ISB-Kellogg Global Advanced Management Programme (GAMP) Guide 2026

ISB-Kellogg GAMP Programme Overview

The ISB-Kellogg Global Advanced Management Programme (GAMP) represents one of the most prestigious executive education partnerships bridging emerging and developed markets. Jointly designed by the Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, this programme delivers a transformative learning experience for senior business leaders seeking to sharpen their strategic thinking and global perspective.

Unlike conventional executive programmes confined to a single campus, the GAMP takes participants on an intellectual journey across two continents. Phase 1 unfolds at ISB’s Hyderabad campus, where leaders immerse themselves in strategic frameworks relevant to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Phase 2 shifts to Kellogg’s renowned James L. Allen Center in Chicago, providing exposure to cutting-edge management thinking from one of America’s top business schools. This dual-geography approach ensures participants develop a nuanced understanding of both emerging market dynamics and global business strategy.

The programme targets an elite cohort of executives with at least fifteen years of management experience, including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, Managing Directors, and Vice Presidents. This selective admissions approach creates a powerful peer network where every classroom discussion benefits from decades of combined leadership experience across industries and geographies. For senior leaders exploring top-tier executive education options, the GAMP programme is a compelling complement to offerings profiled in our university programme guides.

Why Choose a Dual-Campus Executive Programme

The decision to pursue executive education is significant for any senior leader, and the format of that education matters as much as its content. The ISB-Kellogg GAMP distinguishes itself through a deliberately designed dual-campus model that reflects the realities of modern global business. Leaders today must navigate markets across continents, manage culturally diverse teams, and synthesise economic perspectives from both developing and developed economies.

At ISB Hyderabad, participants engage with the complexities of operating in India’s dynamic business landscape. The campus sits at the heart of one of Asia’s most vibrant technology and business hubs, providing a living laboratory for understanding emerging market strategy. Conversations with peers from Indian corporations, multinational subsidiaries, and cross-border enterprises enrich every session with practical, real-world context.

The transition to Kellogg’s Chicago campus introduces a different lens entirely. Northwestern University’s Kellogg School consistently ranks among the world’s top business schools, and its faculty bring decades of research and consulting experience with Fortune 500 companies. The shift from Hyderabad to Chicago is not merely geographic—it represents a cognitive shift that forces participants to rethink assumptions, challenge mental models, and develop the intellectual agility that distinguishes truly global leaders.

This structure also creates natural checkpoints for reflection. The gap between phases allows executives to return to their organisations, test new frameworks against real challenges, and arrive at Phase 2 with sharper questions and deeper commitment. Few executive programmes achieve this level of integration between learning and application.

GAMP Curriculum and Learning Modules

The ISB-Kellogg GAMP curriculum spans ten meticulously designed modules that collectively address the full spectrum of challenges facing senior executives. The programme balances analytical rigour with practical application, ensuring every concept translates into actionable insight.

Phase 1 Modules at ISB Hyderabad

Strategy Formulation opens the programme by challenging participants to examine competitive advantage through a competency lens. Sessions explore how organisations can change the rules of their industries through strategic innovation, identify misalignments between strategy and execution, and build sustainable competitive advantages that endure market disruption.

Strategic Finance moves beyond traditional financial analysis to explore how finance must align with strategy in a globalised economy. Participants learn to benchmark against competitors using advanced financial frameworks, evaluate competing financing options, and create value through strategic financial decision-making. The module addresses macro-trends affecting both local and multinational enterprises.

Macroeconomics provides the broader economic context essential for strategic decision-making, helping leaders understand how global economic forces shape business opportunities and risks across markets.

Business Model Innovation challenges participants to rethink value creation by examining customer-facing processes, operational performance metrics, and the alignment between value creation and extraction strategies. The module emphasises balancing profitability, growth, and risk—a tension every senior leader must navigate.

Phase 2 Modules at Kellogg Chicago

Global Operations and Supply Chain Management provides frameworks for structuring supply chains across global markets, managing inventory under uncertainty, developing sourcing strategies, and building omni-channel operations that respond to evolving customer expectations.

Global Economic Perspectives analyses key trends in the world economy and their implications for investment opportunities. Faculty dissect the Great Recession’s lasting impact on emerging markets, helping leaders anticipate and prepare for macroeconomic shifts.

Building an Innovation-Driven Organisation is anchored by a powerful philosophy: innovation strategy means creating a portfolio of options because the future cannot be predicted. Drawing on case studies from IBM, CEMEX, and BP, this module examines how to discover threats and opportunities, relate innovation to customer insights and organisational structure, and assess the impact of emerging technologies on established markets.

