Meet Georgetown McDonough’s MBA Class Of 2020 - Poets&Quants

Jesuit education comes with certain myths. To an outsider, it is a faith-based, rigorously theoretical exercise, a pursuit that ultimately leads to piety. In reality, the Jesuit way is a framework for thinking critically. Think of it as a toolkit for tackling the profound questions around ethics and meaning. Here, education is as much about service as spirituality, a means to become well-rounded “men and women for others” who aren’t afraid to challenge the norms. More than that, Jesuit education is a calling – a demand to reflect deeply and act forcefully.

It is an education that’s open to all faiths, cultures, and political persuasions. That was one of the striking features of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, says Greg Baesa, a 2018 graduate and a member of Poets&Quants’ MBAs To Watch.

“Because of our strong roots with the Jesuit tradition, many may think Georgetown McDonough is a conservative, traditional school,” he contends. “In fact, we are global-minded, and we champion the diversity of thought and ideas. Through our several student-led treks into countries such as Israel, China, and Tanzania, many of my classmates have explored and gained a better appreciation of the intersection of business and culture. Further, Georgetown McDonough student clubs go beyond professional development. Our affinity clubs such as Out@MSB, Georgetown Women in Business (GWiB), McDonough Military Association (MMA), Latin American Business Association (LABA), and others are among the most active organizations on campus.”

HEEDING A CALL FOR A BETTER WORLD OVER A BETTER JOB

This mission attracted students like Michael Cox to the Class of 2020. Starting out as a Teach for America Corps member, Cox’s career has focused on public service. He has worked a legislative assistant to Congressman Gregory Meeks, a special advisor in the U.S. Department of Commerce, and a senior policy advisor to the New York City Mayor’s Office. To him, McDonough offers a higher purpose than simply tacking another degree onto his wall.

MBA students looking out at the McDonough campus.

“I was driven to Georgetown by the overarching idea that the world doesn’t need more MBAs who are only and primarily personally successful,” he explains. “Instead, it needs business students and leaders who are individually successful and who also disrupt and improve inefficient and inequitable systems across and between sectors.”

Thus far, Cox believes his classmates fit the bill, calling their selflessness and optimism “energizing.” At the same time, he has been impressed by their far-flung backgrounds and commitment to causes far greater than a job in New York or breaking into the tech sector.

SELF-AWARE, OPEN-MINDED, AND PASSIONATE

“Georgetown has done a great job of assembling a really diverse set of students,” Cox notes. “It includes former engineers, techs, consultants, Peace Corps volunteers, bankers, and public sector journeymen. Like me, there isn’t a type, per se—at least not from a professional background or interest standpoint.

The clearest commonality that I have found is that McDonough students are exceptionally self-aware, driven—but not overbearing—and most of all, there is a very strong orientation toward business leadership that advances social responsibility. When I speak with finance people, they want to understand markets and catalyze change for the greater good; multiple prospective consultants are interested in premier firms to gain insights they can use to help disadvantaged businesses or international development.”

How do other members of the 2020 Class see their peers? Sania Mohammed, a PR executive from Kuwait, has found them to be very open-minded. “All my fellow classmates that I’ve met so far have been friendly and receptive to new experiences, despite coming from different backgrounds,” she says. “As a minority in the program, I was concerned that I would feel a left out or out of place, but that’s proving to be far from true!”

What unifies the class, says Luis Eduardo Font, a Cummins engineer, is a shared sense of passion. “From a filmmaker to a fashion designer to a wine entrepreneur, I have found that in every conversation I have had with [my] classmates, they are truly passionate about what they used to do, what they are looking to accomplish while in school, and what they are looking to pursue after school. It is humbling and at the same time exciting to learn about their stories and what their goals are for the future.”

FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE TO BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER

True to the Jesuit tradition, the Class of 2020 hails from all walks of life. Take Varun Premkumar. Before coming to DC, he trained Marines and Navy SEALS in close air support. His claim to fame? He has broken the sound barrier in a military jet as a U.S. Marine aviator. At Oracle, Catherine Johnson, a church deacon, was promoted to management after her first year at Oracle – a feat achieved by only one other member of her 250 member class. In the Peace Corps, Tory Paez designed a STEM curriculum for girls that is in the process of being adopted by over 1,200 volunteers in Costa Rica. That said, Daniela Rodriguez has already lived the dream of every management consultant: her client’s CEO adopted all of her initiatives in the strategic plan she drafted!

Georgetown University MSB students prepping for class. (Photo by Leslie E. Kossoff/Georgetown University)

In Congress, Michael Cox helped Congressmen Gregory Meeks and John Lewis shepherd a $1.5 billion dollar aid package through Congress, which covered everything from international economic development to education support – funding that has swelled to $10 billion dollars over the past seven years. However, Cox hasn’t been afraid to step out from behind the scenes, either. True to Georgetown’s service ethos, he ran for a New York State Senate seat to combat poverty and failing schools. The campaign was no different than launching a startup. He hired and managed staff, reached out to voters, pored over data, and raised tens-of-thousands of dollars from people ranging from his mom to venture capitalist Arthur Rock.

The result?

“While I ultimately didn’t win the campaign,” he admits, “I garnered nearly 5,000 votes against a 32-year incumbent. I believe my run led to a movement within the old guard to begin to listen more closely to their constituents as opposed to resting on their laurels. As I think through my next steps in life, I know an MBA will help me address the challenges I’ve faced and have seen so many in my community face and improve my management skills so I can tackle the next set of problems I seek to change.”

Cox wasn’t alone in acting locally to spur the greater good. As a quant, Fernando C. Barbosa tends to view finance – or resource generation and allocation – as a means to solve problems. He practiced this philosophy in the most intimate of venues: In 2012, he used a generous bonus from work to start an embroidery company for his parents. He even managed strategy, financing, and procurement so his parents could focus on their trade. The results speak for themselves.

“Five years later, BordaDora, Inc. reached revenues of almost $200 thousand per year, and employed four staff, besides my parents and sister,” he says.

GMAT AVERAGE EDGES UP

As a whole, business schools received fewer applications during the 2017-2018 application cycle – and Georgetown McDonough was no exception. The school attracted 1,459 applications during the period, down 16% from the previous year. That was a boon for some candidates, as the school’s acceptance rate jumped from 48% to 55%. Academically, however, this reduction had little impact. Average GMATs climbed from 692 to 693, with average undergraduate GPAs slipping from 3.37 to 3.34.

The class profile also shifted slightly. The percentage of women fell three points to 29%. By the same token, international students dropped from 33% to 29%. Underrepresented minorities account for 16% of the 2020 Class – the same percentage as the previous year – as American minorities overall represent a 37% share. Overall, 73% of the class has lived, worked, or studied abroad.

As undergraduates, the largest segment of the class – 26% – majored in business. That number would jump to 42% if economics majors were lumped into the total. STEM majors account for another 30% of the class. Broken down, that number consists of engineering (16%), math and sciences (11%), and computer science (3%). The biggest surprise? Think government and international studies, which make up a 15% share of the class. Humanities majors take up another 9% of the seats.

By industry, the class is deeply segmented. The largest portion of the class hails from financial services. This industry represents an 18% share of the class, beating out consulting (14%), technology and new media (11%), government (9%), humanities (8%), manufacturing (7%), and not-for-profit (7%).

