Wes Krenz earned his Iowa MBA to become a better leader—and gained the perspective to lead through technological disruption.
Leading beyond the familiar
Wes Krenz wasn’t looking for a promotion. As assistant director of credit operations at NCMIC, he already enjoyed his work and the team he led. What he wanted was something deeper—a way to become a stronger leader, make better decisions, and broaden his perspective beyond the day-to-day demands of his role.
“I wanted to become a better leader,” Wes says. “I needed something that was more in-depth.
At a time when technology, artificial intelligence, and new ways of working are reshaping industries, Wes knew leadership required more than technical expertise. He wanted to become the kind of leader who could confidently navigate change rather than simply react to it.
That’s why he chose the Iowa MBA.
The right fit at the right time
With a young family at home and a full-time career, Wes needed a program that could fit into an already busy life. The flexibility of the Iowa MBA allowed him to continue growing as a leader while remaining present for the commitments that mattered most.
“The flexibility allowed me to not just be accountable for my family and all the other commitments, but I was also present.”
A bigger view of business
One of the biggest surprises of the Iowa MBA was the variety of perspectives in the classroom.
Wes found himself learning alongside professionals from industries he knew little about and from locations far beyond the Midwest. In one course, classmates joined discussions from Italy and Korea, bringing different experiences and viewpoints to every conversation.
“It was amazing to see the diversity within the classrooms and every industry that you could imagine,” he says.
The experience challenged Wes to think beyond the world of credit operations and exposed him to new approaches to leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Learning to lead through change
Today, nearly every organization is navigating rapid technological change.
Artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies continue to transform how businesses operate and how leaders make decisions. For Wes, one of the greatest strengths of the Iowa MBA was preparing students for just such disruptions.
“One of the areas that was a super strength in the Iowa MBA was how to lead through change,” he says.
The lessons extended far beyond technology. The program helped him think more strategically, ask better questions, and help others adapt to change.
“The Iowa MBA gave me a higher level of thinking,” he says. “Not just as a leader, but becoming a thought leader for the teams that I am leading.”
Those skills continue to shape how he approaches leadership today.
Learning from the best
The impact of the program was reinforced by the people leading it.
“The faculty at the Iowa MBA is unparalleled and unmatched.”
Wes credits faculty with creating a learning environment that challenged students while understanding the demands of work, family, and grad school.
Their expertise spanned industries and connected directly to real-world challenges, allowing Wes to put what he learned into practice almost immediately. "There would be times in class where I would be able to put what I had just received within that education to work the very next day within my current profession."
Undeniable growth
Looking back, Wes sees the value of the Iowa MBA in more than a credential. The program strengthened his leadership abilities, expanded his perspective, and gave him the confidence to navigate change as a stronger decision-maker and strategic thinker.
For Wes, that’s a true return on investment. Becoming the kind of leader who’s ready for what’s next.