MBS unveils 'Made. Not born', a campaign that celebrates transformation

Melbourne Business School has unveiled Made. Not born, a bold new campaign that celebrates the effort, learning and community that shape exceptional leaders.

Dean Professor Jenny George said the campaign, which was developed in collaboration with Principals, honours the people and partnerships that built MBS, and the generations of alumni who continue to make their mark.

“We believe leaders are made, not born. That is why we exist, to help foster better business leaders through our rigorous and transformational programs,” Professor George said.

The school, jointly founded by the University of Melbourne and the country’s biggest businesses including Amcor, Wesfarmers, NAB and BHP, launched Australia’s first Master of Business Administration in 1963.

Since then, its alumni have gone on to lead and transform organisations across the world, including Chemist Warehouse Director Damien Gance, SEEK Co-Founder Andrew Bassat, and Qantas Chair Margaret Jackson AC.

“We don’t just provide the leadership capabilities necessary to navigate a complex and ever-changing business landscape, we connect likeminded people with a global community of driven, fiercely intelligent and curious leaders,” Professor George said.

Damien Gance, who completed his MBA in 2008 said the School gave him the tools to create success.

"When I started at Melbourne Business School, I wasn’t some born business prodigy, I was a pharmacist with a few stores and a bigger dream," he said.

“The School taught me that ambition without action is just noise, and that detail - not luck - is what separates the dreamers from the doers.

“I wasn’t born ready. I was made ready. And MBS was a big part of that.”

COS Co-CEO, Belinda Lyone, who obtained her Senior Executive MBA from the School, said that the community of people she met continues to influence and inspire her.

“You get connected with faculty and peers and you do form these deep connections. And you do use them to draw on professionally as well,” she said.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by this network that you create of people who are subject matter experts in their areas and you can just reach out for a quick pulse check."

Associate Professor of Marketing Samuelson Appau said the campaign resonates with his own story, first arriving at the School as a 23-year-old PhD student and coming full-circle as a member of Faculty.

“I came from a working-class family in Africa, if I didn’t get a scholarship I would not be here. When I look at the opportunities I’ve had to grow my career, none of it is an overnight success, none of it’s self-made, all of it is communally made,” he said.

“It’s changed my life, it’s changed the life of my family and other people that I support. Sometimes you just need a hand.”

Recently crowned the number one business school in three independent rankings including the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the Financial Review BOSS Best Business Schools 2025 and LinkedIn's Top MBA Rankings, the School continues to prove that great leadership is made through purpose and persistence.

Professor George said the recognition reflects the consistency of the School over seven decades and its deep commitment to investing in world-class research.

“This not about anything new we’ve done, but the fact that we’ve consistently invested in having great students and faculty here, having good programs and making sure the value we’re delivering is something that people talk about,” Professor George said.

For Professor George, the campaign also has a personal resonance.

“My father taught me the value of education and the belief that with the right tools, you can carve your own path and make a positive impact,” she said.

“No matter where you are on your journey, or where you come from, you have the power to transform your career and influence change for the next generation.”

To find out more about studying at Melbourne Business School, visit Degree Programs page.