Meet the Class of 2020 Series

London Business School

University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School

University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business

MIT Sloan School of Management

Columbia Business School

UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business

Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business

Yale School of Mnnagement

University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

New York University’s Stern School of Business

Emory’s Goizueta School of Business

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business

Washington University’s Olin Business School

Georgetown University MSB faculty and students (Photo by Leslie E. Kossoff/Georgetown University)

NEW EXECUTIVE CHALLENGE BRING ENTIRE McDONOUGH COMMUNITY TOGETHER

What’s new for the Class of 2020? According to Prashant Malaviya, senior associate dean for MBA programs, McDonough has recently installed an MBA Executive Challenge. The challenge, he says, is the final exam for the MBA Leadership Communication core course. He calls it the second-most exciting day of the school day (behind graduation, of course). It is a time when the McDonough community – students, faculty, alumni, and staff – come together as a “One McDonough” community to fulfill what he calls an “intense yet rewarding” mission.

“The entire first-year class participates in a day-long competition where executive-level alumni from across all of Georgetown McDonough’s degree programs role-play and serve as judges as student teams present three cases,” Malaviya tells P&Q in a statement. “Aside from executing on all they have learned in their coursework, students have an opportunity to engage with alumni throughout the day, and equally important, alumni interact with students and one another. For the first time this year, our second-year students volunteered to be Leadership Fellows, serving as mentors and coaches to the student teams.”

The MBA Executive Challenge is just one of several new initiatives that the Class of 2020 will eventually enjoy. Malaviya also points to the MBA Certificate in Consumer Analytics and Insights, which was launched last spring. This series of courses, he writes, will feature hands-on consumer analytics projects and events. In the process, students will partner with experts and executives to turn data into strategic insights that’ll drive their decision-making. The school has also opened up the Flex MBA so first and second years now have the flexibility to take hybrid and Saturday electives. At the same time, he notes, McDonough has developed a Managing the Enterprise course for 2nd-year students to complement their Ethical Leadership course. The course centers on people, namely how to hire, develop, motivate, and manage high performers.

Prashant Malaviya

“A distinguishing aspect of the course is a partnership with a high-profile enterprise in the greater Washington area that serves the community,” he explains. “Students will explore a range of issues facing managers at this enterprise, working together on a live case. In mid-October, our second-years will participate in the Corporate Challenge, where they showcase their work on the case to one another and senior executives from our partner organization.”

GLOBAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE A HIT WITH THE INCOMING CLASS

This new programming doesn’t take away from the stalwarts. For Malaviya, perhaps the most underrated part of the McDonough MBA is the wealth of Career Treks, where students partner with alumni to organize week-long journeys to network, visit sites, and explore job opportunities in various regions and industries. “In recent years, we have been focused on adding more global destinations, and students recently have traveled to Israel, Mexico, China, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates,” Malaviya adds.

Treks are just one part of McDonough global portfolio. Several first years, for example, cite the program’s Global Business Experience as one of the program’s strongest features. In this mandatory course, students spend a semester working on a project with firms like Dell, 3M, Citibank, and L’Oréal in nations like China, Germany, Brazil, and the UAE. From there, they head overseas to experience the country they’ve studied and make recommendations to senior executives at their host companies.

It was an opportunity that was too good to pass up for Sania Mohammed, who has already lived in Kuwait, China, and the United States, to pass up. “I’ve learned that the business world is so much smaller than it sometimes seems, and being able to work with and communicate effectively across borders is a valuable asset. The program’s mandatory Global Business Experience stood out to me as an ideal means for developing these skills while also making a real contribution to an international business.”

A GLOBAL MBA IN DEED AND SPIRIT

This global pull was equally strong for Daniela Rodriguez. “I have always enjoyed traveling and learning from new cultures, and a business school that mixes this passion with business was instantly a good fit for me,” she shares. “In the past, I have had the opportunity to do business in countries different than mine. Those types of experiences open your mind and inevitably lead to personal growth. Moreover, I believe that the Global Business Experience provides the space to collaborate with classmates, professors, and companies, applying the concepts learned in the classroom in a real environment. This hands-on approach really appealed to me.”

How serious is McDonough about international business? The first course in the core curriculum is Structure of Global Industries (SGI). However, the coursework and activities devoted to international business is hardly window dressing. Instead, the program has what Catherine Johnson calls a “Global Mindset” – one that truly taps into the complexities and opportunities of an interconnected world where a Brazilian drought can spike coffee prices or EU regulations can shift competitive dynamics in the American tech market.

McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University: Washington D.C., Architect: Goody Clancy

“I really value the emphasis that McDonough places on the global mindset of the MBA program through the Global Business Experience and student-initiated treks to destinations worldwide, international diversity within each cohort of students, and opportunities to concentrate academically on international business through the International Business Diplomacy Certificate,” Johnson says. “I am very excited to be pursuing my MBA at a school with a diverse student population and to learn about business in a global context.”

D.C. IS THE PLACE TO BE

McDonough also benefits from one of the best locations for business students anywhere: Washington D.C. Sure, New York City can tout the Wall Street and the Bay Area is flush with Silicon Valley bullion. When push comes to shove, business ultimately kowtows to Congress. Think of DC as America’s true crossroads, an intersection of government, business, and international relations – where policy is made and winners and losers are chosen. From Fortune 500 firms to trade associations to non-profits, the top organizations are represented in Washington D.C. in form or another. On top of that, the Beltway has emerged as a tech and startup epicenter. From speaking engagements to embassy cocktails, there are always places to network, learn, and find work in the nation’s capital.

“The Washington DC location was the key factor that influenced my decision,” says Fernando Barbosa.  “Because top businesses and policymakers surround Georgetown, I will have access to business leaders in both the public and private sectors, which is tremendous to my future goals. The DC location even influences the curriculum and study centers and allows me to participate in local events such as the Amazon AWS Global Summit.”

Make no mistake: McDonough factors heavily into the DC mix, adds Prashant Malaviya. “People often tend to think of DC’s policy community as something separate from business and more focused on government and politics. However, that’s not the reality. By embracing the intersection of business and policy, we are educating our students to lead within the full context of the complex world around them. For example, a professor who teaches about mergers and acquisitions helps students navigate the Department of Justice policies related to a successful plan. A class focused on supply chains also addresses living wage policies around the world. Cases on Brexit demonstrate how policy greatly impacts the business community. So, we seek to teach our students to examine policy in the context of their business goals.”

These goals are varied for the Class of 2020. Varun Premkumar, for one, plans to “go on an epic surf trip” before starting a career in consulting. Tory Paez is weighing whether to enter nonprofit consulting, international development, or social entrepreneurship. For now, Loretta Richardson, a former corporate responsibility officer at UBS Bank, has her heart set on being a senior brand manager or marketing director. However, she is careful to keep her mother’s advice in mind as she embarks on her MBA journey. It’s great advice for the 271 members of the Class of 2020 to follow.

“My mother always taught me that while having goals are fantastic, don’t get so focused on them that you lose sight of all the possibilities –– they are limitless.”

What led these professionals to enter business schools? Which programs did they also consider? What strategies did they use to choose their MBA program? What was the major event that defined them? Find the answers to these questions and many more in the in-depth profiles of these incoming MBA candidates. 

