George Khalife ’24 MBA

Finding the true value of an Executive MBA 

When George Khalife moved to Chicago four years ago, he didn’t intend to get an MBA. 

As the former vice president of U.S. Capital Formation at the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) located in Chicago, he helped startups and growth-stage companies in the Midwest access public venture capital in Canada, guiding them through the complexities of going public.

Though his path to this role was winding, George had a background in finance and dedicated himself to learning along the way. “Education is something no one can take away from you,” his father often told him — a philosophy that George took to heart throughout his life.

Yet, prior to Kellogg, George was skeptical about the value of an MBA. “I was one of those people who used to say, ‘You don’t need an MBA.’ To be honest with you, I think the one thing that really surprised me is how valuable the MBA actually is.”

Born in Lebanon and raised across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Canada, George grew up surrounded by different cultures, backgrounds, and religion. When he did decide to pursue an MBA, a focus on global perspectives was incredibly important. “I grew up with people from all sorts of different countries,” he says. “That to me mattered a lot.”`

Now, through the Executive MBA Program, he’s formed strong relationships with leaders from around the world. “These are not just networks. These are friendships,” he says.

The Business Gym: Strengthening Leadership Muscles

George often compares his experience in business school to going to the gym. The program starts with foundational skills — finance, operations, accounting — before moving into deeper specialized work in leadership and strategy.

One of his most memorable “training” moments was a crisis management simulation where several students played C-suite executives facing a PR disaster, while their classmates acted as journalists at a press conference. “I was sweating — and I wasn’t even the one presenting!” he laughs.

That time at the “business gym” pays off. George sees tangible returns on his MBA investment every day — whether in structuring efficient meetings, amplifying voices on his team or refining his leadership style. “Every time I'd have a circumstance come up, I would have this mental connection back to the classroom or a situation I had with a peer, and immediately I would think, ‘[There] is actually a way I can do it better.’”

Wearing the Kellogg Jersey

For George, being a Kellogg leader isn’t just about professional success — it’s about showing up with integrity and supporting those around him. He sees his MBA cohort and the rest of the Kellogg community as a team, each member metaphorically wearing a “Kellogg jersey.”

“As I go through the process and after I graduate, along with all of my peers, we're all metaphorically wearing that Kellogg jersey, right? Meaning that we now not just represent Kellogg and everything it means today but also all the history,” he says. 

As George continues his career, one thing is clear: his Kellogg experience has reinforced not just his technical expertise but also his continued drive to show up for his community. Thankfully, there are a lot of other people wearing Kellogg jerseys who will show up for him as well.

“You have the backing of this crew, this massive network behind you that says, ‘Hey, I went through this with you. And I know what it took for you to be here. Let's go on this ride together.’”