Ash Krishna

Ash Krishna describes himself as a curious thinker who loves to learn, always pushing his thinking and challenging himself to grow.

So, it was no surprise that fourteen years after entering the corporate world, armed with a degree in Political Science and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Waikato, he found himself back on campus. This time to complete his Master in Business Administration (MBA).  

Now the National Growth and Delivery Manager at FMG, Ash had already forged a successful career in banking and insurance. But as he stepped into leadership roles, he realised he wanted more.

I got to a stage in my career where I was starting to get pigeonholed into one area. I had lots of ideas and ways to improve processes, but I didn’t always have the skills to get them across the line.  

For Ash, the MBA was initially about gaining credibility. “Because I was younger than many of my peers in leadership, I wanted something that spoke for me before I even walked into the room. But the MBA turned out to be much more than just a title, it fundamentally shifted the way I think about leadership, collaboration and problem solving.”  

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. With a young family at home, Ash had to be intentional about how he managed his time. “I didn’t want my studies to impact family life, so I took ownership of that responsibility. I planned, communicated, and was clear about boundaries. Having a strong support network around me was key, and my employers were brilliant. They encouraged me to apply what I was learning, which helped everything sink in.”  

What stood out most about the MBA, Ash says, was the diversity of thought in the classroom. Over two years, he and his classmates worked on over 30 different real-world problems, collaborating to find solutions.   

The exposure to the MBA topics, taught me to listen better, to build on others’ ideas, and to collaborate at a level I hadn’t experienced before. It really challenged my leadership style. Sometimes, it’s not about pushing your own idea, it’s about knowing when to step back and help others bring theirs to life.

Waikato, he says, was always going to be the right place for this next step. “What I love about the University of Waikato is the lecturers challenge you to think differently. They don’t just teach you how to pass a test, they help you think like a leader.”  

Now, Ash is taking those lessons forward, leading change within his organisation, armed with a new set of tools, confidence, and a fresh leadership perspective.