Amit Sonnilal’s, EMBA ’24, executive education didn’t just lead to a new role – it also helped him understand his purpose, and lead from a place that’s in line with his values.

“One of the things I really appreciated about the program is the way it encourages us to think globally in our approach to business, and at the same time to focus on the very real opportunities we have at home in Canada,” says Sonnilal, Vice President, Organizational Excellence & Enablement at Capital One.

“That altered how I viewed business in the world, but also the work we still have to do here, specifically with First Nations and Indigenous people. It also helped me think about the choices that we could be making to create value where we do business internationally, so that everyone has the opportunity to be successful.”

Sonnilal found several valuable insights in the program’s sustainability course, as well as in courses around strategy, accounting, economics, and finance.

“You’re literally learning from people who wrote the book on this subject matter,” he says. “They’re just exceptional thought leaders in this space that I revere, and experts I quote quite frequently with my teams. I still think about their teachings while doing my work.”

“The purpose statement in the sustainability course also helped me enjoy what I do more because it goes back to my very explicitly stated purpose, that was perhaps the most delightful surprise I hadn’t expected to get out of an EMBA.”

In fact, Sonnilal says he relied on those teachings when he switched roles during (and again after) the program.

“I truly believe some of the learnings I have, especially around formulating and articulating clear strategies, were one of the most important pieces that helped me get to that vice president level,” he says.

“This past June, I started another new executive role, and I believe the reason I've been so successful so far in this role is because I was able to document the ‘why’ behind what the teams do and lean into more of the quant aspects of banking.”

Before the program he may have shied away from technical analysis-based problems, he adds, but having gone through the EMBA and working with – and analyzing – so many cases, he can “walk towards that now.”

“That's been a really great confidence booster.”

For anyone considering the program, Sonnilal says not to second guess themselves or think they don’t belong in a business program if math isn’t their strong suit.

“If you've made it into the program and you're willing to put in the work, you will be fine,” he says.

“The program is structured – and the support systems are structured – in a way that you get what you put in.”