Business Leaders of Tomorrow is a new feature on Online MBA Report in which we are seeking to recognize the top online MBA students across the US. To assemble our list we invited the schools ranked in our 2021 Top 50 Online MBA Programs to nominate their MBA candidates as representatives of their program. Our hope is that this feature sheds positive light on both the most talented, hardworking and deserving online MBA students across the US, as well as the outstanding online MBA programs of which they attend. The list is ordered alphabetically.
| Student | University |
|---|---|
| Aislyn Allen | Ohio University, College of Business |
| Ana Karina Torres Payan | University of Arizona, Eller College of Management |
| Antje Schickert | University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium |
| Brooks Jordan | North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management |
| Carla Mayorga Bernet | North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management |
| Christina Green | University of Washington, Foster School of Business |
| Elaine Fredriksson | Boise State University, College of Business and Economics |
| Evan Kim | University of Washington, Foster School of Business |
| Genevieve Everett-Sigwalt, MD | The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business |
| Jackie Haydock | Indiana University, Kelley School of Business |
| Jamile Schmidt | University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business |
| Jared A. Hawkins | Indiana University, Kelley School of Business |
| Jennie Wunderlich | University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium |
| Jill Schwartz-Chevlin | The George Washington University School of Business |
| Kado Gorman | Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School |
| Kiza Ann Miller | University of Arizona, Eller College of Management |
| McKary Nassif Tadros | University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business |
| Michael Sassano | Ohio University, College of Business |
| Nick Lucente | The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business |
| Nikita Verma | The George Washington University School of Business |
| Rojia Rashidfarrukhi | Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School |
| Roxanne Hambrick | Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business |
| Tyron Hensel | Boise State University, College of Business and Economics |
| Whitney Pavlovich | University of Denver, Daniels College of Business |
| Zohair Memon | Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business |
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Keene State College, Communications Major, Business Minor
What makes Aislyn a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Aislyn is an individual who is constantly striving to self-improve and challenge herself. She believes that the only thing that can be relied upon in our future in business is that change will be forever continuous, and it is that demand of facing new challenges and surpassing them that she looks forward to the most. In her career, she wants the ability to witness as many “ah-ha” moments as possible. Aislyn is passionate about helping others reach their personal and professional goals. Her greatest accomplishment by far will be encouraging individuals through change and being present to witness the journey or end result.
Aislyn's post MBA career plan: Ideally, Aislyn would like to gain more executive experience within the Vermont Insurance Agents Association as a director on the board in which she was initiated to this coming year of 2022. In the long run, she intends to do executive coaching on a consulting basis bringing teams together, making them more efficient, and concentrating on company cultures. In the future, she intends to be a CEO, Executive Coach, or Executive Director within her industry basing her ambition towards company culture, constant innovation, and relentless dedication within her organization's commitment to grow.
Aislyn's description of the Online MBA experience: Being able to achieve your goals while also being a parent, a full-time worker, and a dance instructor requires flexibility. An Online MBA is the exact flexibility your life needs to pursue a sense of accomplishment professionally. Professors understand that real-world experiences are far more relatable within their concentrations and are able to utilize those experiences to advance your career and find gratification in your work. I’ve connected with the content I am being taught throughout my workday and I no longer have to worry about sacrificing the quality of my education by not electing for an in-person experience.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Tecnológico Nacional de México(Nogales), Accounting
What makes Karina a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Karina is a life-long learner who has often been the youngest member of her team. However, she’s risen in the leadership ranks in recent years from College Intern to Senior Financial Analyst at Continental Automotive(Mexico) and is part of their Leadership Development Program. She has also proven to be a quick-study in making budgetary improvements not only as cost-saving measures, but by also simplifying their internal processes across various departments and locations.
Karina’s post MBA career plan: Karina's immediate career plan is to continue applying the knowledge and tools acquired in the Eller MBA program and advancing in corporate leadership within the automotive industry. Her long-term plan also includes sharing her expertise in in the classroom.
Karina's description of the Online MBA experience: Eller O-MBA has allowed me to accomplish my goal of studying for my master’s while building my professional career, being part of one of the best Online MBA programs without leaving my own country. With students from different parts of the world and industries and diverse professional careers, Eller is a great place to be in contact with different perspectives and enhance the experience and learning of the program. With professors’ experts in the field, the courses are aligned to the current conditions in the real business world, developing hard and soft skills that are applicable in my professional life. In addition to that, Eller offers diverse online activities, like conferences and webinars, that make more integral the O-MBA experience and make you feel part of the university.
