Career resources
Profile
Space Initiatives Manager for Global Government Solutions Group, Cisco Systems
By Katie Ford
Humayun Arif
Age: 53
Job Title: Space Initiatives Manager, Global Government Solutions Group
Employer: Cisco Systems, Inc.
Program: MBA, Executive Program, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
Humayun Arif has been instrumental in helping reshape NASA architectures for the next 30 years of space communications. He has played a key role in positioning Cisco Systems as the recognized industry collaborator in NASA's $104 billion Constellation Program to return humans to the moon and to Mars.
This past January, Arif embarked on yet another challenging mission: earning an executive MBA degree from Northwestern University 's Kellogg School of Management. Never mind that he's a recognized expert in his field. Never mind that he's 53 years old and has more than 20 years' experience. Arif says he's in need of some education.
“Over the last few years, it has been readily obvious to me while interacting with Cisco's business units that there is strong interdependence of technical decision-making with business economics. One cannot be performed without the other,” says Arif, who is a space initiatives manager for U.S. civil programs with Cisco Systems' Global Government Solutions Group. “The value of an MBA … has clearly become evident.”
Arif also admits that he is pursuing an executive MBA degree because his leadership skills could use some reinforcement—particularly in formulating strategies, solving problems, and making decisions in a team environment.
