Thomas Maddison

Asia School of Business in Collaboration with MIT Sloan

“Innovative engineer turned leader, driven by resilient management, relentless curiosity, and passion for continuous growth.”

Hometown: Perth, Western Australia

Fun fact about yourself: I make leadership development videos on Instagram! (@tommaddison)

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Master of Professional Mechanical Engineering – University of Western Australia

Bachelor of Science – University of Western Australia

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? MACA – (Mining and Civil Australia), Asset Manager – Engineering

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? NA

Where will you be working after graduation? I’ll launch my own venture focused on science-backed, AI-powered leadership development solutions.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

President of Leadership Club

Helping Yayasan Chow Kit with surveying (Charity who helps disadvantaged kids and families)

Mentor at FutureLab

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of creating an AI-driven workflow that digests hundreds of scientific leadership articles through various formats, providing actionable, evidence-based insights to front-line leaders.

Building upon this, I’m currently developing an advanced prototype which visually maps the relationships between research variables into a dynamic knowledge graph. This model significantly accelerates the extraction of critical insights, ensuring AI-driven advice remains closely tied to scientific evidence and carefully considers real-time contradictions.

I’m proud of these achievements because they make rigorous scientific findings more accessible and practical for leaders. I believe this approach will effectively complement the traditional, experience-based methods that developing leaders typically rely on. Ultimately, improving leadership effectiveness benefits people across all industries.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of rapidly progressing from senior engineer to engineering lead and then to manager, all within four years at a company generating over a billion dollars in revenue. This achievement matters deeply to me because it recognised my commitment to developing my leadership abilities, the genuine care I have for my teams, and my dedication to helping others grow and realise their potential.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose ASB because of its emphasis on action learning. It bucks the traditional trend of placing classroom theory at the centre of an MBA. Instead, action learning immerses students directly in incredibly diverse, real-world experiences, exposing us first-hand to a wide range of industries and projects.

Who was your favourite MBA professor? Professor Shardul Phadnis

Not only did Prof. Shardul provide invaluable knowledge about operations management, but his class felt equally like a masterclass in soft skills. He consistently demonstrated composure and empathy in his interactions, always carefully balancing these qualities with the ultimate goals of each situation. I feel extremely fortunate to have finished his course not only with exceptional theoretical knowledge in operations management, but also a meaningful shift in my perspective on building and maintaining effective relationships.

What was your favourite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favourite events are the frequent celebrations of different cultures from around the world. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Chinese New Year, Christmas, or Hari Raya, the school always puts incredible effort into food preparation, decorations, and even thoughtful gift-giving. These events beautifully reflect the school’s genuine appreciation for diversity and its commitment to building a closely connected, inclusive community.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would place greater emphasis on building and maintaining my network. Deep down, I always understood its importance. Because it often felt unnatural or time-consuming, I too readily accepted my own excuses to avoid it. However, looking back now, I realise how much is gained from initiating conversations, showing genuine interest in others, and understanding more about the world. Networking doesn’t just provide valuable insights into industries or roles; it fundamentally teaches you how to build meaningful relationships—an essential skill for both personal growth and professional success.

What is the biggest myth about your school?

Myth: That because ASB doesn’t have a traditional ranking, it can’t offer the same value as top-ranked schools.

Reality: ASB recognises it might not carry the same pedigree as some larger schools, but the institution leverages this as an advantage rather than a disadvantage. ASB has the flexibility to challenge traditional MBA experiences and adapt rapidly to industry expectations. I’ve been genuinely impressed by how quickly and effectively the school responds to emerging trends such as transitioning to a one-year MBA and deeply integrating AI into coursework.

Moreover, students here have remarkable freedom to carve their own paths, supported wholeheartedly by the Student Journey Office, which places the highest priority on enabling students to achieve exactly what they set out to do, whatever that may be.

What did you love most about your business school’s town?  What I love most is the incredible diversity—not only in culture but also in thought. Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant melting pot of people from countless different backgrounds, continually offering new perspectives and ways of thinking. This variety is genuinely celebrated here. And, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing food KL has to offer!

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? The school has been very realistic about how students use AI – they don’t restrict its use. Instead, students are encouraged to apply AI to certain parts of assignments and then critically evaluate the AI-generated analysis. This practice reflects how we might effectively leverage AI in future business scenarios, preparing us thoughtfully for our professional careers.

Through these exercises, I’ve become highly aware of AI’s limitations, not just in critical thinking, but also in prioritising information within word constraints. By first reading a case study and mentally outlining my response, then comparing my thinking with AI-generated answers, I gain clarity on where my own insights differ and understand the reasoning behind the AI’s responses.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire Damian Graizevsky. He entered this MBA as a middle-aged student in the midst of a distinguished career, while also being a dedicated father and husband. Yet, despite his extensive experience and achievements, he remains one of the most humble, open-minded, and compassionate people I’ve ever met.

From the very start, Damian fully embraced the learning mindset. Instead of relying solely on his existing knowledge, he approached the course with the enthusiasm and curiosity of a first-year university student. Transitioning from a senior role, where people looked up to him, back into the role of a student is challenging, and I deeply respect Damian for handling it so gracefully.

On a personal note, Damian has generously provided advice when I’ve approached him with my own challenges. He’s always eager to lend an ear, never judges (from what I can tell), and genuinely cares.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1) Establish a globally recognised leadership development academy that empowers new and emerging leaders.

2) Look back on my career with genuine satisfaction at the positive impact I’ve made in the world.

What made Thomas such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Thomas Maddison (Tom) exemplifies the leadership qualities that define a true role model. From the very beginning of his time at ASB, Tom set himself apart by not only focusing on his personal growth but also fostering the leadership development of his peers. He organized workshops and events focused on leadership skills, helping his classmates unlock their potential and become better versions of themselves. He organised workshop on communication, and his belief that leadership is not a position but a mindset, resonated deeply with those around him. Tom’s efforts to create an environment where leadership was seen as an ongoing journey, rather than a destination, have had a lasting impact on the ASB community.

Beyond his role as a leader in the classroom, Tom has proven himself as someone who mentors others with respect and dependability. Classmates turn to him in times of need, knowing that they can count on him for guidance and support. His ability to build trust and lead by example has made him a respected and reliable figure in our cohort. Tom’s dedication to both personal and collective leadership development, along with his unwavering commitment to supporting his peers, makes him an exemplary candidate for the Best & Brightest recognition.”

Jim Lee
Assistant Director, Student Services at ASB

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.