One year on from the Global Online MBA: Katie Clift

One year on from completing her Global Online MBA, Katie Clift, public relations agency founder, reflects on her time at WBS, and looks to a future where she continues to put her MBA learning into practice to benefit the non-profit sector.

Tell us about yourself and your background prior to the MBA

I have worked internationally on both sides of communications – in the media (radio, television & digital journalism) and as a PR, spokesperson, and corporate affairs executive - for both the private and public sectors for 20 years.

Most recently before starting my agency, may:be, I was Corporate Affairs Manager at the World Economic Forum. I have 15 years of experience as a moderator and commentator, presenting sessions, interviews, and press conferences globally, from the World Economic Forum in Davos to the Union for International Cancer Control’s World Cancer Congress, Warwick Business School panels, international webinars, podcasts, and various in-person and online events.

I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in my 30s, and, after 18 months of active treatment, returned to life and work more determined than ever to bring counter-cultural PR to the forefront, upscaling communications for non-profits globally. This was a major catalyst for me to finish my MBA and use the skills and knowledge to start may:be agency.

What motivated you to apply for an MBA?

Throughout my career working with non-profits, I witnessed growing disparity between the third sector and commercial workplaces.

As salaries provided by non-profits are often not as high as their commercial counterparts, they do not always attract the strongest candidates. Due to the lower wages, it is also more difficult for third sector employees to take on extra educational activities to benefit their organisations. This makes it difficult for employees in the third sector to improve their skills, and in turn for them to improve the work their organisation does and the societal impact it can have.

I decided to start my MBA as I was extremely committed to bettering the not-for-profit sector, with a strong belief in its cause. The MBA upskilled me tremendously and now allows me to give back to this sector through my agency.

What first attracted you to Warwick Business School and why did you ultimately choose to study here?

What attracted me was the high ranking of Warwick Business School as a leading university in Europe. I wanted to ensure I completed my MBA in Europe, having completed my first undergraduate degree in Australia. I was really impressed by the diversification of lecturers and students and wanted to experience study within this type of community. I also chose WBS due to the distance learning option offered by the Global Online MBA (then Distance Learning MBA). I was working full time as Corporate Affairs Manager at the World Economic Forum when I applied, so being able to complete the MBA virtually and within my own time was a big drawcard for me.

 

The MBA experience

What elements of the programme did you value the most?

I loved having the opportunity to dive into topics I had never studied before – in my case, economics, finance and accounting, and strategy. I felt the ability to have a well-rounded knowledge of business across such vast topics was an incredible opportunity and has influenced how I think about business, my work and future going forward.

I also greatly valued the opportunity to complete a research dissertation. Through my dissertation I had the opportunity to write the first thesis in the world identifying the five key success factors for nonprofit public relations internationally. This has become the bedrock framework that I use with all of my clients at may:be agency, it drives the strategy and approach of our business, and I have most recently turned it into a book – The nonprofit PR blueprint!

What was it like studying for an MBA?

It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It was a lot of hard work, particularly as the topics varied so much from what I had previously studied, but I love a challenge and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I would highly recommend anyone considering it, to jump in and go for it! You gain so much personally and professionally from studying an MBA that will impact you in ways you never expected now and into the future.

 

Life after the MBA

Has your MBA helped you with a career transition?

I originally started my MBA with the motivation of upskilling the nonprofit sector. I wanted to improve my skills and improve the work of non-profits globally and the societal impact they can have.

After an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis, I realized I had a new priority regarding both my personal and professional life, and I decided to use the knowledge gained at WBS to start my own public relations agency specifically for nonprofits and international organizations, may:be.

I founded may:be at its core to be counter-cultural PR. may:be is actually two words: a contraction of “what may be”. It’s bold, definitive and results driven. And so is my agency. My team is focused on pushing the boundaries of true possibility in PR, moving the needle from an outdated industry narrative of “maybe it’s possible, maybe we can do it…” to “let’s see what may:be.”

How are you applying the key takeaways from your MBA in your career?

I learned firsthand how to run and manage a small business, so I use knowledge from my MBA every day in the running of may:be agency. Everything from how to manage people, to considering growth and future scale, to development of strategy for my company and our client base, to applying the knowledge on strategy and economics in the public relations and communications work we undertake for clients.

Have you benefited from the network made on your MBA?

Yes, I still benefit from the network created at WBS as I am still heavily engaged in committees, events and with the alumni community. I also took advantage of the Global Mentoring Programme which was invaluable in helping me start my business and expand my network post-study. I benefited greatly from having in my network a mentor through WBS in a different industry from me, able to offer advice and guidance for the next steps for my business. The opportunities to grow different types of networks via the WBS programmes is immense, and I always encourage people to get engaged as much as possible and to grow their network via the MBA wherever they can.

I am now a proud alumna of WBS and a Committee Member on the Warwick Women’s Professional Network – this is testament to how much I appreciated the global community at Warwick Business School. I regularly moderate webinars for WBS, speak on panels at events such as the WBS MBA Alumni conference, and work closely with the Alumni team to help get other students engaged and maximizing the community. The community was one of the most valuable aspects of completing the MBA, especially when it extends beyond the study itself and I am so glad I am such an integrated part of the community post-graduation.

How has life changed since your MBA?

Drastically, both personally and professionally. I have grown an extended network through my cohort and alumni, I have been mentored to launch my own small business, and I use the learnings of the MBA daily in running my agency, may:be. I also think the MBA taught me people skills and life skills beyond the curriculum. I really do feel the entire MBA experience impacted me holistically.

 

Looking to the future

What’s next for you?

may:be agency continues to grow, and we have excitedly just launched our podcast, may:be pod. It’s a weekly podcast designed to help people understand and use public relations effectively. Essentially, it’s a counter-cultural open PR playbook, where we unpack insider public relations knowledge each episode revealing the blueprints we have used with clients over our 20 years of international experience. If you want to know more about public relations and communications, and how to harness them effectively – this podcast was made for you!

 

Advice to anyone considering an MBA

What would you say to someone thinking of applying for your course at WBS?

Don’t hesitate, apply, apply, apply! The life lessons you will glean from the MBA go far beyond the course materials: the experience has the potential to change you as a person and your professional trajectory significantly.

What is the one phrase that sums up your time at WBS?

Growth, opportunity and expansion! These are three vital elements that came out of the WBS MBA that affected my life and work holistically. I cannot recommend WBS highly enough for the experience, the knowledge gained, the communities developed and ongoing opportunities to work with the Alumni team, grow my WBS network and continue to expand my personal and professional world.

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