. What unfolded was far more than an engineering spectacle. It was a masterclass in strategy, coordination, and sustainable thinking at scale.

A century of building excellence

Founded in 1922 as a small family business, the Marti Group has grown over a century into one of Switzerland’s leading construction conglomerates, today comprising more than 80 affiliated companies and over 6,000 employees operating across Switzerland and internationally. From the Bern train station reconstruction in 1958, to the Felsenau bridge in 1972, CERN in 1980, and the Prime Tower in Zurich in 2011, Marti has left its mark on the landmarks that define modern Switzerland.

What has remained constant throughout this remarkable growth is the group’s federal structure: independent subsidiaries, each expert in their field, strengthened by central coordination. This model allows Marti to deliver fully integrated solutions — from initial concept to final handover — without relying on external partners for critical workstreams.

The project: a second tube through the Alps

The Gotthard Road Tunnel, open since 1980, is a vital artery in Europe’s north-south transport corridor. After four decades of intensive use, the original tube requires a comprehensive refurbishment — a task impossible to carry out while it remains open to traffic. The solution: build a second parallel tube, open it by 2030, and only then undertake the renovation of the first.

The new tunnel stretches 7.8 km on the southern section alone and involves excavation through some of the most geologically challenging terrain in the Alps.

Engineering at the frontier: the tunnel boring machine

The centrepiece of the southern operation is a tunnel boring machine (TBM) measuring 128 metres in length, with a cutting head diameter of 12.36 metres — roughly the width of a four-lane motorway. Transporting this machine to the Airolo site required multiple special convoys, meticulous logistical planning, and close coordination across several cantons.

Once assembled and launched from the consolidated southern portal — where specialist piles installed by Marti Bern have already secured the tunnel entrance and the first 100 metres of launch tunnel have been excavated — the TBM will advance at an estimated pace of 20 metres per day, with breakthrough planned for 2027.

The project’s greatest geological challenge lies approximately 4.9 km from the southern portal: a 340-metre disturbance zone known as “de Guspis”, where the rock is particularly friable. This zone will be crossed and secured under the main lot 341, requiring careful sequencing and pre-consolidation measures.

For an EMBA cohort trained to think in systems, the visit offered a rare opportunity to see systems thinking in action. The Gotthard project is, at its core, a study in managing complexity: multiple lots running in parallel, a multi-company consortium operating under shared accountability, real-time decision-making under geological uncertainty, and a constant need to balance regulatory, environmental, and community stakeholder demands.

A special thank you to EMBA Alumnus Roberto Zanoli, Project Manager at Marti Tunnel.

The second Gotthard tube is scheduled to open to traffic in 2030. For those who had the privilege of seeing it from the inside — in every sense of the word — it stands as a reminder of what becomes possible when engineering ambition, organizational discipline, and genuine commitment to sustainability converge.

EMBA Talks on Organizational capabilities. 04.03, 12:30

Febbraio 18, 2026 | NEWS, OPEN DAY

EMBA Talks | Wednesday 4 March 2026 | 12:30 PM (Online)

Why do organizations that know they need to transform so often fail to do so? And what does it take — personally and professionally — to navigate new processes, disrupted supply chains, and regulations that arrive too late?

These are the questions at the heart of this upcoming online event, featuring two USI EMBA alumni who will share their first-hand experiences from the front lines of organizational change.

Speakers

Valerio d’Ettorre is Head of Production and Client Consultant at Witschi & Ritz Crossmedia AG, a printing and packaging company based in Nidau, Bern. The company serves a diverse range of clients — from luxury watch brands such as Swatch and Omega, to winemakers (Vinum) and medical device companies (STAAR Surgical) — working with a network of 12 production partners across Europe.

His talk will focus on the soft skills the EMBA helped him develop — courage, self-confidence, trust in yourself — and the broader shift in mindset that, as he puts it, goes well beyond the classroom.

Thomas Hutter, Senior Manager of Global Supply Chain Programs & Analytics at a leading life sciences company at BD, Becton Dickinson, Vaud, leads a team of 30+ data scientists, developers, and solution architects. His work spans the full supply chain — from planning and sourcing to delivery — and he has hands-on experience building analytical capabilities, implementing Lean Six Sigma practices, and driving change in large, complex organizations.

