Master of Organisational Leadership: Transforming confident leaders into strategic thinkers

The Master of Organisational Leadership empowers learners to apply sound leadership judgement in real organisational settings. We spoke with two course alumni to learn more about their experience and what makes the program stand out.

Setting the foundation for leadership development

When Georgie Obst and Brad Morcombe enrolled in the Master of Organisational Leadership at Melbourne Business School, they were already well established in their careers and, like many returning to study, they were uncertain about what to expect.

“I hadn’t been in a learning environment like that for a long time,” Georgie, General Manager of Digital at HESTA super fund said.

“I was a little nervous, but I was really blown away by the experience. It was professional, very practical, and straight away I could see how I could apply what was being taught back in the office.

Likewise, Brad, soon found his initial concerns fading as he got to know his cohort.

“Within a day or two, I realised we were all in the same boat and that many of us had come from very similar employment and career backgrounds,” he said.

Brad, who like Georgie works in the superannuation industry as an Executive Manager at Hostplus, recalls an inclusive and supportive course experience.

“Everyone was very welcoming and accommodating, and it was a really trusting, safe environment to work in.”

The value of cohort relationships

Georgie and Brad collaborated closely across all twelve subjects within the Master of Organisational Leadership, and with both opting for the program’s intensive format that’s designed to offer a more immersive learning experience, there was a strong sense of camaraderie within their cohort.

“You wanted to be in the room, and you wanted to get the most out of it that you could,” Georgie said.

“The professors were all incredible, but so too were the people around us. It was an opportunity to learn different leadership approaches, bounce new ideas off each other, and build connections with a really knowledgeable and dynamic group.”

Brad believes that combining the different strengths across the cohort would produce the ideal leader.

“We worked in syndicate groups, to which everyone brought a different element of leadership. Put it all together and you’d have the perfect leader, and those individual strengths made for a very strong team,” he said.

Brad, who graduated from the program in 2023, adds that many in the cohort have since become good friends.

“We have a WhatsApp group of about 30-odd people, and we'll see each other at conferences, seminars, and we’ll even go back to Melbourne Business School from time to time when we get asked to, which is always great.”

A program shaped by industry relevance

Throughout their time at the School, Georgie and Brad saw the program evolve to reflect the changing demands of modern leadership.

“The Faculty consistently brought a leadership perspective to the course, so every subject was approached through a business lens,” said Georgie.

“From corporate finance to mergers and acquisitions, to whatever might have real-world relevance, they found ways to make every topic resonate.”

For Georgie, who spent much of her career in marketing before pivoting into digital, one of the most valuable aspects was how the School approached data and analytics in a business context.

“The question was always: what does a leader need to know when they walk into a boardroom?” she said.

“How do you digest the information when someone on your team throws you a lot of data? What do you need to think about? It was all very practical and grounded in real decision-making scenarios.”

Brad was similarly impressed by the program customisation.

“The course was very contemporary in its structure, and the Faculty were able to tailor the content to what was happening in industry at the time.”

Career growth through shared experience

Georgie graduated in 2024 and, like Brad, speaks warmly about the program’s teaching and cohort experience.

“The people I met during the program and got to learn alongside were everything I'd hoped for. Our cohort brought different perspectives to the course, and that diversity of thinking genuinely shifted how I approach leadership,” she said.

“I have a network I can call on for a sounding board, a fresh perspective, or simply the reassurance that someone else has navigated something similar.”

Building on Georgie’s perspective, Brad highlighted how the Master of Organisational Leadership has made him a better leader.

“Meeting so many amazing, high-powered people through the program meant I could cherry-pick from different styles and approaches. I’d think, I haven’t considered doing it that way before, maybe that’s a different approach I could use to get a better result,” he said.

“Even in our syndicate groups, I gained valuable insights into how other people approached problem solving. It broadened my horizon and gave me new perspectives and ideas for tackling different leadership challenges.”

Georgie and Brad’s advice for future students

Georgie’s advice to future students is to get as much out of the program as possible.

“It’s a real commitment, so you’ve got to be aware of what that means from a time perspective, but it’s so worth it,” she said.

Highlighting the program’s focus on both personal development and career growth, Georgie said it encouraged her to think bigger and pursue new opportunities.

“I was given the opportunity in my career to think about changing… I transitioned from marketing to digital, and although there is a connection there, it was still a big step,” she said.

“But having done this course, it gave me the confidence to say, ‘Yeah, I can lead a technical team.’ That’s what the Master of Organisational Leadership does; it builds that confidence.”

Brad encouraged students to not only commit fully to the program, but also to see it as an opportunity to network and open new doors.

“Since graduating, I’ve been invited back to alumni events at Melbourne Business School to share my experiences, and in 2025 I returned to present to the current cohort during the mergers and acquisitions subject,” he said.

With almost two decades of leadership experience in superannuation and a strong understanding of corporate takeovers and acquisitions, Brad brought a wealth of industry knowledge as well as his own unique experience gained through the course.

“I was able to relate that to the skill sets and content from the subject, as well as other areas of the program,” he said.

For Brad, the experience highlights the value of networking and the opportunities it can create beyond graduation.

Made. Not born.  Georgie and Brad’s interpretations.

Georgie believes Made. Not Born reflects both the inclusivity of Melbourne Business School and the idea of nature versus nurture.

“I’ve always found the nature versus nurture debate fascinating. How much of who you become is shaped by what you’re born with, versus the environment around you?” she said.

“It’s about the environments you choose to put yourself in, and how they help shape who you want to become.

“I think you can be intentional about that. The places you learn, and the people you learn with and from. That’s what really stands out about Melbourne Business School. It gives you the opportunity to become the person you want to be.”

For Brad, Made. Not Born is reflected in his experience throughout the course.

“Looking back, I came in with some natural leadership traits and a strong value system, but the program helped refine and develop that further, “he said.

“What I found was that I was able to become a better version of myself as both a leader and a person. It challenges you to reflect on how you’re operating, whether you’re truly leading or just managing, and gives you the tools to change that.”

Master of Organisational Leadership - Next Intake: September 2026 (Applications close 17 August 2026)