Alumni Series #4

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Ishan Gupta’s journey spans more than 15 years, crossing countries, industries, and roles. But it all started with a love for solving problems through technology. In his early days as a software developer at Infosys, working across India and Dubai, he was focused on building digital banking systems. But it wasn’t just about writing code. It was about understanding how systems work, how to build for scale, and how structure brings clarity to chaos.

Years later, when he stepped into his first MBA classroom at Great Lakes, he felt a shift. The room was filled with people from completely different industries—each bringing their own perspective to the same problem. That day, he realised something important: he had entered a space where being an expert in one area wasn’t enough. It was time to become a learner again.

The MBA turned out to be a turning point. The classroom sharpened his thinking, but it was the conversations with classmates from tech, finance, healthcare, and startups that truly widened his horizons. Working on real-world problems with such a diverse group of people made him more open, more collaborative, and more strategic in how he approached challenges.

Some lessons from that time have stayed with him ever since. He learned that a good strategy is about cutting through the noise and focusing on what really matters. That data becomes powerful only when the right questions are asked. And that relationships are not just about networking—they are about growing together. One quote from Dean Dr. Bala V Balachandran left a deep impression on him: “Your network is your net worth.”

Today, Ishan is based in Dublin and works as a Senior Manager at Google. He leads a team of over 20 digital marketing specialists across three offices. He works closely with sales teams to support some of Google’s largest advertisers in Central Europe and Italy. His current focus is helping clients and teams navigate the rapid changes brought by AI and automation in digital advertising. In his view, the goal isn’t just to adapt—it’s to shape the future.

When asked what changed after the MBA, Ishan says his ambition remained the same. But the way he leads changed completely. He moved from being someone who focused on execution to someone who leads with curiosity, humility, and clarity. For him, real leadership is not just about solving problems—it’s about asking better questions, helping others grow, and embracing complexity as a chance to learn.

Looking back, he feels grateful—for the lessons, for the friendships, and for the transformation from a coder to a coach, from a contributor to a leader.