Maja Lacevic

University of Florida, Warrington Online MBA

“I am a dynamic and focused transactional and healthcare attorney. My passion is learning, life, and making memories.”

Age: 37

Hometown: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fun fact about yourself: I was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, I came to the United States via the U.S. Refugee Program following the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Going through these experiences at an early age motivated me and continues to motivate my career choices to this day.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of South Florida (Undergraduate), Florida Coastal School of Law (Juris Doctorate)

Where are you currently working? I am Vice President, Associate General Counsel at Unified Women’s Healthcare.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Balancing a rigorous work schedule with a full-time MBA program has been both the most challenging and fulfilling experience of my professional career. Having the foundation and experience as a transactional attorney really allowed me to focus and specialize in my MBA education and truly hone my skills. I can reflect on this journey with pride about all I have learned and the value I bring back to the business and say that this is my proudest professional achievement to date.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose the University of Florida for many reasons. The obvious ones are rankings, cost, and flexibility. However, University of Florida is in a league of its own. The program is as engaging and robust as any in person program. The University of Florida started an online program before online education was really a thing and that background influences the caliber of the experience. The faculty, resources, and experience that the University of Florida provides are unparalleled.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? The flexibility of the program and just how customizable it can be if you are willing to be strategic and engaged in your experience. With the assistance of the incredible program staff at the University of Florida and significant advanced planning I was able to experience much more than the core academic curriculum. During my two-year program, I was able participate in a week-long Washington Campus residency learning about Strategically Managing Healthcare Policy from top policy makers and executives in DC; an ELO in Argentina learning from foreign and domestic companies and executives in Buenos Aires; and a week-long campus residency in Gainesville learning about Change Management.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? How conducive to relationship-building the online program is. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to build a network and relationships with my cohort that are strong and meaningful. Online MBA students are working professionals that come from all walks of life, are in many different career stages, and are all over the world. The relationships that I have built are diverse and will be lasting.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? Business school has, by far, been my favorite and most fulfilling educational experience. As a professional with work experience, I knew what to focus on and what I wanted to gain from the experience. I was not going through the motions of attending required classes, I was truly invested in the experience, maximizing it and learning as much as possible.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? An online MBA program will test the outer limits of your time management skills, persistence, and resilience. Make sure you have a plan and support system in place. The program is self-paced and you will need to be disciplined to keep up and get the most out of the experience.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? It has always been important to me that the counsel I provide is not only accurate from a legal perspective, but also practical and with business goals in mind. I decided to pursue an MBA so that I could be the best legal and strategic business partner I could be.  At that point, I had been a practicing healthcare/transactional attorney for over a decade, but wanted to dig even deeper. The biggest area of feedback that I hear about attorneys in my specialty is that they do not understand the financial aspects of business. Going through the MBA program has opened my eyes to so many nuanced aspects of business. My education helps me be a better strategic business partner every single day.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes, I was promoted from Senior Counsel to Vice President, Associate General Counsel leading our growth (primarily M&A) and corporate governance initiatives.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? As a working professional, I needed a program that would not necessitate me to step back and out from where I am in my professional journey. An online program allowed me to build additional skills and credentials while still staying on track with my professional commitments and advancement goals.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 20 plus hours consistently, although it was easily more on some weeks.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Great question. I want to be in C-suit leadership, helping to identify and implement the strategic vision and goals of a healthcare company. The sky is really the limit, but I am committed to the healthcare industry and finding a way to meaningfully contribute my time and unique skills.

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