1 July, 2026
Balancing the care of young children while also running a business can make formal professional development feel out of reach. However, Kate Pearce has made that dream a reality, thanks to the flexibility of the QUT Executive MBA.
Kate Pearce is the Executive Director of a thriving leadership development business, Personified, as well as a busy mum, so you might think postgraduate education would be an unlikely priority. Yet, Kate not only aspired to further her professional development, she pursued it wholeheartedly, earning a QUT Executive Master of Business Administration (Executive MBA).
How did Kate achieve this without stepping away from her demanding career? Her story reveals how determination, flexibility, and the right support can turn ambitious goals into reality.
Kate Pearce: Building a business, raising a family, and overcoming the obstacles of time
Kate Pearce, Executive Director, Personified
As a seasoned leadership consultant, Kate empowers organisations through strategic leadership development. With over two decades of experience, she’s worked globally to navigate complexity, foster collaboration, and drive business outcomes. Renowned for enhancing leadership capability and organisational performance, she’s a trusted advisor for long-term success.
Kate’s expertise lies in problem-solving and developing tailored strategies for businesses in complex environments, positioning her as a leading authority in her field. So, when she decided to pursue a postgraduate degree, her goal wasn’t to extend her technical skills but to expand her knowledge and lead her business more effectively.
“While many of us have honed a preferred area of technical expertise, as executive leaders, we can no longer over-rely on our preferred area to successfully navigate today’s rapidly evolving business environments,” she explained.
“So, a broader skill base is critical.”
Balancing professional success with raising a young family, Kate needed a program that offered flexibility without compromising quality.
“I run a business and have a young family, so time is precious in my household,” she said.
Kate found exactly what she was looking for in the QUT Executive MBA, available at QUT's inner-city Brisbane campus. Tailored for busy executives, the program offers a flexible delivery mode, with coursework delivered through intensive classes held from Friday to Sunday once a month across each 8-week teaching period.
Undertaking the program, Kate said, “The Executive MBA has been designed with an executive lifestyle in mind; you come onto campus for three days of the month and then use a hybrid learning structure for the remainder of the program."
“I wouldn't have been able to undertake the program at all without this hybrid approach.”
The power of a cohort: learning from experienced leaders
While the flexible delivery structure of QUT’s Executive MBA was a key reason Kate chose the program, she also praised the focus on experienced executives, saying the cohort became a valuable support network.
“The cohort model is key to the Executive MBA experience,” said Kate.
“It’s like coming into your own Board of Advisors.
“You gain exposure to different industries and styles of thinking that perhaps you wouldn’t have been exposed to in the past.”
Achieve your goals with a flexible Executive MBA
Kate’s story shows that even the busiest professionals can achieve their professional development and leadership aspirations with the right support and structure. Whether you’re managing a business, leading a team or caring for children or relatives, the QUT Executive MBA makes it possible to pursue executive education without compromising your personal or professional responsibilities.
With its flexible hybrid model, dynamic cohort environment, and targeted curriculum, the QUT Executive MBA equips executives with the leadership skills, global networks, and confidence needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.
Ready to take the next step?
Discover how the QUT Executive MBA could transform your leadership journey. Find out more about QUT’s Executive MBA.