Written by: Akyunia Labiba
Leading up to Regional Night, we met with 2019 Thunderbird alumnus, Yully Purwono. Now serving as the Director of Executive Education at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Yully shared the story of how Thunderbird shaped his heart and mind, turning him into the leader he is today.
When you sit down with Yully Purwono, one thing becomes clear: he doesn’t just work in international business, he lives it. A Thunderbird alumnus who now helps lead Thunderbird’s Jakarta Regional Office, Yully has spent his career navigating the crossroads of Asian traditions and global business practices. For him, Asia isn’t a single story. It’s a patchwork of cultures from the Middle East to Japan where trust and long-term relationships matter far more than quick wins. He explained that in much of Asia, business isn’t just about numbers; it’s about listening carefully, respecting silence, and reading between the lines. “Sometimes when people say ‘yes,’ it doesn’t always mean full agreement,” he reminded us with a smile. “It could just mean, ‘Yes, I hear you.’”
So how do you succeed in a world this complex? His advice is refreshingly simple: learn cultural intelligence and agility. Cultural intelligence is recognizing differences, and agility is knowing how to approach them with respect. That means paying attention to hierarchy in places like Indonesia, or embracing harmony in negotiations in Japan. “You need global values like transparency, accountability and local respect for traditions,” he said.
Thunderbird gave him the tools to do exactly that. Professors who pushed him to think globally, negotiation classes that revealed how deals differ across regions, and leadership lessons that went beyond technical skills. He mentioned some of the professors who helped him better understand Asian cultures and markets,—like Suzanne Peterson, Mansour Javidan, Denis Leclerc,— and how those classes shaped him into the leader he is today. More importantly, Thunderbird changed how he sees his community. “Before, I only saw problems in Indonesia. After Thunderbird, I came back seeing opportunities.” That shift from frustration to opportunity has defined his journey. Having lived in one place or region for so long sometimes corners your mind into a lack of solution. Purwono has learned these solutions are available, as long as you try to see situations from different perspectives.
When asked for a message to current students, his words carried weight: “Thunderbird is not just a place, it’s a mindset. Know your purpose, build your skills, and stay connected to the alumni network. That’s how you make the world better.”
And his tips for those dreaming of a global career? Build trust across cultures, sharpen your communication, and don’t forget emotional intelligence. Oh—and if you can, learn another language.
As we celebrate Asia at Regional Night, Yully’s optimism resonates not only with his insights and message, but also with how he approaches his current work and sees it as an opportunity. He reminds everyone that even though the world may seem divided by culture, borders, and traditions, it holds many opportunities that can be achieved if you are willing to listen and learn more. Yully’s journey at Thunderbird is not just about education, but also about embracing diversity and finding solutions. The world is open, go explore it with purpose.