2023 Best & Brightest Executive MBA: Subhash Durga

This profile was included among the Best & Brightest Executive MBAs of 2023 by Poets & Quants for Executives, published on August 2, 2023.

Christian Dominguez was also selected among the Best & Brightest Executive MBAs of 2023 by Poets & Quants for Executives.

Subhash Durga

Age: 40

“Highly motivated, passionate, a continuous learner.”

Hometown: Montgomery, N.J.

Family Members: Wife: Briana Durga and Son: Owen Durga (Born during my time in the Rutgers EMBA Program)

Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy Brazilian jiu jitsu and being a dad to my amazing son Owen.

Undergraduate School and Degree: New Jersey Institute of Technology – BS – Information Technology

Where are you currently working? I recently left a chief operating officer role to share childcare responsibilities for my son and to pursue opportunities in the healthcare industry that provide more potential for work-life balance.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:

Veterans Memorial Committee for Montgomery NJ (2021 – present

Class President of REMBA 2023

2023 – Beta Gamma Sigma

SVP, Network Operations at Lightbox OOH Video Network 2018

Motor Transport Chief – Gulf Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines 2012-2015

Local Security Chief – Gulf Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines 2010-2012

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? After serving in the United States Marine Corps and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, the program has given me the added skillsets needed to transition my military experience to that of an executive leader within Corporate America. The diverse makeup that the Rutgers Executive MBA offers enhanced my ability as a leader and a mentor to those I work with. Leadership is what I am most passionate about, and throughout the journey of obtaining my Executive MBA, I learned different strategies and tactics to lead. I am forever grateful to my peers in my cohort for continuing to inspire me, and the professors who enlightened our minds.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am grateful for the professional development that my previous employers have provided for me and allowing me the creativity and freedom to build departments and lead people. In doing so, I had the opportunity to mentor future leaders who took over these departments. The Marine Corps taught me valuable lessons, and I enjoy being able to apply those learnings to enhance my professional career.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Farrokh Langdana was my favorite professor because he taught the material well and inspired you to learn the importance of what the subjects (Macro and Trade) mean to you personally.  He teaches what is happening today with current examples, which is important because those are the topics of conversation at a high level within organizations.

Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose the Rutgers EMBA program because of the high-quality curriculum and the unique approach that promotes the networking of the students within the program. After attending an open house, I saw the synergy between what I was looking for from an education and an environmental standpoint.  Another reason was the resources provided from a personal growth standpoint, such as having access to an executive coach.

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The biggest lesson I learned, I apply not only to work but everyday life: Focus on your abundant factors, and find the ways you can use them intensely for the betterment of where you work and for those around you.

Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family, and education? On March 18th of 2022, the day before class, my son was born. Being a first-time parent is an overwhelming experience. However, thanks to my classmates, I had notes on what I missed that Saturday, and my study group took time to help me whenever I had questions. My wife and mother-in-law were the true heroes though. Without them, I don’t know how I would have been able to focus on the remaining deliverables for that semester.

What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? I would encourage any student interested in an executive MBA program to do it. A program like the Rutgers Executive MBA program will be immensely valuable in your career growth. I can say that when I wrestled with the decision to do this program, it was because there was a void missing that I wanted to fulfill.  There is a vulnerability factor, but once you step in on that first day, that vulnerability gives way to inspiration. You find your footing easily, and you’ll find your footing professionally as well.

What was your biggest regret in business school? I have no regrets during my time in the EMBA program.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? It is James Reiss because he has a wealth of financial knowledge and executive experience. He is also someone that I enjoyed discussing strategy and approaches on several assignments over the last two years. I learned a lot from him about executive thinking.

What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? The Executive MBA program provided me with the best opportunity to obtain the academic knowledge needed to better myself in my career.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to eventually start a business with my wife by combining both our professional experiences and education to better serve others.  

What made Subie such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?

“I have had several U.S. Marines complete the Rutgers EMBA program, The Powerhouse. All of them have been exceptional students and graduates. Now here is another one, Class President Subie Durga.

Subie has made some remarkable transitions. From the trauma of firefight in Fallujah, Iraq, to the world of technology development. From the rapid-fire, top-down leadership of the Marines to the consensus-driven, matrix-based leadership of an Executive MBA program. He has absolutely excelled in every way.

He is soft spoken, calm, polite, brilliant, and extremely driven. I have been constantly amazed by this man. He is a true testament to the Marines. His support and guidance as class president as The Powerhouse emerged from the Covid Years has been invaluable.”

Professor Farrokh Langdana, Finance and Economics

RBS Dean’s Professor of Business

Director, Rutgers Executive MBA Program