Frontiers of Marketing addresses strategic marketing management challenges including designing and communicating market value, gaining and defending competitive positions, and building strong brands in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Risk Management for a Global Enterprise develops data-driven approaches for managing enterprise risk, understanding how global economic conditions impact organisational resilience, and preparing enterprises for both risk-taking and risk recovery at scale.

Leadership closes the programme by exploring the power of social capital, the essentials of collaboration, the strategy of social influence, and the psychology of decision-making—equipping participants to lead with greater self-awareness and impact.

World-Class Faculty at ISB and Kellogg

The calibre of faculty is perhaps the most compelling differentiator of the ISB-Kellogg GAMP. Participants learn from a blend of renowned academicians who have shaped management thinking and advised global organisations at the highest levels.

Professor Rajendra Srivastava, Dean and Novartis Professor of Marketing Strategy and Innovation at ISB, brings deep expertise in how marketing strategy drives business value. His research bridges the gap between marketing investments and shareholder returns, making his sessions particularly relevant for executives managing large marketing budgets.

Professor Alexander Chernev at Kellogg is one of the world’s leading authorities on marketing strategy, brand management, and consumer behaviour. His frameworks for designing market value and building competitive brand positions are used by marketing teams at Fortune 500 companies worldwide.

Professor Robert Wolcott, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Kellogg Innovation Network (KIN), brings a practitioner’s perspective to innovation strategy. As both an academic and entrepreneur, he helps senior leaders translate innovation theory into organisational capability, drawing on his extensive work with corporate innovation programmes.

Professor Martin Eichenbaum at Northwestern University is a leading economist whose research on monetary policy and business cycles provides executives with the macroeconomic literacy essential for strategic planning in uncertain environments. His analysis of global economic trends informs investment decisions and risk assessments.

Additional faculty include Sergio Rebelo (Tokai Bank Distinguished Professor of International Finance), Achal Bassamboo (operations and decision sciences), Russell Walker (risk management and analytics), Nicholas Pearce (leadership and organisations), and Sreenivas Kamma (strategic finance). Each brings both academic rigour and practical experience, ensuring sessions are intellectually stimulating and immediately applicable. Similar faculty excellence can be found across programmes featured in our executive education guides.

Admission Requirements and Ideal Candidate Profile

The ISB-Kellogg GAMP is not designed for every executive—it deliberately targets a specific tier of leadership. Understanding the admission requirements helps prospective candidates assess their fit and maximise the value they derive from the programme.

Experience threshold: A minimum of 15 years of management experience is required. This is not simply elapsed career time—the programme seeks leaders who have held progressively responsible roles with genuine decision-making authority.

Seniority level: Ideal candidates occupy positions at or near the top of their organisations. Target titles include CEO, CFO, COO, President, Managing Director, Vice President, Regional Director, Country Manager, General Manager, and Divisional Director. The expectation is that participants are responsible for strategic direction, not just functional execution.

Geographic diversity: The programme welcomes leaders from Indian companies, foreign multinationals operating in India, and professionals from other regions across Asia and Africa. This deliberate diversity ensures classroom discussions reflect the complexity of cross-border business.

Application process: Candidates can apply through the ISB Centre for Executive Education website or contact the programme directly at execed@isb.edu. Given the selective nature of admissions, early application is recommended.

Programme Format, Duration, and Schedule

The GAMP follows a carefully structured two-phase residential format designed to maximise learning intensity while respecting the time constraints of senior executives.

Phase 1 takes place at ISB’s Hyderabad campus over approximately one week. Sessions begin at 7:00 PM on the first day and conclude at 5:00 PM on the final day, creating an immersive environment where participants can focus entirely on learning without the distractions of daily operations. The residential format at ISB ensures that peer interactions extend well beyond formal classroom hours, with evening discussions and networking opportunities that often prove as valuable as the sessions themselves.

Phase 2 convenes at Kellogg School of Management’s James L. Allen Center in Chicago approximately two months later. This gap is intentional—it allows participants to return to their organisations, experiment with Phase 1 concepts, and identify specific challenges to explore during the Kellogg sessions. Phase 2 runs for approximately five and a half days, starting at 8:30 AM and concluding at noon on the final day.

The total in-person commitment spans roughly two weeks across two continents. While this may seem compact, the combination of pre-programme preparation, intensive residential sessions, and the inter-phase application period creates a learning arc that extends well beyond the classroom days. This structure is particularly suited to C-suite executives who cannot commit to longer programmes but demand the depth and rigour associated with top-tier institutions.

Fees, Investment, and Return on Education

The ISB-Kellogg GAMP programme fee is INR 8,00,000 (₹8 Lakhs) plus applicable taxes. This is an all-inclusive investment that covers instruction, course materials, food, and accommodation at the ISB campus or an equivalent facility based on availability.

