October 7, 2025
When Paul Paradiso took the stage at MCLA’s 2025 Commencement, he urged his fellow graduates to see the milestone not as an ending, but as a beginning. Representing the MBA cohort, he spoke about the friendships, ideas, and ventures that were sparked during the program.
After more than two decades in technology leadership, Paradiso turned to MCLA’s MBA program to build a solid foundation in strategy, finance, and organizational management.
Paradiso is the vice president of IT Infrastructure at Tenerity, a global engagement and loyalty company that provides brands with subscription-based, rewards, and identity-protection solutions to deepen customer relationships. He knew the program would help him advance into higher-level roles that require more than technical expertise.
“My experience with the MCLA MBA program was both challenging and deeply rewarding,” Paradiso said. “The program pushed me to think more strategically, apply classroom learning to real-world business problems, and collaborate with a diverse group of peers who brought fresh perspectives. It struck a great balance between academic rigor and practical application.”
Through coursework and his capstone project, Paradiso gained hands-on experience with financial modeling, risk analysis, and strategic planning. These skills now inform his work leading global IT teams and managing multimillion-dollar budgets.
“The program gave me a broader business lens to complement my technical background,” he said. “It gave me the tools and confidence to engage more effectively at the executive level.”
MCLA’s MBA program is designed to meet the needs of working adults who meet through a combination of online course work and in-person instruction. Through a partnership with the Berkshire Innovation Center students have access to broad-based, multidisciplinary educators at the doctoral and master's levels with professionals actively involved in day-to-day decision making in the field.
“The program connected me with an incredible network of peers, professors, and community leaders,” Paradiso said. “These connections not only expanded my ties to the Berkshires but also grew my professional network in new and unique ways.”
Paradiso’s capstone team developed a strategic expansion plan for the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield, giving him the opportunity to collaborate with local business and academic leaders.
Though Paradiso lives with his family in Putnam County, NY, the Berkshires remain a region he associates with innovation, collaboration, and creativity. In his commencement speech, he encouraged graduates to stay connected to Berkshires, whether they remain in the area, or leave and return later in life.
Looking back, Paradiso describes the MBA program as more than a degree. “It is a catalyst for personal and professional growth,” he said. “For me, it has been a bridge between my career in global IT leadership and my aspirations to contribute to the growth and innovation economy here in the Berkshires. I am grateful for the experience and proud to be part of the MCLA MBA community.”
The next MBA information session will occur online on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. Those interested should visit apply.mcla.edu.
