Student Voices | A Marketing Area Workshop Takes an Inspirational Journey into Sales, Strategy, and Leadership
Featured Events , Graduate | May 05, 2025 | Gabelli School of Business
On March 8, thirty Gabelli School of Business M.B.A. and MSMI students had the privilege of attending a dynamic full day workshop titled “Consulting and Technology Sales: Techniques & Client Acquisition Strategies” led by Ron Aberman, Accenture America’s chief sales officer, and Yasmine Gerhardstein, director of Accenture’s Northeast Sales & Pricing Performance. The session focused on sales strategy, leadership, and the evolving world of business consulting.
Ron Aberman, a seasoned business leader with a remarkable background at IBM, Accenture, and private equity, captivated the audience with stories from his career—highlighting a journey that began as a software demo specialist and grew to overseeing Accenture America’s sales and client acquisition. His candid reflections on growth, resilience, and the value of authentic client relationships inspired students with practical insights.
Yasmine Gerhardstein brought a complimentary perspective, deepening the discussion on B2B sales and client engagement. Together, they shed light on the client’s mindset, CEOs, CFOs, or COOs, the strategic nuances of enterprise sales, and how they stay ahead of competitors through relationship-building and innovation.
One standout topic was innovation in sales strategy, including outcome- and value-based pricing models and creative commercial models backed by business cases, which underscored the impact of bold, client-centric thinking.
Both speakers emphasized the importance of continued learning, mentorship, self-awareness in leadership. Aberman’s commitment to set aside time for professional development and mentoring, and Gerhardstein’s focus on giving back and supporting teams left a lasting impression on the audience. Their openness about the emotional challenges of leadership brought a human touch that deeply resonated.
The energy in the room was palpable with students who were fully engaged while asking thoughtful questions, and the workshop connected lessons to their own aspirations. Many described the workshop as one of the most impactful experiences of their academic journey thus far.
On behalf of all the attendees, we extend a heartfelt thanks to Aberman and Gerhardstein for their time, passion for sharing, and mentorship. Their insights on success, strategy, and purpose will continue to inspire students as they grow into future business leaders and professionals.
Also, we would like to give a special thank you to Mohammad Nejad, Ph.D., Gabelli School of Business Marketing Area chair and associate professor of marketing, and all who helped make this transformative experience possible.
Written by: Ahmad Sharifi, M.B.A. 25 and Amanda Lalezarian, M.B.A.‘26
