Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA student, Younggun Kim is a Partner at EY Korea and leads the Private Equity Sector, advising global private equity clients on M&A, due diligence, and valuation for complex cross-border transactions.

He is currently approaching graduation from the EMBA program—an experience that has further strengthened his strategic capabilities and global mindset.

At the outset, Mr. Kim questioned whether the EMBA would meaningfully enhance his expertise, given his academic background in economics and his qualifications as a Certified Public Accountant. “At the beginning, I wondered whether the EMBA would dramatically elevate my knowledge and skills,” he recalls. “Looking back over the past year, I now realize that assumption was completely wrong.”

He points to the depth and practical relevance of the curriculum, noting that faculty from the Kelley School of Business deliver case-driven lectures grounded in both international and Korean business contexts.

These experiences have sharpened his ability to analyze market dynamics and make well-structured strategic decisions.

Courses in leadership and organizational management have directly informed his day-to-day work, while executive-focused classes have provided a more systematic framework for strategic problem-solving.

“The program offers curated courses designed to prepare us for C-suite roles and delivers thoughtful, actionable insights,” Mr. Kim says. “Equally important, interaction with peers from diverse industries and backgrounds has given me perspectives I had never encountered before.”

He also highlights the practical impact of coursework on artificial intelligence. “In the age of AI, the ability to effectively leverage AI tools has become essential in the workplace,” he notes. “The classes covering recent trends and technologies provided frameworks that I actively apply in my professional work.”

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Kim values the network built through shared experiences and team-based projects, describing the relationships formed as both professionally and personally meaningful—and likely to endure well beyond graduation.

He further cites the Global Immersion Program in Washington, D.C. as a defining experience that deepened his understanding of international affairs, politics, and the global economy, equipping him with a broader perspective as a global leader.

Regarding the program’s 100% English-taught format, Mr. Kim notes that while he regularly uses English in his professional role, the EMBA experience further enhanced his proficiency and confidence. “Engaging with faculty from SKK GSB and the Kelley School of Business who bring international business cases into the classroom strengthened my global mindset,” he explains. 

“For prospective students concerned about language, the faculty are highly mindful of non-native English speakers and deliver lectures in a clear, effective, and engaging manner.”