Joshua Gayman completed his Advanced Certificate for Executives and his Executive Certificate in Digital Business in 2023. We sat down with Joshua, Fund Manager at Easy Button Capital, to learn more about his experience at MIT and the practical applications of Executive Education in his finance business.
Why did you choose MIT Sloan?
JG: There are a lot of a lot of great programs out there. MIT Sloan was really a strategic choice driven by a desire to immerse myself in a culture of intellectual curiosity and innovation. The school's motto, Mens et Manus, resonated with my passion for turning ideas into action and really complemented a pursuit of practical application, especially in my field.
MIT offered a unique platform to really expand my professional network and connect with industry leaders. I created tons of invaluable relationships with the course cohorts and world class faculty.
MIT aligned with all of my career and personal aspirations. My experience confirmed MIT Sloan as an ideal setting for growth as a leader in such a dynamic business landscape that we're in.”
Joshua Gayman completed his MIT Advanced Certificate for Executives in 2023
What did you take away from the Digital Business courses?
JG: During Digital Learning Strategy and Business Implications of Extended Reality (XR), I learned from Paul McDonagh-Smith. Paul really is an icon for all the great things MIT has to offer. Digital business, VR, and XR are changing everything.
To give you an example, I was just in New York last week, and we captured an entire building project in 360-degree video. On Monday, we sent it over to our investors who put on the VR headsets we’ve equipped them with so they can virtually tour the building from their office. We’re able to give our investors an immersive experience from across the country. That’s just one way that we are now using XR and VR in a practical way to really capture and create value for shareholders.
Testing new technology at MIT Sloan Executive Education
What were your first courses you took at MIT Sloan Executive Education?
JG: My first course was an online, asynchronous learning course, Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and Application. It was fantastic! It really demystified how we can use blockchain in things like property technology. I found that very valuable. Then, my next class was an in-person week-long course, the famous Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP). Bill Aulet, Paul Cheek, and everyone at the Martin Trust Center were fantastic. I’ve done both the asynchronous and live online. I did online classes but also tried to take advantage of in-person courses as I could really immerse myself in the culture. All of those experiences were just world-class fantastic.
Which course did you find most impactful?
JG: It would be so hard to pick a favorite! One of the things that stood out for me what building a company in one week at EDP with a team. I was the only person on our team from the United States and I'm still in contact with all of those people. I just had the opportunity to be a reference for a major round of funding for one of my classmates in the program.
Also, there was a global management cohort during Global Executive Academy (GEA) last summer, and you know that's a 2-week experience where you're in Boston. That was a phenomenal experience. I took every chance I got to interact with the cohort and faculty. I've even taken advantage of executive coaching with one of the professors, and that's been really valuable and really practical for my business.
Do you keep in touch with past participants?
JG: During the week of EDP, I made friends across the world from my cohort that I keep in touch with regularly. I also took the Global Executive Academy last summer. During that course, we went up to Harvard Square and put a ‘Tim the Beaver’ there. People are constantly getting together. Even last week when I was in Boston, somebody from the cohort drove up from Rhode Island to have dinner with me. Another time, other people from the cohort said they were in London for a conference if anyone wanted to meet up, and suddenly the group chat blew up with pictures of them hanging out.
Joshua Gayman and colleagues from Global Executive Academy
What is next for you and your business? How did MIT help you on that trajectory?
JG: We're in an interesting place with the real estate markets right now, both with technology innovation as well as what’s going on financially. We’re just trying on a daily basis to be better managers. MIT helped me to grow and really help people, especially when they are investing in our company. We’re able to be stewards for our investors, applying the technology and innovation where we can and really having an astute understanding of what’s happening in the marketplace.
What would you say to someone considering taking courses at MIT Sloan Executive Education?
JG: It is a well-rounded experience. I wanted to be become a better manager. I wanted to understand finance better. Being able to take MIT programs, where modern finance was developed, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
There was a blend of finance and entrepreneurship that was really cool. I think anybody that can go through the program is going to be blown away at the people they meet, the professors, the quality of the content, and how practical it is!