Target Graduation Year: 2021
Undergrad College and Major: Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen (Germany) - Molecular Biology and Immunology
What makes Antje Business Leader of Tomorrow? Antje joined the UW MBA Consortium with a strong science and research background, holding a Ph.D. in biology. Different work experiences in research sparked an interest in management concepts and led her to work toward an MBA. Antje has found success in the program and instructors have noticed, identifying her as a leader in discussions and group projects. In addition to instructors taking note of her contributions, her desire to expand her skills and knowledge show that she is a Business Leader of Tomorrow.
Antje's post MBA career plan: Antje is currently working as a product manager for a biotech company and is exploring different career opportunities. Antje plans to further her career by leading global teams that deploy innovative solutions focused on advancing medical sciences and business growth.
Antje's description of the Online MBA experience: The MBA program offered through the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium allowed me to further my education beyond life sciences and expand my business skills. The experience has been invaluable and more rewarding than expected. I had the unique opportunity to work with subject matter experts from diverse backgrounds. The passionate professors and my knowledgeable peers made this learning experience challenging and equipped me to be a successful leader of a multicultural, cross-functional team. It can be complex to balance professional life, education, and family time. The online setting allowed me flexibility even when taking on new professional responsibilities and traveling extensively for business. It is satisfying to see that the knowledge I gained in my MBA immediately impacted my professional performance. My technical expertise, paired with my business acumen, have allowed me to expand my network of talented business leaders and continue my professional growth.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: NC State University, Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology
What makes Brooks a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Brooks is an NC State alum with a BS in Biological Sciences, and a research associate at KBI Biopharma. He’s also a busy professional working on industry-based research projects as well as an excellent student in our professional part-time online MBA program. Brooks’ charismatic personality and remarkable leadership qualities have made him the right choice to lead the Board of our Professional MBA Delegates. He brings energy, enthusiasm and commitment to all activities he coordinates and he’s a pleasure to work with.
Brooks' post MBA career plan: Brooks will continue his career in operations in the biopharmaceutical industry ensuring safe and efficient development of new medicines. He is particularly interested in utilizing Big Data in new ways to contribute to the development of new treatments.
Brooks' description of the Online MBA experience: My online MBA experience through NC State was a transformative experience for both my professional and personal growth. Balancing my life outside of school with the graduate level workload was difficult at times, but the connections I made with both my fellow students and the faculty motivated me to restructure how I approached the learning process and push myself to grow. With my background in Molecular Biology, I was nervous to step into the MBA program as I assumed I would be far behind my peers in terms of my business acumen and general understanding of accounting, but I found that my peers were more similar to myself than I thought. Many of us were nervous of taking on this growth and pushing ourselves to learn more about the business world than any of us had experienced before. Between the incredible faculty, supportive peers, and challenging workload, I found myself growing in ways I never knew were possible and applying my newfound knowledge almost immediately in my current position. NC State has been a blessing in building not only my professional skill set and network, but finding long lasting friendships with both my peers and the faculty. “For the Strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack” - Rudyard Kipling
Target Graduation Year: 2021
Undergrad College and Major: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelor in Economics & Minor in Geography
What makes Carla a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Carla is currently a Grants Manager at the number one school of pharmacy in the nation according to US News &World Report, the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She is a young professional who is not only committed to excelling as a student, but also to working as a volunteer as a Sunday teacher at her church, always opened to grow professionally. She’s also very responsive when helping others including fellow classmates.
Carla's post MBA career plan: After graduation Carla plans to continue learning and thriving in her career. She hopes to jump to a senior management position in the private sector and after a few years start her own business.
Carla's description of the Online MBA experience: It has been such a wonderful journey making my way through the different courses at the Jenkins MBA program at the Poole College of Management. The high-quality of the faculty, staff, and students amazed me constantly. I have learned a great deal from each professor and from every student that I have had the pleasure to work with in a team. I am so thankful for all the support from the amazing faculty and staff. The faculty are experts in their fields, extremely well-rounded individuals, and employ highly effective teaching techniques. Completing the MBA program while working full-time and planning my wedding was a challenge but it has proved very fruitful. It is a blessing to be able to apply what I am learning in school directly to my current job. The MBA program has allowed me to hone the various interpersonal, managerial and technical skills needed to succeed in today’s career world.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: UC Irvine, BS Physics, Spanish, Philosophy of Physics
What makes Christina a Business Leader of Tomorrow? In her Effective Teams class, the concept of leading by inquiry was something that really stuck with her. Christina immediately applied this concept and it's helped her and her classmates to be curious about other opinions and ideas in the room while refraining from just pushing ideas and plans forward. I have seen her lead by example in this area with her cohort and team. Christina practices inquiry because she believes it will help future business leaders embrace and leverage the diverse world we live in and make sure the best ideas move forward, and not just the ones from the most established voice in the room. She strives to model senior leaders who she sees do an excellent job of this, and really dig deep into a topic by asking questions to get to the heart of the discussion.
