Pepita van den Heiligenberg, CAS in General Management

Originally from the Netherlands, Pepita van den Heiligenberg, 39, has been living in Switzerland for almost ten years and divides her time between Zurich and Flims. With more than twelve years of experience at the intersection of technology, strategy and people, she has held a range of transformation and leadership roles at organisations including Capgemini, Accenture and UBS. She is particularly interested in how organisations can drive sustainable change and successfully bring people along on that journey.

To further develop her leadership and management capabilities, she completed the CAS in General Management at the University of Zurich’s Executive Education program. Alongside her professional work, she volunteers to support the well-being of senior members of the community. In her free time, she enjoys travelling and has a keen interest in art, music, sport and psychology.

Throughout my career, I have gradually taken on greater responsibility, both for strategic initiatives and for leading teams. Over time, I realised that effective leadership goes far beyond technical expertise. In transformation projects especially, it is not enough to understand the right technological solution. The real challenge lies in bringing people along, aligning different interests and providing direction in complex situations.

By the time I started the CAS, I had already gained extensive experience in digital transformation. At the same time, I wanted to broaden my perspective beyond my own area of expertise and complement my practical experience with a solid understanding of general management.

It was also important for me to further develop my leadership capabilities. My goal was not only to become a better leader, but also to gain a deeper understanding of how organisations operate as a whole and how change can be facilitated more effectively. I wanted to support people not only professionally but also in their personal development. The CAS gave me the opportunity to strengthen exactly these competencies.

What convinced me most was the combination of modules. Topics such asStrategic Management, Leadership, Corporate Entrepreneurship und Digital Transformation complement one another perfectly and provide a holistic view of organisations.

Equally important to me was the combination of academic rigour and practical relevance. I was not looking for a purely theoretical program; I wanted to gain insights that I could apply directly in my professional life. That is exactly what I found in the CAS.

Another decisive factor was the possibility of extending the CAS into a DAS or MAS program at a later stage. This flexibility provides valuable long-term development opportunities and further reinforced my decision.

For me, the CAS was unique because it does not view management in isolation. The different modules are interconnected and demonstrate how strategy, leadership, innovation and digital transformation influence one another. This creates a far more comprehensive understanding of how organisations function and why certain decisions are made.

I was also impressed by the calibre of the lecturers and the intensive exchange with participants from a wide range of industries. This diversity enriched many discussions, exposed me to new perspectives and continued to make me reflect well beyond the classroom.

One of the most important insights for me was that there is no single “right” leadership style. Different teams, situations and objectives require different approaches to leadership. In the past, I viewed leadership more as a personal strength. Today, I see it as a capability that must be adapted to the context.

Sometimes it is important to make clear decisions and provide direction. In other situations, it is more effective to delegate responsibility and empower people to develop their own solutions. This more nuanced perspective has had a lasting impact on the way I lead.

I was equally struck by the insight that successful digital transformation is first and foremost a cultural and organisational challenge. Technology can enable change, but lasting success only comes when people understand, embrace and actively contribute to it.

What I found particularly valuable was the strategic perspective that developed across all modules. The CAS helped me realise that successful organisations do not make decisions in isolation; they view strategy, innovation, leadership and organisational culture as interconnected elements of a broader system.

In particular, working with strategic frameworks broadened my perspective. I gained a deeper understanding of the role played by clear priorities, deliberate risk-taking and long-term strategic thinking.

The various models and case studies also helped me better understand entrepreneurial decision-making and the connections between different areas of an organisation.

The CAS sharpened my understanding of myself as a leader and transformation specialist. I am more confident in my role today and approach decisions from a broader strategic perspective.

In the past, I tended to view change primarily through the lens of individual projects. Today, I think more in terms of systems and interdependencies: how do strategy, organisational culture, leadership and innovation influence the long-term success of an organisation? This entrepreneurial mindset now informs all of my professional decisions.

At the same time, the program reinforced my belief that successful leadership is about developing people, building trust and shaping sustainable change together.

During my time at UBS, I was involved in several transformation initiatives related to artificial intelligence. These projects were not only about technology; they were also about bringing together different stakeholders, aligning objectives and implementing change across the organisation.

The CAS helped me approach management decisions from a more strategic perspective and facilitate discussions among diverse stakeholder groups more effectively. Looking back, I realised that I was able to structure workshops more clearly, explain complex issues more effectively and guide discussions in a more focused way. As a result, I became more confident in my role as a transformation manager.

I am currently in an exciting phase of reflecting on how I would like to use my experience going forward. I am particularly interested in areas such as leadership development, coaching, organisational change and the responsible use of new technologies. My goal is to make a positive contribution, whether by supporting organisations through transformation or by helping individuals in their personal and professional growth.

The CAS continues to support me in this transition. It has enhanced my strategic mindset and given me greater confidence in tackling complex issues from a holistic perspective.

Whatever path I choose in the future, I want to help organisations and people navigate change successfully and sustainably. That is where I see the greatest value in my experience to date.

The exchange with fellow participants was one of the most valuable aspects of the program for me. We came from very different industries and functions, which meant that we often viewed the same challenges through completely different lenses. This enriched our discussions and encouraged me to question my own assumptions.

I particularly enjoyed the group projects. Depending on the module, we worked on academic questions, case studies or practical presentations. This variety demonstrated that there is rarely only one correct solution. The interdisciplinary nature of these interactions broadened my perspective on management and reinforced the importance of actively considering different viewpoints in decision-making.

The biggest challenge was undoubtedly balancing the program with a demanding full-time role. During intensive project phases in particular, it required strong time management and clear prioritisation.

Looking back, however, this was also one of the most valuable learning experiences. I learned to set priorities more consciously, work more efficiently and manage my time more effectively. At the same time, the CAS reinforced the importance of continuous learning, even alongside a demanding career. It was a growth experience both professionally and personally.

Absolutely.

The CAS met – and in many respects exceeded – expectations. It not only provided me with new professional insights, but also strengthened my strategic thinking and deepened my understanding of leadership.

What I valued most was the combination of academic knowledge and practical application. I was able to transfer many of the concepts directly into my professional context. I would choose the program again without hesitation.

I would recommend the CAS to professionals and managers who want to strengthen their management capabilities and gain a more holistic understanding of organisations. It is particularly valuable for individuals who already have professional experience and wish to combine that experience with a solid foundation in management theory and practice.

The combination of strategy, leadership, innovation and digital transformation provides an excellent foundation for understanding complex challenges and making well-informed decisions. At the same time, the exchange with fellow participants creates value that extends far beyond the individual modules.

Further information about the CAS in General Management can be foundhere.