Elymar Apao

I founded a non-profit UX Design community. As a leader and community builder, I realized that design expertise alone isn’t enough to create a lasting impact. I started this over 10 years ago, yet I have not yet made it financially self-sustaining. While I’ve helped many designers through UX Philippines, I also struggled with scaling initiatives and aligning design with business strategy. I chose an MBA to bridge the gap between design, business, and leadership, equipping me with the tools to build, sustain, and scale organizations that drive meaningful change.

I was drawn to GLOBIS because of its emphasis on Kokorozashi—the idea of pursuing a personal mission that creates a meaningful impact. This aligned well with my feeling of having a personal mission in life (which I have not verbalized yet). I want to refine my own Kokorozashi and turn it into something lasting. Another reason is that GLOBIS’ practical, hands-on approach ensures that what I learn can be applied immediately, making a real difference in my work and community. Lastly, its global network of professionals from diverse backgrounds will challenge my thinking and help me expand my impact beyond the Philippines.