Student	Hometown	Alma Mater	Last Employer
Fernando C. Barbosa	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro	FAPES
Michael Cox	Brooklyn, NY	Syracuse University	New York City Mayor’s Office
Luis Eduardo Font	Valencia, Venezuela	University of Alabama at Birmingham	Cummins, Inc.
Catherine Johnson	Indianapolis, IN	Georgetown University	Oracle
Akash Kang	Delhi, India	University of Manchester	Goldman Sachs
Sania Mohammed	Hawalli, Kuwait	Northeastern University	Weber Shandwick
Tory Paez	Cleveland, OH	Miami University (Ohio)	U.S. Peace Corps
Varun Premkumar	Richmond, VA	Virginia Commonwealth University	U.S. Marine Corps
Loretta Richardson	Los Angeles, CA	USC	Munchkin, Inc.
Daniela Rodriguez	Bogotá, Colombia	Universidad de Los Andes	Accenture

Fernando C. Barbosa

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“An avid learner fascinated by finding solutions that mutually enhance my work and society.”

Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I lived in a church in Sao Paulo! Accepting an offer to work in Sao Paulo, I headed alone to the city; however, I had no place to live. So, I asked for assistance from a priest, and his church allowed me to live in a room behind the altar for some time.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor’s in Economics, PUC-Rio – Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: FAPES pension fund controlled by Brazilian Development Bank, Senior Investment Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I established a company for my parents, aiming to change their future. My mom is an embroiderer, and my dad is a draftsman.  As self-employed professionals, my family felt all the instability Brazil went through over the last decades.

In 2012, I started to work in the financial market, and my performance there awarded me a remarkable bonus that allowed me to establish my family’s business. Subsequently, I set up an embroidery firm, imported computerized embroidery machines, and managed my parents’ finances so they could focus on the business.

Based on my mother’s craftsmanship, the company grew solidly in the following years. I took care of strategic decisions, managed banking accounts and solved conflicts with business partners.

Five years later, BordaDora, Inc. reached revenues of almost $200 thousand per year, and employed four staff, besides my parents and sister.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? They are very diverse, coming from more than 40 countries. Several of them have lived in countries different than their birthplace. Also, they are quite open to share and learn from you. We surpassed cultural and language barriers to meet each other. I feel I am in a fruitful and fully collaborative environment.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-  time MBA and why was it so important to you? The Washington DC location was the key factor that influenced my decision. Because top businesses and policymakers surround Georgetown, I will have access to business leaders in both the public and private sectors, which is tremendous to my future goals. The DC location even influences the curriculum and study centers and allows me to participate in local events such as the Amazon AWS Global Summit. Also, the university is in a city that provides work opportunities for my wife during our time here.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to being involved in the Finance Club, Technology Club and the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Since 2015, I have been redirecting my career to broaden my social impact. Being admitted to a top MBA was part of that plan. After accumulating more than eight years of experience in the private and public-like sector, I felt prepared to take this next step. Without this change, I saw a plateau in my career when I looked forward. The international MBA is a high brand that can help me to follow my passion and pave my career path.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I`ve talked to many MBA alumni, and they are unanimous: the program pays off. The return on investment is very high, and the experience is invaluable. I also carefully analyzed the data compiled in MBA rankings and looked at the career ladder of leaders that I want to be like: A lot of them have an MBA.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to Yale SOM, Duke Fuqua and Boston University Questrom.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? The key factors for me are the program focus of both business and public policy and the kind of leaders the program prepares. Besides that, a collaborative community and career opportunities in the region is crucial for me.

After the first ranking screening, I read brochures: it`s the most concise and linear way MBA programs talk to us. Then I read the Poets & Quants` “Meet the Class” series, which provided me with a fundamental flavor of the programs` culture. To assure the school fits my career goals, I searched alumni at LinkedIn.

I have decided that I wanted to come to the east coast, but I recommend you do not start filtering by cities. You can surprise yourself with programs in places you never knew.

In the final step, I traveled to the US to have the interviews in person and visit the campus. I believe it was important to feel the environment, have a real class and talk in person to admissions and students. A confident decision needs your mind and your heart.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Every day before going to school, my mom shouted out the window: “Apply yourself, you are the future of Brazil!”  It was funny to me at that time. I didn’t realize how important her words were.

Many years later, I started an internship at the Think Tank Institute for Economic Policy Studies “Casa das Garças”. There, I had the opportunity of interacting with some of Brazil’s prominent economists who created and implemented the Plano Real, which ceased decades of runaway inflation in Brazil. These role models along with my mother’s voice made me realize that I too could make a difference in my country and the world.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?  I plan to work in international development at the International Financial Corporation (IFC). IFC creates markets that address the biggest development challenges. Specifically, in Latin America, I’m most interested in IFC projects in infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and access to finance. I would like to work supporting these types of projects in developing countries.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself making significant contributions to society by seeking the best way of allocating resources to major social problems. Evidence-based decisions for appropriately distributing resources will help us tackle the biggest development challenges such as extreme poverty, public safety, and climate change.

Michael Cox

Georgetown University, McDonough School Of Business

“Brooklyn bred to serve; politico; convener; People fanatic, Football fanatic; non-concessionary serial social entrepreneur; #WantsCakeAndEatsItToo!”

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Fun Fact About Yourself: My daughter and I went viral in a daddy-daughter affirmations video on The Scene. Check it out!

Undergraduate School and Major:

New York University, MPA, Social Impact, Investment and Innovation

Syracuse University, B.A. History, B.S. Political Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

• Senior Policy Advisor, New York City Mayor’s Office
• Consultant, Transform Finance
• Candidate, New York State Senate
• Assistant Director, NYU Brooklyn | Government and Community Affairs
• Special Advisor, United States Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary
• Special Assistant, United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
• Legislative Assistant, Congressman Gregory Meeks
• Teach For America Corps Member

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The most significant accomplishment of my career was working with my boss—Congressman Gregory Meeks—and the iconic John Lewis to secure about $1.5 Billion for an international economic development, human rights, and international trade package that included the Donald Payne graduate fellowship at USAID.

Normally, it is difficult to get Members of Congress to support new federal funding and 2012—during highly partisan sequestration—was no exception. John Lewis and staff, along with Congressman Meeks, myself, Congressman Elijah Cummings, and Angela Rye of the Congressional Black Caucus were able to work with business groups, education advocates and universities, and the private sector to demonstrate the benefit of this investment for fellowship awardees, our international partners, and American companies.

Nearly 7 years and more than $10 Billion later, the funding stream still exists and the Donald Payne Fellowship—among other parts of the package—has helped hundreds of students across the country pay for graduate school while they promote economic growth, international trade with American firms, and combat poverty, hunger, disease, environmental degradation, conflict, and violent extremism.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Georgetown has done a great job of assembling a really diverse set of students. It includes former engineers, techs, consultants, Peace Corps volunteers, bankers, and public sector journeymen. Like me, there isn’t a type, per se—at least not from a professional background or interest standpoint.

The clearest commonality that I have found is that McDonough students are exceptionally self-aware, driven—but not overbearing—and most of all, there is a very strong orientation toward business leadership that advances social responsibility.

When I speak with finance people, they want to understand markets and catalyze change for the greater good; multiple prospective consultants are interested in premier firms to gain insights they can use to help disadvantaged businesses or international development.

