9 May, 2025
Living in a rural area or balancing the care of young children while also running a business can make formal professional development feel out of reach. However, Kate and Scott have 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).
On the other side of the country in regional Western Australia, Scott Duff also yearned to hone his leadership skills. With no postgraduate educational institutions nearby and a team to lead, it seemed he’d have to sacrifice something to make that dream come true. Yet, he, too, earned an Executive MBA without having to move interstate or step back from his leadership role at Cleanaway.
How did Kate and Scott achieve such incredible feats without stepping away from their demanding careers? Their stories reveal 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 in Brisbane and Canberra. Tailored for busy executives, the program offers a unique flexible delivery mode, with coursework delivered through intensive weekend classes held monthly in Brisbane and bi-monthly in Canberra, spread over an 8-week teaching period.
Undertaking the program in Brisbane, 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.”
Scott Duff: Leading a team, living regionally, and achieving his goals
Scott Duff, Manager, Industrial & Waste Services, Southern Queensland at Cleanaway Waste Management
While Kate studied at QUT’s Brisbane campus, Scott pursued the QUT Executive MBA in Canberra in 2020. While he is now Manager of Industrial and Waste Services for Southern Queensland at Cleanaway Waste Management, throughout the duration of his Executive MBA studies, Scott was the General Manager of Tidal Solutions while living in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Scott’s team relied on him for strategic direction and his operational leadership. Like Kate, he was eager to take his leadership and business skills to the next level so he could better support and lead his team. However, his challenge was an entirely different beast.
“I didn’t want a fully remote course, but living in regional WA meant I had no access to local postgraduate institutions,” said Scott.
With no nearby options for further study and a team that relied on his guidance, pursuing executive education seemed like it would require significant sacrifices — either relocating or stepping back from his leadership responsibilities.
Like Kate, Scott found that the evening in-person classes offered by many institutions for flexibility didn’t work for him. The long commute to each class would mean more time spent travelling than learning, so he needed a more innovative approach.
That’s when he discovered QUT’s Executive MBA. While Scott couldn’t commit to the long weekend classes per month in Brisbane, he found the adjusted schedule of the Executive MBA in Canberra perfectly aligned with his needs.
“The flexibility of QUT’s Executive MBA made it possible for me to complete the program while living in WA,” said Scott.
“Intensives were held on one weekend every 8 weeks in Canberra, which allowed me to balance work and home life.”
“The mix of face-to-face and remote learning worked really well for me, as well” Scott added.
Designed for a national cohort, the Canberra option allows interstate professionals to fly in for the weekend and return to work with minimal disruption., making it an ideal solution for those seeking a flexible delivery structure without sacrificing the valuable in-person study experience. Participants can engage face-to-face and connect with highly motivated, experienced professionals and senior leaders from across Australia.
The power of a cohort: learning from experienced leaders
While the flexible delivery structure of QUT’s Executive MBA was a key reason why Kate and Scott chose the program, both also praised the focus on experienced executives, saying the cohorts 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.”
Scott agreed, saying, “The Canberra program attracts an experienced cohort, and by completing the intensive program together, we built a strong bond.
“It’s essentially given me my own advisory board that I can call on to talk through challenges.”
Achieve your goals with a flexible Executive MBA
Kate and Scott’s stories show that even the busiest professionals can achieve their professional development and leadership aspirations, no matter where they are in Australia, with the right support and structure. Whether you’re managing a business, leading a team, caring for children or relatives, or navigating the challenges of a regional or remote lifestyle, QUT’s 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 Brisbane and Canberra Executive MBA programs.