The event will be opened and moderated by Prof. Paulo Gonçalves, Professor of System Dynamics and Management at USI and Director of the Humanitarian Operations Group. A PhD graduate of MIT Sloan and Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, Prof. Gonçalves studies how managers make decisions under pressure — making him the ideal host for a conversation about organizational capability, supply chain resilience, and the human side of change.

EMBA 15: Early Bird Discount of CHF 10,000 – Apply by May 31st

Febbraio 10, 2026 | NEWS, OPEN DAY

Early Bird Discount – Limited Time Offer

The USI Executive MBA is offering an exceptional early bird discount of CHF 10,000 for candidates who enroll by May 31st, 2026. This is your opportunity to invest in a world-class executive education while benefiting from significant savings.

Why Choose USI EMBA?

The USI Executive MBA, starting in November 2026, is designed for ambitious professionals ready to take their careers to the next level. The program brings together ethical leadership, international networking, and academic excellence in a flexible weekend format.

Key Highlights:

Flexible Weekend Format: Attend classes one asynchronous day plus two consecutive days in Lugano (Saturday-Sunday) each month over 14 months, plus an international study tour to Boston
International Community: Join a diverse cohort representing over 25 nationalities
World-Class Faculty: Learn from internationally renowned professors from top business schools and strategic consulting firms
Lasting Network: Access an exclusive alumni community that continues to generate opportunities long after graduation

Admission Requirements

Minimum 4 years of professional experience
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Two letters of reference
Demonstrated leadership experience

Don’t miss this opportunity

With limited spots available and the early bird deadline approaching, we encourage you to begin your application process today. Take advantage of this CHF 10,000 discount and join the next generation of ethical leaders shaping the global business landscape.

Application Deadline for Discount: May 31st, 2026

Ready to transform your career? Contact us today or submit your application to secure your place in the USI EMBA Class of 2026.

EMBA 15: Where Your Network Becomes Your Net Worth

Gennaio 30, 2026 | NEWS, OPEN DAY

Invest in yourself. Invest in connections that last a lifetime.

In today’s interconnected business world, success isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you know and how effectively you can leverage those relationships. The USI Executive MBA 15 program understands this fundamental truth, making networking not just a component of the experience, but a cornerstone of your professional transformation.

Beyond the Classroom: Building Relationships That Matter

Starting in November 2026, EMBA 15 offers more than a prestigious degree. Over 18 months, you will join an exclusive community of ambitious professionals who will become your colleagues, collaborators, and lifelong connections.

The program’s unique structure—14 monthly modules spanning two on-site days (Saturday and Sunday) in Lugano, plus an international study tour to Boston—creates natural opportunities for meaningful relationship building. During lunches, class breaks, and social events, you will connect with fellow participants from diverse professional backgrounds and cultures, expanding your worldview while strengthening your professional network.

A Network That Spans Generations

One of EMBA 15’s distinctive features is its cross-generational approach. Two elective courses are shared with the previous and upcoming cohorts, creating a unique in-class networking experience across three generations of participants. This means your network doe not just include your immediate classmates—it extends to professionals who came before you and those who will follow.

Community Beyond Business

At USI EMBA, we recognize that networking is not confined to business cards and LinkedIn connections. We actively organize events that involve EMBA community members and their families, fostering genuine relationships that transcend professional boundaries. These occasions create the foundation for authentic, lasting connections.

Joining an International Alumni Network

As a future USI alumnus, you will gain access to an exclusive and extensive international network. Our alumni are passionate ambassadors who remain actively engaged with the program, readily available to share their experiences and insights. This is not just a network—it’s a community that continues to support your growth long after graduation.

Your Journey Starts Now

The EMBA 15 admissions process itself is designed to build relationships. From your initial manager consultation through the “BE AN EMBA” half-day class experience, you will connect with faculty, current students, and alumni who can offer insights into the transformative power of this program.

With a rolling admissions process and limited class sizes, we encourage early application. Your investment in EMBA 15 is an investment in yourself—and in a network that will support your ambitions for years to come.

Program at a Glance:

Degree: Executive Master in Business Administration – 60 ECTS
Duration: 18 months (November 2026 – May 2028)
Format: Hybrid learning with monthly weekend modules
Locations: Lugano, Switzerland | Boston, United States

At USI EMBA, we firmly believe that networking is a key driver of business success. Your network will become one of your most valuable assets—professionally and personally.

Ready to expand your horizons and your network?

Visit our website to learn more about admissions and start your journey toward EMBA 15.

Because the best investment you can make is in yourself—and in the connections that will shape your future.

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