People at McDonough live out the Georgetown value: Men and women for others, and that level of selfless and audacious optimism in the concept of shared value is infectious and energizing.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I was driven to Georgetown by the overarching idea that the world doesn’t need more MBA’s who are only and primarily personally successful. Instead, it needs business students and leaders who are individually successful and who also disrupt and improve inefficient and inequitable systems across and between sectors.

I did a ton of research on US b-schools and felt Georgetown McDonough’s culture, academic training, location, and inextricable connection to businesses, policymakers, ambassadors, and trade associations was a unique.

Like Ross Baird of Village Capital wrote in the Innovation Blind Spot, ‘Business has to move toward a model of shared value as its core function,’ and I think McDonough at Georgetown is best positioned to help me do just that.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and innovations that support financial inclusion, so I am especially excited about joining the FinTech club at Georgetown, which has synergies with my entrepreneurial and social impact side.

One of the special things about Georgetown is that it is so well connected to industry trade associations and policymakers—the Fintech club is no exception and recently collaborated with FINRA to explore business opportunities and policy considerations for innovations in financial technology.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? When I led Government and Community Affairs for NYU Brooklyn, the university was awarded valuable real estate by the City of New York to develop a $350 million science and innovation corridor.

The University was obligated to partner with women and minority owned firms, and after evaluating 115 lines of business NYU and its construction manager could only identify less than 10 lines of business where contractors anticipated bids from women and minority owned firms, in New York City!

The lack of women and minority firms was shocking to me and I knew what I was witnessing was an end result of the inequitable education system I observed as a Teach For America Corps Member serving Brooklyn.

I realized I could not count on regulations, incentives, or public investments to do this important work anymore. Instead, I committed to creating the type of company and value—through advisement or entrepreneurship—that I wanted to see, and I realized that a MBA is uniquely positioned to help me achieve this goal.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I actually made a financial model and a personal roadmap to look at b-school return on investment—the investment in school is worth it!

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Tepper; Johnson

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I prioritized culture, location, reputation, as well as access and support that would be available to me. Additionally, I did not want to be removed from my network for two years so I sought schools near population centers where I have been and where I see my career taking me.

Similarly, I wanted a campus and collegial environment, but as an older student I wanted to be at a university that would not constrict my networking to primarily MBA’s and undergrads, which I found to be the case at some of the more rural schools.

Lastly, I wanted to be at a place whose ethos was to build business leaders who sought to solve problems in the world and wanted to explore innovative ways to do so. When I spoke with Senior Associate Dean Prashant Malaviya about my long-term interest in Private Equity with an impact thesis, he was incredibly attentive and asked what he and the school could do to help. Others just mentioned that I an interesting idea.

Bonus: I love Georgetown’s focus on partnering with the Consortium and growing its footprint on campus.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? The defining moment in my career was when I ran for New York State Senate in my hometown of Brooklyn. After witnessing income inequality, failing schools, and a local economy that rendered 45% of New Yorkers near or below the poverty line I knew I had to run. The campaign was the culmination of my experience as a TFA corps member, congressional staffer, and Obama Administration official working on economic development. While I was witnessing how ill-suited our political and governmental systems are to solve problems, I simultaneously began to feel empowered to solve the problems in my community on my own.

I pitched my case and raised multiple tens of thousands of dollars every month from donors of all sizes ranging from my mom to Steve Jobs’ mentor, famous Silicon Valley venture capitalist Arthur Rock. With money in hand, I had to develop marketing material, hire nearly 30 staff members, secure office space, dissect data, keep raising money, meet voters, and manage team dynamics.

While I ultimately didn’t win the campaign, I garnered nearly 5,000 votes against a 32-year incumbent. I believe my run led to a movement within the old guard to begin to listen more closely to their constituents as opposed to resting on their laurels. As I think through my next steps in life, I know an MBA will help me address the challenges I’ve faced and have seen so many in my community face and improve my management skills so I can tackle the next set of problems I seek to change.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After I graduate, I plan to celebrate—then go into management consulting. Later in my business career, I plan to launch a private equity firm with a social impact thesis and at some point in the future I would love to hold elected office.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years I see myself with a family, in a great life-rhythm, contributing to an awesome consulting firm.

Luis Eduardo Font

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“Always looking to have a good laugh, Inquisitive, History Fan, Book Lover and Physics Aficionado.”

Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela

Fun Fact About Yourself: I played semi-professional soccer in Venezuela before coming to the United States to play at the collegiate level.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Alabama at Birmingham – B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Cummins Inc. – Current Product Engineering – Team Leader

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During the launch of one of our brand new engines, we were still working to validate a new machining location for one of our components. This new location would allow us to shorten our supply lead times over 30% and increase our current capacity.

As a the lead engineer of validation, I was in charge of making sure the new components met our engineering requirements; however after 75% of the testing was complete, it was clear that the new components would not meet the requirements. This is usually not a big obstacle; it would just require some changes to the manufacturing process and a new testing iteration. However, there was a breakdown in communication with our supplier and they had already instructed the old site to ramp down the production of our components and ramp up the new site.

Although there were several discussions to determine the causes for the communication breakdown, the team and I were tasked with not only improving the manufacturing process at the new site, but also developing a shortened testing cycle that would provide results with a high degree of confidence to the leadership team. It was then when the team and I developed a new testing approach using probability and reliability analysis shortening the testing time. Eventually, we were able to improve and validate a new manufacturing process that met our requirements and in the process save the company over $2.2 million dollars. It was fulfilling to know that I was not only able to help our company but gain the respect and praise of both leaders and engineers in our team.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My classmates’ best quality is their passion. From a filmmaker to a fashion designer to a wine entrepreneur, I have found that in every conversation I have had with those classmates that I have met, they are truly passionate about what they used to do, what they are looking to accomplish while in school, and what they are looking to pursue after school. It is humbling and at the same time exciting to learn about their stories and what their goals are for the future.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The key factor was Georgetown’s global approach to business education. It is clear that the world today is more interconnected than it has ever been. Gone are the days where companies can conduct business as silos and protected from other events outside the borders in which they operate. From the possible effects of climate change to Brazil’s coffee farmers and the price of a cup of coffee in your local coffee house, to the effects of the price of metals in South Africa’s mines have in the car manufacturer’s supply chain, it has become imperative for companies to think globally and strategically about their operations, product development and investments. Georgetown’s approach to the MBA curriculum gives students the tools to not only navigate but to be successful leaders in a global business environment.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to the Executive Global Experience where we get to take the lead on a critical project for a company and work with them for an entire semester and complete a residency in the company’s location, whether in the US or overseas, and present our recommendations and plan implementation.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? In engineering, I had become a critical contributor to my team. However, I knew that in order to become a leader in an organization I would not only need technical skills but also to further develop my leadership, strategy and business skills. It was then that I decided to pursue an MBA.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I looked at the knowledge, network and employment and advancement opportunities that an MBA would bring and it was instantly clear that the MBA would be worth the investment.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Cornell University and University of Michigan (Weekend Program)

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I made the effort to visit all the schools I was interested in because I felt by talking and engaging with students face to face would be the best way to learn about their day to day, their school and the interactions between classmates, faculty and staff.

At the start of my research, I knew I was really interested in a smaller class size because I felt it would give me the opportunity to meet, engage, and learn from all of my classmates. I also wanted to attend a school that would offer me the opportunity to experience a real world project engaging with real clients while enrolled in school. More importantly, I wanted to be part of a school that had an innate sense of community and camaraderie where classmates truly take an interest in everyone’s success and not just their own. It was these characteristics that drew me to Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.        

