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Purpose, Grit & Growth: Kimberly Collins’ MBA & Executive Climb
Editor’s Note: At ThinkMBA, we believe that real leadership is forged not just in classrooms or boardrooms—but in the early mornings, the late-night study sessions, and the unwavering commitment to one’s purpose.
Kimberly Collins’ story is a testament to that kind of grit. Balancing her MBA studies with a demanding leadership role, a mid-career industry pivot, and personal growth, she completed her degree in just nine months—an extraordinary feat powered by structure, resilience, and vision.
Her journey is not about chasing titles. It’s about showing up, leveling up, and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you thought possible.
In a time when many professionals question whether an MBA is “worth it,” Kimberly’s experience reminds us that education is not just about credentials—it’s about clarity, courage, and carving your path with intention.
This is Real Stories—unfiltered, practical, and deeply human.
ThinkMBA (TA): You just completed your MBA at Western Governors University. How do you feel after completing such a milestone? How was the final sprint?
Kimberly Collins (KC): Finishing my MBA in just 9 months felt like exhaling after holding my breath for two years: exhilarating, empowering, and deeply emotional. The final sprint wasn’t just a test of knowledge, it was a full-body push through discipline, strategy, and focus. Between wrapping up simulations, preparing my capstone, and leading at work, I ran on purpose and grit. When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t just earn a degree, I proved to myself that I could do hard things and come out stronger on the other side.
TA: Earning your MBA while working in a leadership role is no small feat, what strategies helped you manage it all?
KC: Structure, intention, and self-compassion. I treated my calendar like a mission plan, every block had meaning, whether it was for meetings, schoolwork, family time, or mental resets. I built routines around early mornings, meal preps, and tech tools that streamlined everything from study sessions to team check-ins. But the real key was giving myself grace, adjusting when life happened, and staying anchored to the belief that showing up consistently mattered more than being perfect.
“It stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also sharpened my adaptability and made every small win feel like a major milestone.”
TA: What were the biggest personal or professional challenges you faced during the MBA journey?
KC: One of the biggest challenges was changing industries midstream. I joined McAdams Group right as I began my MBA, stepping into the financial world after six years in the environmental sector. It felt like learning two new languages at once: compliance, regulations, client profiles, while simultaneously navigating academic theories and assignments. It stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also sharpened my adaptability and made every small win feel like a major milestone.
TA: Can you briefly describe your career path before the MBA, and what it looks like now?
KC: Before the MBA, my career path was built on operational excellence and leadership growth. I started in office management, worked my way up to a regional manager overseeing multiple teams, and learned the art of building efficient, people-first systems. Now, I’ve stepped into executive operations at McAdams Group, and I’m preparing to take on the Chief Operating Officer role. The MBA gave me more than credentials, it gave me clarity, confidence, and the tools to lead from a strategic seat at the table.
TA: Did you encounter any surprising lessons or unexpected experiences?
KC: Absolutely! The biggest surprise was how much mindset matters. I came in expecting business tools and frameworks, but I walked away with an entirely new lens on leadership and decision-making. I also didn’t anticipate how powerful the WGU community would be. Even in a self-paced program, I felt deeply supported, motivated, and encouraged by people I had never met in person. It reminded me that purpose-driven people find each other, even in digital spaces.
“Know your why, and keep it where you can see it. There will be weeks when momentum fades and life feels tooheavy, but your purpose will keep you grounded. Break your goals into bite-sized wins, protect your boundaries like your future depends on it, and never underestimate the power of consistency.“
TA: How are you currently using your MBA in your role as Director of Operations at McAdams Group?
KC: Every single day. Whether it’s optimizing workflows, mentoring staff, interpreting financials, or planning for scale, my MBA shows up in the way I approach challenges and opportunities. I bring data into discussions, strategy into execution, and a big-picture mindset into every decision. It’s not just about theory, it is about translating those lessons into meaningful, measurable results for the business and our clients.
TA: What is your advice for people right in the beginning of their MBA journey?
KC: Know your why, and keep it where you can see it. There will be weeks when momentum fades and life feels too heavy, but your purpose will keep you grounded. Break your goals into bite-sized wins, protect your boundaries like your future depends on it, and never underestimate the power of consistency. This journey will challenge you, grow you, and ultimately reveal a version of you that you didn’t know you were capable of becoming.
