The impossible is possible: Jyothi Dhoodhanath’s Henley MBA journey

Henley Business School Africa became more than a place of study for Jyothi Dhoodhanath. It became a mirror, a support system, and a reminder that leadership rooted in kindness, empathy self-awareness, and courage is not a weakness, but a strength.

Raised in Phoenix, Durban, in a close-knit family that valued education, honesty, integrity, and faith, Jyothi knew from the age of 11 that she wanted to become a chartered accountant. That dream became the first step in a career that would take her from Deloitte to an international secondment in the United States, and later into leadership at Ford Motor Company South Africa, where she is now Head of Internal Control.

But for Jyothi, the MBA was never just about adding another qualification to her name. Already a CA (SA), she wanted to move beyond being seen as “the finance person”. She wanted to understand business more holistically, lead more consciously, and prepare herself for a future that could include global opportunities, coaching, mentoring, and creating pathways for young professionals.

At Henley, she found the academic stretch she expected, but also something more personal: a place that supported her through career growth, life changes, and deep self-reflection.

Read her story in her own words:

At just 11 years old, I decided I was going to become a chartered accountant. Inspired by my father, who worked in finance, I worked towards that goal, earning five distinctions in matric, a scholarship from UKZN, and a bursary from Deloitte before qualifying as a CA(SA). My career has since taken me from Deloitte and a secondment in California to several commercial finance roles, and ultimately to Ford Motor Company South Africa, where I am Head of Internal Control for Ford South Africa

My journey to Henley began through Ford. I had managers who had completed their MBA through Henley, and they often spoke about the experience. I started following Henley online and attended an information session before COVID. At that session, our Dean Jon Foster-Pedley was speaking. I was sitting near the back, and he looked at me and said he could see the passion and drive in my eyes. I don’t know if he remembers that moment, but I do. It made me feel seen. I thought, if the Dean can see that in me, then maybe I really can do this.

Three months into the programme, I was promoted from a profit analyst role into an operations and accounting finance manager position. For the first time, I was leading a team of seven to eight people. That was when the MBA immediately became practical. I applied what I was learning about managing people, psychological safety, communication, transparency, trust, and using people’s strengths. The MBA was not separate from work. It became an integral part of how I worked, how I led, and how I saw people.

One of my favourite parts of the MBA was personal development. It felt like looking into a mirror and really seeing yourself. Through the Wheel of Life and reflection exercises, I was able to identify where I was making progress and where I needed to focus more attention, helping me become more balanced and work towards the best version of myself. Henley made me more reflective and self-aware. I started journaling for my MBA, and I still journal every evening.

Henley reaffirmed for me that my leadership style is valid. I have always believed in kindness, compassion, and empathy. But in a male-dominated environment, those qualities are not always seen as powerful leadership traits. Through Henley, I realised that they are powerful. I learned that being a good leader is not only about commanding people; it is also about coaching, listening, adapting, and understanding what people need from you in different situations

Another standout module was FinTech, which changed the way I think about AI. Rather than using AI simply to automate processes and replace people, I see it as a tool for augmentation: one that helps people work faster, scale processes more effectively and focus on higher-value work, provided it is used responsibly. Today, that learning is especially relevant at Ford, where we're on a major AI transformation journey, and I'm focused on harnessing AI to drive innovation while balancing ethics, risk, and responsible leadership.

What set Henley apart was not only the academics, but the support. From the beginning, I felt included and knew there was always someone willing to listen, advise and help. During my MBA, I was promoted and also faced personal challenges. Although I took longer to complete the programme, Henley supported me throughout. Kim Edwards referred me to Dr Megan Hooper, Henley’s psychologist and coach, who helped me with time management, stress management, life changes and emotional resilience.

Henley understood that life does not pause while you are studying. It helped me continue working towards my career and educational goals while also taking care of myself and the personal goals that mattered to me. That is one of the reasons I always describe Henley as family-friendly. It does not stop your life. It allows your life to continue while you learn and grow.

Graduation was one of the proudest moments of my life. My parents, who are in their seventies, and my sister (my biggest supporter!) travelled with me to London for my graduation. Watching them see me graduate at Henley Business School in Reading was priceless and a memorable milestone. My family and I felt so special. It was not just my achievement; it was something we all carried together.

When I think about what I would tell my younger self, I would say: do not take yourself so seriously. Have more fun. Believe in yourself. Be wise with your friends, because the people you associate with shape who you become. Travel. Learn from different cultures and different people. Do not be so hard on yourself. Take care of yourself, because when you take care of yourself, you are better able to take care of everything else.

For anyone considering the Henley MBA, I would say: know your why. Your why is what carries you when things become difficult. It fuels your ambition and gives you resilience to reach the finish line. Henley gave me knowledge, yes, but it also gave me confidence, self-awareness, courage, and a deeper understanding of people. It gave me a network that does not end at graduation. It gave me support beyond the classroom.

After the MBA, I feel like all things are possible, I am unstoppable. I can take on the world!

And I believe that now more than ever.