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? As a Venezuelan citizen, I have seen first-hand the struggles my own family and my country has had to endure due to erroneous political and economic decisions made by the country’s leaders. It was having family and friends who shaped who I am immigrating and spreading all over the world in pursuit of better opportunities. It taught me the value of perseverance and hard work as well as the true value of freedom and justice.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? My current plan is to work for a firm or consulting company where I can leverage my technical expertise and MBA into solving the current obstacles in the financial sector such as how to scale and provide accessibility of the financial markets to those with less resources and people in developing economies such as Venezuela.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself working with either a consulting company or government agencies across South America providing analysis, recommendations and a tailored product that brings financial products accessibility to the lower and middle class population.

Catherine Johnson

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“Personally and professionally, I seek new challenges and strive for excellence every day.”

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Fun Fact About Yourself: In kindergarten, when asked about my future career aspirations, I answered that I wanted to be “retired.”

Undergraduate School and Major: Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service; Major: Culture & Politics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Oracle Corporation; Enterprise Account Manager, Cloud Education Sales

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: After my first year at Oracle, I achieved a highly coveted promotion to management, as one of two people from my starting class of 250 to attain it. This accelerated my professional growth in positioning me to achieve subsequent sales promotions in my sales career. In this management position, I found coaching my team of 15 direct reports to be extremely motivating and very fulfilling work.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? At Welcome Weekend back in January, I was struck by how the McDonough students seemed more ‘well-rounded’ than any other students (admitted or current) with whom I had interacted elsewhere along the application process. They are balanced – focused on academics, campus involvement, and recruiting, of course; but with an ability to prioritize their personal lives and commitments outside of school. These are students who seem to me to be fundamentally grounded and confident. They know who they are, understand why they’ve undertaken business school to transition professionally, but are committed to doing that without having to sacrifice fulfilling personal lives outside of all that.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The distinguishing factor that led me to choose McDonough was, at the end of the day, the global mindset of the program. As an undergraduate student at Georgetown in the School of Foreign Service, I chose to study abroad in three unique programs: a summer in Paris, France to focus on my French language studies; a summer in Alexandria, Egypt to focus on my Arabic language studies; and a semester in Doha, Qatar to focus on both Arabic as well as Middle East-specific courses for my major. Those programs defined my time in college, providing me with both rich cultural and challenging learning experiences and enabling me to meet people who today remain among my very best friends. With that perspective, I really value the emphasis that McDonough places on the global mindset of the MBA program through the Global Business Experience and student-initiated treks to destinations worldwide, international diversity within each cohort of students, and opportunities to concentrate academically on international business through the International Business Diplomacy Certificate. I am very excited to be pursuing my MBA at a school with a diverse student population and to learn about business in a global context.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? As a Forte Fellow, I am really looking forward to getting involved in Georgetown Women in Business (GWIB). The current MBA students I met who were involved with and leading GWIB were so welcoming to me at every event over the course of the admitted students weekend. I really look forward to getting involved with an organization focused on supporting other women MBAs and building a network of professional women.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? At the point when I resigned from Oracle, I had completed a full four years comprised of a total of four sales positions in four different lines of business, in both management and individual contributor roles. I decided an MBA would enable me, at this point, take my career to the next level and position me to advance along a general management (not only sales management) track.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? During my career at Oracle, I was lucky to have a couple of stellar bosses who have now become very important professional mentors. In talking with them about my next steps, they encouraged me to pursue an MBA full-time to accelerate my professional growth. I decided that an MBA program was ultimately worth the investment because it would broaden my exposure to business generally and enable me to learn more about other industries outside of technology.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? UVA, Harvard, Yale, and Columbia

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I did a lot of research on the programs I applied to because I wanted to be sure I only applied to schools that would fit my interests and aspirations well. I looked at program culture, cohort diversity, top employers, and the attributes that distinguished each program academically. I used websites like Poets and Quants, attended as many events in DC as I could, and spent a lot of time on each program’s website.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? When I achieved the promotion to management after my first year, I transitioned into the Oracle Marketing Cloud organization, which was based out of Oracle’s Austin office, and the promotion necessitated my move to Austin from DC where I was based when I started at Oracle. This was a huge move, and my first time ever in Austin was the weekend I flew down to find a new apartment. Nonetheless, I was excited for the adventure and eager for a change. I ended up being in Austin for a year before I was promoted into a quota-carrying sales position and transitioned into a different organization based in DC that required me to move back. While I loved my work and overall enjoyed Texas, I didn’t see myself there long-term and spent a lot of time thinking about where I did want to be, which I eventually concluded was DC. In moving back, I made a commitment to myself that I would invest time professionally in determining my next step – which I decided was to pursue my MBA – and invest time personally in making time to do what I really enjoyed. This led me to be elected as a deacon at my church, get serious about my fitness and run my first half marathon, and prioritize time spent with my friends and family.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?  I am very excited about pursuing a leadership development program because of the opportunity such a program offers to grow in general management. As far as industry, I remain interested in technology because of my experience at Oracle, but I also hope to gain exposure to other opportunities and industries.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Overall, I see myself three to five years post-MBA continuing to thrive in a dynamic corporate environment where I can work directly to impact revenue, chart strategy, and develop talent within my organization.

Akash Kang

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“A driven individual with a strong ardor to experience different cultures and food across the world.”

Hometown: Delhi, India

Fun Fact about Yourself: I am born Sikh and wore a traditional Sikh turban until I was 10 years old.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Manchester, BA Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Goldman Sachs, Senior Analyst (Investment Banking Division)

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Receiving an offer to become a part of the GS family, after declining a 100% scholarship to the University of Warwick. Riskiest move I have made to date. I was left jobless for a few months. After ardently trying for over 6 months, I landed a job in GS. I finally left the company as the lead of my team where I recruited and mentored new candidates, to pursue my MBA at McDonough.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? At Georgetown University, we are trying to build a close community. All students that I’ve interacted with have been receptive and willing to help. I have had the opportunity to meet some great people so far, coming from varied cultures and backgrounds- with the common goal of making it big in their respective industries.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Georgetown’s MBA program has a very small class compared to other universities. Because of this, it has a personal touch in the professional development of each student. A relatively smaller cohort does give me a better opportunity to interact with the majority of students and learn from their diverse experiences.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to joining the Finance Club as it corresponds to my aim and interest in business, entrepreneurship and commerce. I look forward to interacting and building a strong network with influential business leaders, academics, journalists, and public officials through career treks and case competitions that could help in my personal growth as well as help dive into the corporate world from an achiever’s perspective.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After having worked at Goldman Sachs for four years, I felt like it was finally time for me to pursue an MBA so that I could venture out and develop a strong network among different industries as well as get a hands-on learning experience through student organizations like the Asia Business Consortium, Emerging Markets Network, Finance Club- which hold discussions and competitions. Overall, I believed that I had to polish my mindset on business, entrepreneurship and the global market.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? My father has always placed high emphasis on education and always motivated me to pursue a course or a school that I am most passionate about. Once I brought up the topic of applying for an MBA, he was quick to motivate and push me towards the same. He stated that this sort of investment being put into the course would not only benefit me in achieving my goals, but also shape personal self, adding positively to the way I approach a situation.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stern, UCLA

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I looked at schools with a good mix of international students, as well as those with a varied variety of student organizations and clubs. A school with a good mix of various cultures ensures inclusion and acts as a motivational impetus to all.  I also looked at the kind of alumni a school had to offer. Being a finance buff, I wanted to develop a helpful and strong network within the industry.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? The defining moment of my career, which pushed me beyond my self-constructed limitations, was the time I turned down a 100% scholarship for masters in economics from the University of Warwick. I did so to take up the not-so-enviable option of being unemployed, laden with student debt and no job offers in hand.

