BMI Executive Institute proudly celebrated the graduation of the Executive MBA Class of 2026 in Vilnius, marking an important milestone for a cohort that has completed a demanding 15-month leadership journey.
The ceremony brought together graduates, families, friends, faculty, academic partners, alumni, and members of the wider BMI community. It was a moment to recognise not only academic achievement, but also the dedication, resilience, and ambition that carried the participants through the programme.
For the graduates, this milestone marks the completion of an intense learning experience shaped by international faculty, practical projects, peer exchange, and leadership development. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter as members of the BMI Executive Institute alumni community.
Jurga Bendikaitė-Ursavaş, Director General of BMI Executive Institute, led the ceremony and addressed the graduating class, reflecting on the journey, the support behind each graduate, and the importance of carrying the learning forward into future decisions, organisations, and communities.
This year’s graduation ceremony included a particularly meaningful academic moment: for the first time, three deans stood together on stage to present the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievements.
BMI was honoured to welcome:
🔸 Prof. Dominique Rouziès, Academic Dean of BMI Executive Institute and Professor at HEC Paris
🔸 Prof. Asta Kyguolienė, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management at Vytautas Magnus University
🔸 Prof. Matthieu de Nanteuil, Dean of Louvain School of Management
Their presence reflected the strength of BMI’s academic partnerships and the international foundation of the Executive MBA programme.
The moment became even more exceptional as three graduates received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievements, each completing the programme with the same outstanding grade average!
The ceremony also welcomed distinguished guests and partners who joined BMI on stage to recognise this year’s graduates and award winners:
🔸 Rolandas Valiūnas, Co-Chairman of the BMI Executive Institute Board and Managing Partner at Ellex Valiūnas
🔸 Philippe Oster, Senior Executive Director in charge of International Affairs at HEC Paris and member of the BMI Board
🔸 Roberta Rudokienė, Managing Director of Lithuanian Business Angel Network LitBAN
🔸 Prof. Rudy Aernoudt, Affiliate Professor at BMI Executive Institute and Director of Capstone Projects
Their participation highlighted the broad value of the Executive MBA journey: academic performance, strategic thinking, entrepreneurship, social impact, and the ability to translate learning into practical outcomes.
This year’s award recipients were:
⭐ Award for Social Impact: Milda Dzidolikienė, Gvidas Račkauskas, Iveta Pigagienė, and Vaida Burnickienė
⭐ Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievements – Eglė Genienė, Gabrielius Morkūnas and Lina Dominauskienė
⭐ Best Capstone Project in Strategy Award – Eglė Genienė
⭐ Best Company Creation Capstone Project Award – Giedrė Vilkė, Vytautas Bandzinas, Tadas Dručkus, and Justas Žegunis
The ceremony also included reflections from class representatives Simona Vosylienė and Danas Azikejev, who captured the spirit, humour, and unity of the cohort. Their words reminded the audience that the Executive MBA journey is built not only through lectures, assignments, and projects, but also through trust, peer support, and shared experience.
BMI also extends its sincere thanks to the families, friends, and loved ones who supported the graduates throughout this intense and transformative period. Their patience, encouragement, and understanding formed an important part of the journey.
Graduation marks the end of one stage, but also the beginning of a lasting connection with the BMI Executive Institute alumni community.
As graduates join the wider BMI network, they become part of a professional community built across Vilnius and Brussels, connecting executives, entrepreneurs, board members, and leaders from different industries and backgrounds.
To the Executive MBA Class of 2026: congratulations on this achievement. May it become the foundation for stronger decisions, wider professional impact, and continued lifelong learning.