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11
Aug

Empowered to Innovate: Ravi Iyer’s Story of Growth Through the SSBM Global DBA

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Blog > Empowered to Innovate: Ravi Iyer’s Story of Growth Through the SSBM Global DBA

We are proud to present our successful alumnus Ravi Iyer. He is an experienced Senior Project Manager and Team Lead at Lionbridge Technologies LLP. With a background in business administration and a track record of leading global teams, he pursued the Global DBA at SSBM to deepen his strategic and research capabilities.

ssbm dba ačumnus

Tell us about your professional journey so far, and why you decided to pursue the DBA at SSBM Geneva?

I began my career with a bachelor’s in business administration and entered program management at Lionbridge Technologies LLP. Today, I serve as Senior Project Manager Team Lead at Lionbridge, leading a global team of 50. As I advanced in leadership, I realized I wanted to pair hands-on experience with cutting-edge research to drive strategic transformation. SSBM’s fully online Global DBA—with its flexible schedule, international faculty, and applied-research focus—was the perfect fit to deepen my expertise without stepping away from my professional responsibilities.

How did the Global DBA curriculum and learning experience at SSBM impact your work?

The GDBA curriculum balanced rigorous theory, real-world case studies, and original research. Weekly live seminars and collaboration with a diverse cohort honed my critical thinking and cross-cultural communication. I applied research frameworks directly to my work—leading process improvements and piloting AI-driven initiatives. These outcomes not only elevated my team’s performance but also strengthened my leadership skills, enabling me to implement scalable, data-driven solutions at Lionbridge.

In what ways did SSBM prepare you to lead impactful initiatives at Lionbridge?

SSBM’s emphasis on evidence-based leadership taught me both what to lead and how to lead. Advanced modules in research methods, change management, and digital innovation equipped me to diagnose complex challenges and design targeted interventions. For example, my capstone on AI integration in multilingual workflows spurred the development of a glossary-automation platform at Lionbridge, boosting translation accuracy by 20%. The program’s global best-practice insights also refined my ability to manage cross-regional stakeholders and align initiatives with corporate strategy.

What advice would you give to current and prospective DBA students?

  • Master Time Management: Carve out dedicated “research hours” weekly and protect them as you would any critical meeting.
  • Engage Your Network: Build relationships with peers and faculty—these connections often blossom into valuable research or business partnerships.
  • Choose Impactful Research: Focus on topics that address real challenges in your organization; this keeps you motivated and ensures immediate applicability.
  • Stay Curious & Resilient: Doctoral research can be unpredictable. Celebrate milestones—such as publishing a paper or presenting at a seminar—and learn from any setbacks. The rigor ultimately enhances your strategic credibility.

The SSBM Global DBA empowered Ravi to turn academic insight into real-world results, driving innovation, strengthening leadership, and delivering measurable impact at Lionbridge Technologies. Designed for working professionals, the online program gave him the flexibility to advance his education without pausing his career. Through applied research, global best practices, and expert faculty support, Ravi gained the tools to lead strategic transformation across borders. For ambitious leaders, the SSBM Global DBA isn’t just a degree, it’s a powerful investment in future-ready leadership and meaningful change.

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