Eight months later, I would be holding an offer from Goldman Sachs. I am proud to say I won each one of those battles by shattering through my own expectations.  I am now much more confident, hardworking and humble. I believe I can face difficult situations with a lot more wisdom and insight today.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? In the short term, I want to get experience in an opportunistic market like in the US, and gain experience across different asset classes using specific investment strategies. At McDonough studying with multinational classmates would a great opportunity for me to build a strong network and effective communication skills. I want to gain industry experience which would help me identify investment opportunities in both public and private markets and develop a managerial perspective on the same.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself as a part of an Investment Management team contributing to the asset management domain in India by introducing unique investment ideas in an exponentially growing market. I believe that McDonough will help me gain multi-disciplinary knowledge, a fundamental understanding of how business functions, a specialist know-how of various investment philosophies, and will give me a strong industry interface through live projects.

Having acquired analytical skills such as data crunching through creating dynamic models, I have understood the language of business through working with financial statements and improving on interpersonal skills. Therefore, I believe that I need to enhance my skills of assimilating businesses beyond numbers. A company is an orchestra of different functions and I need an MBA to fathom how each function works to make a successful business. Although assessing investments is my future, I need to have a wider perspective to understand the operations of a company. Good leadership and management are crucial for a successful business. I aim to build a strong foundation in leadership and be exposed to different leadership styles and be qualified to assess the potential of the management of a company.

Sania Mohammed

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“Globe-trotting professional with unwavering determination, innate curiosity and an appetite for good food and wine.”

Hometown: Hawalli, Kuwait

Fun Fact About Yourself: During my lifetime, I’ve been lucky enough to have lived in five unique global cities: Kuwait City, Boston, Hong Kong, New York and now DC!

Undergraduate School and Major: Northeastern University, Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Affairs

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Associate, Weber Shandwick

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a Senior Associate on the PR team at Weber Shandwick, I had the opportunity to work with several luxury and CPG brands and help them achieve their media goals. My personal favorite was working with Unilever’s Simple Skincare brand.

In Q1 of 2017 the Simple PR team was going through a few transitions. As one of the last ones standing, I was fortunate enough to be trusted with planning and executing PR strategies to continue to generate coverage for their products in online outlets. I had to work independently to put together the necessary materials, including strategy proposals incorporating my ideas and suggested tactics to share with the client team for approval. I had to leverage my expertise and manage not only my own time, but also the clients’ expectations to ensure that the project would be a success. Once my plan was given the green light, I went on to execute it with minimal supervision. These tactics were ultimately successful and it was so rewarding to know that my work made a direct impact on achieving our clients’ goals.

This was a major accomplishment for me for a couple of reasons. For one, being trusted to handle big assignments independently and prove myself to be a reliable a dedicated member of my team gave me the confidence that I needed to lead. And secondly, by showcasing the extent of my capabilities, I managed to pave the path towards a promotion, and take on other equally exciting projects in the future.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Open-minded. All my fellow classmates that I’ve met so far have been friendly and receptive to new experiences, despite coming from different backgrounds. As a minority in the program, I was concerned that I would feel a left out or out of place, but that’s proving to be far from true!

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I chose Georgetown’s MBA program for its global curriculum. As someone who has lived and worked in several different cities, I’ve learned that the business world is so much smaller than it sometimes seems, and being able to work with and communicate effectively across borders is a valuable asset. The program’s mandatory Global Business Experience stood out to me as an ideal means for developing these skills while also making a real contribution to an international business.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? On a professional level, I’m excited to join the Graduate Marketing Association to build my network and get to know others in my program who have likeminded goals. And on a personal level, I would love to join the Georgetown Wine Society to bond with my fellow classmates over our shared interests.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I worked in the PR industry for nearly four years following earning my undergraduate degree. After gaining a reasonable amount of experience in the field, I started to realize that it was time for a change. Through working on different brand teams and interacting with my clients, I became interested exploring opportunities in brand management, and getting an MBA seemed like the logical step forward in that direction.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? To me, getting an MBA is about more than just achieving my career goals – it’s also an opportunity for me to develop new hard and soft skills, as well as a strong network. I was also drawn to the practicality of an MBA, and the focus on education through hands-on experiences outside of the classroom.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? INSEAD, UCLA, USC, UT Austin

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Location and culture were two of my top priorities. I evaluated these by attending MBA fairs (such as QS), connecting with current students, and visiting the campuses themselves. I knew that I wanted to attend a school that was diverse, had a strong emphasis on global education, and had a collaborative culture. I remember going to a coffee chat with a second-year Georgetown student that really helped me feel confident about my decision to enroll and make the move to DC. The kindness, support and advice I received managed to sway me away even from the good weather out on the West Coast!

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Moving to the United States in 2010 was a major turning point in my life. I had a very sheltered upbringing in Kuwait, where my interactions were limited to a small community and I had little opportunity to express myself. Attending a large undergraduate institution allowed me to meet new people from all walks of life and learn to be independent, which is a quality I pride myself on now.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Pursue a career in brand management or marketing strategy. I’m interested in different industries but technology, luxury and consumer products are my top priorities.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Moving up the ranks in a job that I enjoy, while still having time to travel and see the world. I strongly believe in balance, and I hope that my successful post-MBA career is also accompanied by new personal experiences.

Tory Paez

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“A passionate changemaker and feminist, working to maximize every second of my time on Earth.”

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Fun Fact About Yourself: After living two years on a very remote fishing island in Costa Rica, I am now a pro at deveining shrimp!

Undergraduate School and Major: Miami University (Ohio) – Business Management & Organizations

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Peace Corps – Community Economic Development Advisor

Prior to the Peace Corps, I worked as a Customer Experience Consultant at West Monroe Partners, a business management and technology consulting firm for nearly four years.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While serving on the volunteer-led Gender and Development Committee in the Peace Corps, I led the effort to design an innovative national Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) club curriculum for girls. Prior to Peace Corps, I worked in a technology consulting firm, so I was particularly passionate about the initiative. The program we developed was unique in that we provided engaging activities that can be done with very limited resources. That was because access to consistent internet or a computer lab is not common for the majority of Peace Corps Costa Rican communities. With support by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education, the National Institute for Women, TeachHer, and Intel, we reached approximately 160 students during the three month pilot program alone. This year Peace Corps Costa Rica will be sharing the curriculum with all Spanish-speaking Peace Corps countries, reaching 1,235+ volunteers who could potentially utilize the program in their sites! This project provided me with the opportunity to use past knowledge related to technology and gender advocacy and apply it to international development and my Peace Corps experience.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Supportive. From deciding to get my MBA to moving through the application process to deciding Georgetown, I never have encountered more kind, helpful, and encouraging colleagues, coaches, mentors, and now friends. Everyone has been willing to answer my questions, introduce me to their network, provide me with advice, and even give me their used textbooks!

