Shelley Vandenberg wanted to meet new people and learn different business perspectives to advance her career. She aspired to develop a strong professional network to grow with a global audience of learners. So, Shelley made time to earn her Executive MBA at the University of Fredericton (UFred). It’s an investment in herself that fundamentally changed how she thinks and leads.
Making valuable time for growth
An EMBA had long been on Shelley’s bucket list. The challenge was logistics and time restraints. Rather than putting her life on hold, Shelley chose UFred’s flexible, online format.
“I thrive through online programs," she says. "I knew I could study whenever I needed: morning, lunchtime, evenings, weekends. That kept me from being overwhelmed.”
Once the program began, Shelley realized she wasn’t just able to manage time—she learned how to master it.
“What I learned is how much time you waste...or how much time you actually have when you get clear on your priorities. That was a huge gift," Shelley says.
Group work happened in the evenings and on weekends. Classes fit around business meetings. Assignments always got done.
“You can always find the time," she says. "You just have to value your time.”
A new role and a new way of thinking
About a year after graduating, Shelley was offered her first CEO role. She credits UFred's EMBA for opening that door.
“Sometimes an MBA is the price of admission for a new opportunity," she says. "I had other aspirations, and the program helped me reach them.”
Shelley now leads a national firm, Bromwich + Smith, helping Canadians overcome debt. She guides people through some of the most difficult financial moments of their lives. Her time investment continues to pay off for her both personally and professionally.
“My experience at UFred has made a tremendous impact," Shelley says. "It taught me the value of time. This program will change how you think, and that changes everything.”
Today, her UFred degree hangs above her desk as a reminder of what she made time for.
“I look at it every day with pride. When people come by, I always point to it. I did that.”
More than a degree: a mindset shift
Shelley wanted more than a piece of paper and that’s exactly what she got from UFred.
“Completing an EMBA has always been one of my bucket list items—not just to say I did it, but because I really wanted to pursue a higher level of personal and leadership development,” she says.
The EMBA became a mindset shift for Shelley. She saw new perspectives that changed her way of thinking through global connections with other ambitious professionals. She left every course with something she could immediately apply in life.
“I saw a return after every course. It changed how I work and how I think. It fundamentally changed how I lead, how I solve problems and how I mentor.”
Making time for what matters
Shelley understands how daunting it can feel to go back to school mid-career. For those wondering if they can make it work, she offers this advice:
“Don’t hold back. Just go for it. Regardless of your age, you're never too old to take this leap of faith in yourself and make an investment in yourself.”
For Shelley, UFred’s MBA program has been nothing short of life changing. And it can be for you, too.
“It will truly change your life. It changed mine," she says. "I've had a lot of different life experiences, but this is one that I take with me wherever I go.”