For our Inspirational Women Shaping The Future Of Business Education series we speak to Nalisha Patel, the Regional Director of Americas and Europe for GMAC.

• Name: Nalisha Patel
• Job title: Regional Director, Americas and Europe
• Institution: GMAC

Nalisha Patel is the Regional Director, Americas and Europe for GMAC. She is responsible for the overall strategy to promote the regions as a destination for studying business education as well as to build pipelines of talent within the countries and support those individuals in their career journey.

Nalisha has more than 15 years of experience in the graduate management education sector. This includes managing the full portfolio as Executive Director of Degree Programmes and Student Experience at London Business School, where she also served as a Governing Body Member. She has also worked with a range of organisations, from multinationals to start-ups, and holds a Degree in Design.

Why do you work in education?

Education is about curiosity and continuous improvement, which deeply resonates with me. I love being part of an industry that encourages learning, growth, and the exchange of ideas-both for individuals and society as a whole.

“Education is about curiosity and continuous improvement”

– Nalisha Patel

What’s the most rewarding part of your role?

Working with business schools, industry leaders, and individuals worldwide gives me access to diverse perspectives, ideas, and approaches. The most rewarding part is connecting these dots-helping shape meaningful collaborations that drive progress in education and industry.

Please tell us about a challenge you’ve overcome to get to where you are today. What did you learn?

One ongoing challenge, especially in a post-pandemic world, is adapting my working style to shifting environments where work and personal boundaries often blur.

I’ve learned that being intentional about how I manage my time and mental capacity is crucial to maintaining balance and avoiding burnout.

Have you ever had a role model? If yes, who? And how have they impacted your career or outlook?

Rather than having one specific role model, I’ve been fortunate to learn from many incredible people-friends, colleagues, and mentors. Each has offered valuable insights, inspiration, and encouragement, shaping my perspective and career in ways I deeply appreciate.

What advice would you give to others to succeed in their careers?

Success is personal, but for me, it has come from building meaningful connections rather than transactional relationships.

People respond to authenticity-so be yourself, engage genuinely, and remember that everyone, no matter their title, is human.

Interested in this series? Keep reading…