Poets&Quants Names Ronald O. Samaco '25 MBA as a 2025 Best and Brightest Online MBA

Ronald O. Samaco ’25 MBA was recently named as one of Poets&Quants’ Best and Brightest Online MBAs of 2025.

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

Fun fact about yourself:  I coached youth sports for 12 years, including two years of high school soccer.  Soccer was my primary passion and I coached at every level, from recreational to competitive club teams.  While I was a volunteer coach with a child on each team, I viewed every player as one of my own. Being a part of my kids’ experiences as well as supporting every player’s growth and development was incredibly rewarding and remains one of my most meaningful experiences.

Undergraduate School and Degree: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona – Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Where are you currently working?  While I am actively exploring my next CFO opportunity, I am also working with a stealth startup company, which is developing an AI-powered marketplace and mutual intelligence network aimed at disrupting social marketing for small and medium enterprises.  In this role, I lead strategic forecasting and support the go-to-market launch while laying the foundation for scalable growth.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career?  Looking back, I am most proud of building and being part of an amazing team that helped to bring a dormant ultra-luxury EV manufacturer back to life, turning the company from a bankrupt asset into a functioning organization. I helped architect financial systems, build operational discipline, and navigate leadership transitions. The journey tested every skill I had and developed those skills I did not yet experience, but it also highlighted a purpose which is to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion, especially when the road is steep.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? While all online MBA programs offer flexibility, I wanted a program that would challenge me, reflect my values, and push me to grow as a leader. Eller’s emphasis on ethics, innovation, and leadership development truly stood out. It consistently ranks among the top online MBA programs in the country, which validated its academic rigor and reputation. On a personal note, with two kids (one of which is an Eller undergrad student), two nieces and a nephew-in-law (a former Wilbur!) who are also proud Wildcats, choosing the University of Arizona felt like joining a family tradition.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student?  The difference was night and day. As an undergraduate, I struggled academically and had to overcome several challenges. Although I ultimately built a successful career, my graduate experience was a chance to prove how far I had come. The online MBA became a personal and professional milestone where I fully embraced the rigor and graduated with academic excellence.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program?  My advice would be to treat the program with the same level of commitment and professionalism as you would a full-time job. While many students choose an online MBA for its flexibility, achieving success requires self-discipline, proactive engagement, and a willingness to adapt. If you find yourself falling behind or struggling with a concept, take the initiative to bridge the knowledge gap by leveraging alternative resources, reaching out to faculty, or forming a study group with your peers. Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of connecting with professors and classmates.  Building relationships is just as critical, and often more difficult, in an online format.

How has your online education helped you in your current job?  My online MBA has greatly complemented my career in accounting and finance, especially as I transition into other executive leadership roles. While my CPA background has grounded me in accounting, the finance emphasis of the program has deepened my strategic understanding of areas such as capital structure, valuation, and financial planning. Just as importantly, the MBA has exposed me to critical areas beyond finance including operations, marketing, and industry analysis, which are essential for a modern CFO. Today’s CFO is not just a financial steward, but a strategic partner who must understand the full scope of the business to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation?  Not in the traditional sense as I left my previous company shortly after beginning the program. However, the knowledge, confidence, and strategic perspective I gained through the MBA directly contributed to securing the start-up role mentioned above. It was a clear result of the personal and professional growth I experienced during the program.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program?  I was fully employed when I entered the program, making an online MBA the most practical option. Even after transitioning to a full-time courseload after my first semester, the flexibility to balance studies and personal commitments was important; especially with our two kids living out of state, which required the ability to travel without disrupting my education.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI?  AI and its integration into education is an evolving, and at times controversial, topic. Institutions are learning to navigate how to incorporate it ethically, effectively, and consistently without diminishing academic integrity. While my personal journey through the program did not integrate AI, my understanding is that during the time that I was pursuing the Online MBA degree, the AI program through Eller was being built. That program is launching in Fall 2025 and will have course offerings available for online MBA students to take as elective courses.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: Initially I dedicated about 25–30 hours per week during my first semester. However, after that first semester I chose to pursue the program full time, maximizing my course load and investing 50-60 hours per week. While this level of commitment is not typical for most online MBA students, I was focused on completing the program at an accelerated pace which is a flexibility uniquely offered by the online format.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to serve as a transformative CFO and strategic leader within a company that believes in doing good for its people and where values, purpose, and performance are equally prioritized. I aim to go beyond financial stewardship, using finance as a catalyst for strategic growth, cross-functional collaboration, and long-term value creation. I want to be part of an organization that empowers its workforce, embraces innovation, and fosters a culture where doing the right thing is central to doing great business.

Originally published in Poets&Quants.com.