Do you need an MBA to rise to the top of a corporate?

Long-term an ambition of mine is transitioning to a corporate and rising to the C-Suite. As I did in HS with banking jobs nearly a decade ago, I keep an eye on qualifications and the paths people take to these roles. Today, for Director of Global Strategy, a role I'd be interested in greatly, I see the below as a requirement -

"• MBA required with minimum of 3 years post-graduate experience in top-tier strategic consulting, strategic planning / corporate strategy, and / or business development"

Is it the case that an MBA is truly a requirement to rise to the top of a corporate? Are there workarounds to wasting 2 years of salary, career progression, and >$200k to effectively party?

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