USA, UCLA-NUS EMBA (Class of 2024/2025)
Ciara Cates
Strategist - Fashion & Sporting Goods
Quantis
Merging Science and Strategy: How Ciara Cates is Driving Sustainable Innovation with the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA
For Ciara Cates, sustainability has always been a technical challenge as much as a business one. As a Sustainability Strategist in Raw Materials Management at Quantis (a BCG company), she works at the intersection of science, supply chains, and corporate strategy, helping businesses build more sustainable and resilient operations.
While confident in her ability to evaluate materials, assess environmental impact, and drive technical solutions, she became increasingly involved in financial discussions—from evaluating start-ups to exploring non-traditional funding for innovation projects.
She explains, “I knew the science inside and out, but I wanted to understand the financial side on a deeper level—not just follow along but contribute meaningfully to the conversation.”
Her decision to pursue an Executive MBA was about bridging that gap. She had always enjoyed the business side of sustainability, and the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA offered a chance to widen her perspective, sharpen her financial acumen, and lead more effectively in a global business environment.
Balancing an EMBA with Career Growth and Life Transitions
Taking on an Executive MBA while working full-time is demanding, but Ciara’s experience pushed her further. During the program, she also moved to a new city and started a new job. She admits, “It was manageable, but it pushed me to be more intentional with my time. The experience strengthened my ability to prioritise, adapt quickly, and stay focused under pressure.”
The impact was immediate at work. She contributed more actively in meetings with finance and marketing teams, participated in higher-level strategic discussions, and took on new cross-functional responsibilities.
“Having the confidence to engage in broader business conversations has been a game-changer for me. It has opened new doors and new career opportunities.”
A Global Perspective on Sustainability and Business
One of the biggest draws of the UCLA-NUS EMBA was its international focus. Sustainability challenges don’t exist in a vacuum; they span supply chains, industries, and regions, so gaining a global perspective was essential.
“My work involves global partnerships, and I wanted an MBA program that reflected that reality. The international focus of UCLA-NUS gave me insights into sustainability across different regions, regulations, and market dynamics.”
Being surrounded by classmates and professors with firsthand experience working in different parts of the world was invaluable. This broadened her ability to develop sustainability strategies that are not only effective but also adaptable across markets.
An Unexpected Lesson in Leadership
While Ciara expected to gain financial and strategic skills, one of the most unexpected and valuable takeaways was how much leadership development would shape her approach.
She shares, “Learning to communicate better and build a collaborative team has increased my confidence as a leader and made challenging situations much easier to navigate.”
One of the most impactful lessons was about upward management, a skill she had never received formal training in. “Understanding how to manage up, influence leadership, and align sustainability goals with business objectives has been incredibly useful.” These skills have empowered her to lead sustainability initiatives more effectively, aligning them with both environmental goals and business priorities.
Scaling Sustainability from Technical Solutions to Business Models
The textile industry is shifting significantly toward circularity and sustainable practices—something Ciara has been deeply involved in for years. However, through the UCLA-NUS EMBA, she expanded her role beyond technical sustainability solutions to building business models that drive large-scale change.
“The EMBA helped me move from focusing on the technical side of sustainability to thinking about how to scale solutions at an industry level.”
This mental shift has allowed her to take on larger projects, helping businesses rethink raw material management, reduce risk in supply chains, and embed sustainability into corporate strategy.
She reflects, “Without the program, I don’t think I would have had the confidence or the mindset shift necessary to take on projects at this scale.”
For professionals working at the intersection of sustainability and business, Ciara believes the key to success lies in understanding both worlds.
“Sustainability isn’t just about environmental impact—it’s about long-term business success. The leaders who can bridge science and strategy will drive the most meaningful change.”
She also emphasises the role of risk mitigation in sustainability. “Textile supply chains, like many others, are vulnerable to environmental and social disruptions. Leaders anticipating and integrating these risks into business planning will have a major advantage.”
Communicating sustainability in business terms—whether through cost savings, risk reduction, or market differentiation—is critical for driving long-term industry impact.
Expanding Her Network Beyond Sustainability
Before joining the EMBA, most of Ciara’s professional network centered on sustainability and textiles. While valuable, it was somewhat narrow, limiting her exposure to broader business trends and opportunities.
“The UCLA-NUS network expanded my perspective beyond sustainability. Collaborating and learning from professionals in finance, tech, healthcare, and other industries has been incredibly eye-opening.”
These cross-industry insights have helped her think differently about sustainability challenges, identifying new ways to drive change by learning from how other industries approach complex business problems. “Having a network of global business leaders to discuss challenges, career goals, and new ideas with has been invaluable.”
Final Thoughts: A Career-Changing Experience
For Ciara, the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA was a career accelerator that transformed her approach to leadership, sustainability, and business strategy.
“The program gave me the confidence, skills, and network to take on larger-scale projects and think beyond the immediate challenges in my industry.”
For professionals looking to merge sustainability with business leadership, she offers this advice:
“Don’t just focus on the technical side. Understand the business landscape, the financials, and the risks. The ability to bridge both worlds will set you apart.”
And for anyone considering an EMBA?
“Take the leap. You’ll come out of it with a stronger ability to lead, a broader global perspective, and a network that will support you for years.”
Like Ciara Cates, are you ready to take your leadership to the next level? Learn more about the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA today.