For executives evaluating the return on this investment, several factors merit consideration. First, the programme provides access to two of the world’s most respected business school brands—a credential that carries significant weight in boardrooms and professional networks. Second, the peer network alone often justifies the investment, as participants typically include senior leaders from major corporations across India, Asia, and Africa.

Third, the practical orientation of the curriculum means that insights can be applied immediately. Participants frequently report implementing strategic changes within weeks of completing the programme, from restructuring supply chains to redefining marketing strategies to revamping risk management frameworks. The compressed format also minimises opportunity cost compared to longer programmes, allowing executives to maintain operational oversight while investing in their development.

It is important to note that the fee is non-refundable after registration. Prospective participants should confirm their availability for both phases before committing. Travel and visa costs for the Kellogg phase in Chicago are typically managed separately by participants or their sponsoring organisations.

Career Outcomes and Professional Development

The ISB-Kellogg GAMP delivers outcomes that extend well beyond the classroom. Participants consistently report transformative shifts in how they approach leadership, strategy, and organisational challenges.

Industrial insights: The dual-geography format provides deep understanding of operating in both a fast-growing emerging economy and the world’s most influential globalised economy. This perspective is invaluable for leaders managing cross-border operations or evaluating international expansion opportunities.

Cutting-edge thinking: Exposure to internationally recognised faculty and an outstanding peer network ensures participants leave with frameworks and mental models that reflect the latest advances in management science. From innovation portfolio theory to data-driven risk management, the ideas presented during the programme represent the frontier of executive thinking.

Enhanced self-awareness: The leadership module in particular helps executives develop deeper understanding of their leadership characteristics, decision-making biases, and interpersonal influence strategies. Senior leaders often find that the most valuable outcome is not a new strategy framework but a clearer understanding of their own strengths and development areas.

Testimonials from past participants underscore these outcomes. Vivek Dhir, Chief Marketing Officer at Dabur India, described GAMP as “a strong programme for professionals responsible for senior leadership roles.” George Paul, Executive Director at Bharat Petroleum, called it “an excellent programme for all senior managers who intend to stay relevant in the current market context.” These endorsements from C-suite leaders at major Indian corporations speak to the programme’s practical impact.

ISB-Kellogg GAMP vs Other Executive Programmes

Choosing the right executive programme requires careful comparison across multiple dimensions. The ISB-Kellogg GAMP occupies a distinctive position in the executive education landscape that makes it particularly suitable for certain leadership profiles.

Compared to single-institution programmes, the GAMP’s dual-campus model provides an unmatched breadth of perspective. While programmes at leading global business schools offer deep expertise in their respective markets, the GAMP’s deliberate juxtaposition of emerging and developed market contexts creates cognitive tension that drives deeper learning.

The programme’s experience requirement of 15+ years and its focus on C-suite and near-C-suite positions also differentiate it from broader executive education offerings that accept mid-career professionals. This selectivity ensures classroom discussions operate at a strategic level, with every participant bringing substantial authority and accountability to the conversation.

In terms of time investment, the GAMP’s two-week residential format (split across two phases) compares favourably to longer executive programmes that may require four to eight weeks of campus time. For leaders who cannot step away from their organisations for extended periods, this compressed format delivers significant learning density per day of investment.

The fee of ₹8 Lakhs positions the programme competitively relative to comparable offerings at top global institutions, particularly when considering that it includes instruction at two prestigious campuses across two countries. The inclusion of accommodation and meals further improves the value proposition.

Institutions like the AACSB and the Financial Times consistently rank both ISB and Kellogg among the world’s top business schools, providing independent validation of the programme’s academic credibility.

How to Apply to the ISB-Kellogg GAMP

The application process for the ISB-Kellogg GAMP is designed to be straightforward while maintaining the selectivity that preserves the programme’s quality. Prospective candidates have several options to initiate their application.

The primary application channel is through the ISB Centre for Executive Education website, where candidates can download the application form and follow the detailed mailing instructions. Alternatively, direct inquiries can be directed to the programme team at execed@isb.edu or by calling +91 40 2300 7041/42.

Given the programme’s selectivity and limited cohort size, early application is strongly recommended. Candidates should prepare to articulate their current leadership role, strategic responsibilities, and specific learning objectives. The application process evaluates not just experience and seniority but also the candidate’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to peer learning.

For organisations considering sponsoring multiple executives, the ISB Centre for Executive Education can discuss customised arrangements. Many companies find that sending a cohort of senior leaders strengthens the organisation’s collective strategic capability and creates internal alignment around new frameworks and approaches.

Before applying, prospective participants should confirm their availability for both programme phases, as the residential format requires full attendance at both ISB Hyderabad and Kellogg Chicago. The programme team can provide specific dates for upcoming cohorts and assist with logistical planning including visa requirements for the Chicago phase.