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The program’s focus on service and principled leadership really resonated with me during the application process. Located at the epicenter of government, business, nonprofits, and international development, I knew Georgetown University and the McDonough School of Business would allow me to explore opportunities related to both my professional and personal aspirations here in the nation’s capital. With courses like Design Thinking and Service Consulting, Developing Women Leaders, and Impact Investing (as well as certificate programs like the Certificate in Nonmarket Strategy), I was certain Georgetown’s program would be a great fit for me.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Georgetown Net Impact, whose mission is to promote positive change and social impact through business.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I wanted the dedicated time and creative space to unite my professional experiences to date (consulting and international development). I knew that in an academic environment surrounded by extremely motivated, talented, and intelligent people, I would be able to learn and develop to be a more effective leader in the social sector.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? As I spoke to my mentors and investigated my “dream jobs,” the majority of leaders I looked up to had MBAs. I realized that in order to continue to grow within my career in the direction I was most excited about, it was time to invest in myself and go get an MBA. The unique and tailored experience one gets in an MBA program with the academic coursework, internships, and extracurricular exposure is an unparalleled opportunity.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? IE Business School, IESE Business School, Northwestern Kellogg (MMM), Berkeley Haas

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Because I wasn’t able to travel to visit schools during my Peace Corps experience, I relied very heavily on online information about the programs (e.g. school websites, sites like Poets & Quants, rankings), the school admissions teams, as well as the current student and alumni networks of the schools. Current and graduated students provided the most insight into the program’s culture and how I could contribute and fit into it. After that research, I prioritized programs that I was certain would support me as I pursued my social impact goals in a business context.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? As an undergraduate student, I co-founded and later became president of Miami University Women in Business (WIB). It was an unbelievable learning experience for me. As an organization, we grew tremendously in those first few years. To this day, it is one of my most proud achievements as WIB continues to flourish. That experience of seeing a gap and building something to address it taught me the importance of building a legacy. Too often, people raise issues without solutions. Instead, I had the opportunity to work with an insanely talented group of women to dream up and execute an amazing organization. That solution-oriented mentality is something I take with me everywhere.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I will focus on creating a more equitable world and I hope to do that either through nonprofit consulting, international development, and/or social entrepreneurship.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In the next five years, I plan to be a leader within a social impact organization with global impact, as well as a member of a nonprofit board.

Varun Premkumar

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“A former marine aviator with a passion for surfing, traveling and great food.”

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Fun Fact About Yourself: Broke the sound barrier in a military jet.

Undergraduate School and Major: Virginia Commonwealth University – BS in Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Marine Corps – Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Instructor.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:  Over the course of a year-and-a-half, I have trained over 100 Marines and Navy SEALs in Close Air Support. Close air support is the ability to call in airborne munitions to include bombs, missiles, rockets, and guns from in an aircraft in close proximity to friendly forces. The individuals I have trained have gone back out into the operating forces and have supported US military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Every MBA individual I have met has been selfless with their time. Whether it was a detailed question about a particular industry or a general application question, every single person has taken the time to sit down, talk and help me through the process.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The international exposure at Georgetown was very appealing to me.  Having deployed to multiple countries, international experience was a very important factor for me in an MBA program.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? – Aside from social clubs, I am looking forward to being very involved in the Veterans Association. The amount of help they provided to me during the application process was unparalleled. It is very important to me to pass on my experience and knowledge to those who are looking to take the same path.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After nine years in the Marine Corps, I was looking to switch careers. After researching what career would be appealing to me, an MBA stood out as the degree necessary to achieve my professional goals.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Knowing that I needed an MBA to switch careers and having the GI Bill available to me, it was a no brainer to pursue the degree.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? UVA, Duke, UNC

How did you determine your fit at various schools? The best indicator of fit was the students at the school. I visited every school on prospective student days and the openness and willingness to share their experience helped me decide whether the school was a good fit. I also reached out to every veteran association to speak to individuals with a common background to mine to find out their own experience.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? The moment I knew that I could accomplish goals that seemed greater than my ability was when I finished my first marathon in college.  That was my first experience setting such an intimidating goal for myself and formulating a path to accomplish the goal. From there, I set my sights on the Marine Corps and becoming an aviator.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Immediately go on an epic surf trip, then come home and start a career in consulting.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Advancing through the career I started after graduation with additional responsibilities and management opportunities. Hopefully living abroad, someplace with great food and a nice beach!

Loretta Richardson         

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

School: Georgetown University McDonough School of Business

“To those who came before: Thank you! I will continue paving the way for others.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: In Uganda, I had the opportunity to meet my sponsor child, Dolika. I run World Vision marathons for her –– ensuring every child is equipped to achieve their purpose. #waterislife

Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Southern California, BA in English –– Creative Writing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Marketing & E-Commerce Specialist at Munchkin, Inc.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While working in Corporate Responsibility at UBS Financial Bank in London, I had the privilege of selecting and managing the Barbican Music Box partnership. The Barbican Box is a portable box given to secondary students throughout East London that contains a range of stimuli to spark imaginative and original compositions. Mentored by members of The London Symphony Orchestra, the students culminate their workshop in a performance at the iconic Barbican Hall. As I watched the students perform with joy and vigor, I was proud to play an integral role in connecting UBS with its community, bringing opportunity to students and aiding in their exploration of the arts.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The Georgetown University McDonough School of Business has done a fabulous job selecting skilled candidates with heart. Every MBA candidate I have met has a unique story, is driven by purpose and seeks to be global leaders in their profession and community. My curiosity always piques when I learn about a classmate’s work in the Peace Corps or experience working in the White House. I am excited to learn from and collaborate with my dynamic classmates over the course of our MBA experience.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Being a dual-citizen of both the US and UK, I sought an MBA program that would equip me to thrive in today’s increasingly global market. The McDonough Global Business Initiative is what made Georgetown my premier choice MBA program. Not only is our first class the Structure of Global Industries (SGI), but following we are offered a plethora of global experience courses and opportunities to travel abroad and immerse ourselves in new cultures, industries, or work with Fortune 500 companies. In addition, living in Washington D.C. will grant us unique access to speaking engagements with world leaders and networking events at local embassies and non-profit headquarters. I am confident that through McDonough’s MBA program, I will be equipped to become a global business leader and develop business solutions and strategies that will positively impact the lives of others.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to joining Net Impact and partnering with a local non-profit or social enterprise in Washington D.C. to consult and aid them in solving key problems facing their organization. In addition, I look forward to our upcoming Global Business Experience and am excited to spend time in Asian and African countries, learning best practices and the subtleties in corporate cultures.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Coming from a non-traditional background and hoping to make a pivot in my career, I knew I had to seek advanced education opportunities in business. After conducting research and speaking to marketing professionals in influential positions, I noticed that the majority of my colleagues and mentors had one thing in common –– they had MBAs.

