DBA: A Transformative Journey
Earning a Doctor of Business Administration is an academic achievement forged through a deep, introspective, and sometimes grueling journey. The intensity is high. This process can demand sacrifice, inspire self-reflection, and stand on the foundation of an unshakable commitment to continuous learning. The DBA journey is similar to a marathon, a road race that requires endurance and discipline. It requires the ability to balance work, life, and unexpected surprises along the way.
Today, I will graduate! And this afternoon, during our hooding ceremony, I am honored to take the stage as the commencement speaker. What an incredible moment to conclude my time at UNC Charlotte by representing the DBA Program at the Belk College of Business. This evening, we commemorate our doctoral journeys, celebrate our achievements, and step forward into the next chapter, armed with the knowledge, skills, and networks that have reshaped us personally and professionally.
I set out on this path to gain a formal education in strategic change. What I discovered through my research was not what I expected. The learning process challenged my assumptions, reshaped my perspective, and ultimately changed how I view strategic planning and organizational transformation, work I had done in industry for the preceding 15 years.
When I began my DBA journey, I was the chief operating officer of an international professional services firm based in the DC metro area. As I cross the finish line, I do so as the Academic Director of the Executive DBA Program at the University of Houston. This evolution is more than a title change. It represents the power of the DBA to open doors, create new possibilities, and inspire reinvention.
The DBA experience has been nothing short of transformative. It has sharpened my thinking, expanded my professional network, and led to opportunities I could never have predicted when I started. More importantly, it has reinforced the value of intellectual curiosity, perseverance, and the courage to evolve.
I offer a loud CONGRATULATIONS to my cohort and all other Spring 2025 doctoral graduates!
We’ve put in the work, embraced the challenge, and emerged changed. As we step into this next chapter, may we continue to learn, lead, and redefine what’s possible.
Cheers to the journey.
Dr. Amy C. Horner, CPA, is a change ambassador, innovation enthusiast, and international speaker recognized for her thought leadership in career growth, professional development, and leadership. As Professor of Practice and Academic Director of the Executive DBA Program at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business, she blends executive experience with academic rigor to equip DBA scholars with the strategies to thrive in their doctoral journey.
A former COO and CFO, Amy has led organizations through transformative growth, driving innovation, expanding market share, and enhancing financial performance. She is also a co-founder of DBA Chronicles, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and industry.
An award-winning leader, Amy has been recognized as one of Ignition’s Top 50 Women in Accounting and a Top Leadership Voice on LinkedIn. She holds a doctorate in business administration from UNC Charlotte, an MBA from Penn State University, and a bachelor’s in accounting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she was a student-athlete on the university’s first PSAC Championship Women’s Varsity Soccer Team.
Bridging Two Worlds: The Scholar-Practitioner Shift of the DBA Balancing Academic Rigor with Practical Application