As a black female looking to advance my marketing career and one day enter the C-Suite, an MBA is imperative. An MBA will serve three purposes: 1) level the professional playing field as I look to advance my career in a field that I am underrepresented; 2) develop my leadership, entrepreneurial and strategic thinking skills; and 3) prepare me to thrive professionally in our increasingly global society.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I will be the first in my family to receive an MBA. Although my family values education and many have advanced degrees, it was still a challenge convincing my immediate family that an MBA was worth the financial and time commitment. They heavily urged me to, instead, pursue my creative talents in the arts. Alternatively, I decided to pursue an MBA. Every industry is affected by business and the most successful companies require savvy, strategy and innovation. In addition, businesses have the power to provoke positive change through their mission or corporate responsibility initiatives. I desire to develop profitable and responsible businesses that empower the lives of others. An MBA will sharpen my entrepreneurial, leadership and strategic thinking skills and prepare me to successfully lead influential global organizations.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to MBA programs through the Consortium. The Consortium is our nation’s largest diversity network that links top-tier students to MBA programs and corporate partners. The common application allows an applicant to apply to (6) out of their (20) schools. The six schools that I applied to were: Georgetown, Yale, USC, UCLA, NYU and UC Berkeley.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I had the privilege of visiting each school and spoke to alumni who gave great insight into the school culture and program.  In addition, it was important that I select a school with an international perspective and global network. In addition, I compared the following: 1) Global reputation and international network; 2) Location and diversity; Curriculum, specialties, and global opportunities; and 4) Employment reports and return on investment.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I am a woman of faith. When I surrendered my life to Christ, I became fearless and began taking a leadership role in my community. As I delved into the needs of others and found innovative ways to create opportunity to close the disparity gap, I discovered my skill for business and leadership. I also witnessed how socially-conscious businesses had the power to transform and empower communities. While I didn’t know I would attend an MBA program in the upcoming years, at that moment, my life had purpose. I realized I had a responsibility to hone my entrepreneurial and leadership skills to continue affecting global change.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Post-graduation, I hope to build my career as a brand manager –– connecting companies with their communities and building brands that resonate and reflect their consumers’ unique needs and lifestyles. In addition, I hope to increase my support of the networks who afforded me great opportunities to empower the next generation (e.g. Consortium, NBMBAA, A Better Chance and Mountbatten).

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I aspire to grow within a company and become an integral part of its success. Through the development of innovative solutions and delivery of quality products and services, I hope to become a Senior Brand Manager or a Director of Marketing. In regards to community, I hope to join the board of a local social enterprise or non-profit that advances arts and education in disadvantaged communities. However, my mother always taught me that while having goals are fantastic, don’t get so focused on them that you lose sight of all the possibilities –– they are limitless.

Daniela Rodriguez

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“Tireless traveler who loves exploring new cuisines, works hard, and is constantly seeking adventure.”

Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia

Fun Fact About Yourself: My mom’s family immigrated from Lebanon, so I grew up with a mix of both Colombian and Lebanese traditions. I am still trying to figure out how to cook all the Lebanese delicious treats!       

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidad de Los Andes, Industrial Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Accenture, Management Consultant

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I worked as a consultant to improve the reporting times of financial statements in a project for the largest financial group in Colombia. I was in charge of delivering the project to the holding company and one of the four banks of the group. After identifying short- and long-term initiatives to improve processes, technology, governance, people’s capacities, and internal structures, I presented over 60 efficiency initiatives to the CEO and the Innovation Committee responsible for the bank’s strategic programs. At the completion of the project, the client was so pleased with the results that it included all the initiatives in the strategic plan and contracted Accenture to assist with the implementation of the projects that were proposed.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? When I think about my classmates, several attributes come to mind: highly collaborative, intelligent, energetic, friendly, and fun. But I think the word that best describes them is supportive. At McDonough, I found a warm and reassuring network that has helped me transition smoothly into my new MBA life and a community that I am sure will accompany me throughout my life.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Among several factors, I think the most important one is Georgetown’s global business education focus and the Global Business Experience. I have always enjoyed traveling and learning from new cultures, and a business school that mixes this passion with business was instantly a good fit for me. In the past, I have had the opportunity to do business in countries different than mine. Those types of experiences open your mind and inevitably lead to personal growth. Moreover, I believe that the Global Business Experience provides the space to collaborate with classmates, professors, and companies, applying the concepts learned in the classroom in a real environment. This hands-on approach really appealed to me.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am very excited about joining the Georgetown Women in Business club! I have always been passionate about opportunities that enable and empower women, and joining the club provides the possibility to help women develop in the workplace and the community. This year, the club is hosting Georgetown’s Graduate Women in Business Conference and I am looking forward to sharing my perspective with students, alumni, and business leaders from the Washington D.C. area.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After working for four years, I was eager to strengthen my management and leadership skills. Of course, the MBA experience is unique for every person, but I hope to focus my learning on developing and practicing those two skills in a safe environment to become a better manager in the future. Also, I wanted to expand my international experience and an MBA in a different setting and new country was the perfect opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world and learn from their very valuable experience. Overall, pursuing an MBA was an opportunity that would take me out of my comfort zone and would help me better direct my career.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? After researching and considering the commitment (financial, time, and otherwise) that an MBA would require, I concluded that it was worth the investment primarily because of potential career growth. Pursuing an MBA enhances skills that are crucial in the business environment and therefore generates credibility, leading to jobs with more responsibility and exposure. That type of advancement in my career was worth the investment.

However, I think that this experience should not be evaluated purely on financial terms. Growing my network, meeting interesting people with different backgrounds, learning from experienced teachers, and participating in challenging experiences were all aspects that supported my decision to take on this investment.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? MIT School of Management, Michigan Ross, Duke’s Fuqua School of Business

How did you determine your fit at various schools? To determine my fit with schools, I first listed the factors that were important to me: a collaborative culture, a top school, diversity, a high percentage of women, and a global focus. I first conducted in-depth research online, visiting the schools’ websites, MBA forums, blogs, and almost every website that provided insight. I had a lot of information so I decided to reach out to students, admission teams, and alumni to learn more about the programs. I also visited schools and that gave me a much clearer sense of where I wanted to be. I think that the most important aspect to determine your fit with a school is to speak with as many people as possible and to visit the school itself, as this will give you a sense of who and what will be surrounding you for two years. Another important aspect that I considered were the career potentials, so I looked for schools that had high placements in the industries and functions that were of interest to me.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment occurred while I was searching for an internship in college. At the start of my university career, I was convinced that I wanted to become a trader for a bank, so I put all my effort into finding an opportunity in that field. After interviewing at two banks, one rejected me and the other offered me an internship for a period of one year (six months more than what was required at school). Since I did not want to postpone my graduation by six months, I rejected the bank’s offer and found a different opportunity in the financial planning department at another company. Soon after I accepted this offer, the bank that had offered me a one-year internship called again to renew the offer on my terms. Nevertheless, I rejected their proposal again.

Four years later, I have not regretted my choice for an instant. My decision changed my career path and directed me towards consulting, which is a job I greatly enjoyed. I believe I would be a completely different person had I accepted a job in investment banking.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I would like to join a company with a global reach where my work creates a positive impact. I am currently exploring opportunities both in consulting and strategy and would be delighted to work in either of these areas. Nonetheless, I am approaching these next two years with an open mind and I am eager to embrace any opportunities that come across my path.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself working for a large corporation, ideally in a leadership position that challenges me every day both intellectually and personally. I would like to be managing people and contributing to their career advancement. Also, I hope to be working in problem-solving environments and in a job that requires strategy definition. Finally, my personal life is very important to me, so I hope that in five years I have established a family.

 

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