Christina's post MBA career plan: Post MBA, Christina wants to be a change agent for diversity, inclusion and belonging in the tech industry. Short term she'd like to do this as a product leader at her current company, and eventually she'd like to support underrepresented startup founders, either as an investor or in another capacity. In the meantime, she wants to get involved with a non-profit that supports kids in exploring careers in the tech industry.
Christina's description of the Online MBA experience: My MBA experience has been so much more enriching than I ever thought possible. I considered business school for a few years before I finally applied, because I was unsure of the ROI for my particular path. When I started at Foster, I knew that some of the classes sounded really exciting to me, but I didn't know I would love just about every single class I've had so far. Working with professors who are all as passionate about their fields as they are about teaching has made each course engaging and fun. It has been so much hard work, but it's also been so rewarding even only halfway through. And working with really smart classmates has really stretched my thinking on topics ranging from accounting class to soft skills like conflict management. I can't imagine a better place to learn leadership skills than at Foster and with this cohort.
Target Graduation Year: 2021
Undergrad College and Major: Boise State University, Bachelor of Business Administration and Associate of Science
What makes Elaine a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Elaine is a Boise local, accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, and manager who conducts herself in a highly ethical and professional manner with a strong adherence to industry and legal standards. While working toward her Master of Business Administration at Boise State University, she has expanded her brick-and-mortar-business, Flor De Sol Boutique, across the United States. As the owner and CEO of Flor De Sol Boutique, she believes in utilizing her businesses to give back to the community and empower women in the business industry. She attributes her success as a business leader to her education, wise decision making, self-motivation, and strong communication skills. Elaine has not only applied her strong desire for excellence in her career, but also in the classroom and in her personal life.
Elaine's post MBA career plan: Elaine plans to continue pursuing her career path in entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Elaine has owned her own businesses for a few years and the MBA program gave her the knowledge and opportunity to pursue her goals of expanding her brick-and-mortar retail stores across the U.S. while using her business as a vehicle to give back to her communities.
Elaine's description of the Online MBA experience: This was the most valuable decision I have made to advance my career in entrepreneurship and my life. The student collaborations and the classes provided the convenience of succeeding at running my business while completing my graduate degree full-time. In addition, the professors and advisors are devoted to your success and were available to guide me to my needed resources. The Online MBA program at Boise State University will inspire you and give you the tools to help you pursue your passions as it brings leadership to life.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Western Washington University, Bachelor's in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management
What makes Evan a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Evan values three major things as a business leader of tomorrow: a growth mindset, authenticity, and empathy. In our increasingly connected world, divergent views and differing lived experiences will continue to polarize our interactions and discourse at an exponential rate. To combat this, and to ensure a more equitable and just future, will require strong emotional intelligence and a willingness to continue to learn from those around us.
Evan's post MBA career plan: Evan plans plan to continue building beautiful products that are inclusive to diverse audiences, while advocating for anti-racism and combatting environmental injustice.
Evan's description of the Online MBA experience: My UW Foster Hybrid MBA experience has been full of supportive mentors and peers that have pushed me to achieve success in ways I could never even imagine prior to the program. Being part of such a strong community has helped me understand my core values and beliefs, my most translatable skills, and the organizational cultures that resonate most with me. This focus on reflection has allowed me to recognize what I need in order to bring my whole, authentic self to both my personal and professional relationships.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: University of Pittsburgh, Majors in English Writing and History and Philosophy of Science
What makes Genevieve a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Genevieve is the Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at LifePoint Conemaugh Health System. In addition to caring for patients across multiple Pennsylvania counties, she has experience as a Physician Adviser and Consultant. Having studied at Jefferson Medical College, Genevieve completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Cariology and Cardiac Electrophysiology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Through her contributions to the community, dedication to her patients, and commitment to academic success and professional growth, Genevieve is an exemplary Business Leader of Tomorrow.
Genevieve's post MBA career plan: Genevieve has been pursuing her career as a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist over the past decade. She plans to use the knowledge she is gaining from her MBA program to improve subspecialty care access in rural hospitals.
Genevieve's description of the Online MBA experience: Obtaining my MBA has been both enlightening and rewarding. Taking classes in a variety of subject areas that are pertinent to healthcare and hospital management has allowed me to better understand the organizational aspects of the medical industry. These areas of study provide a complement to the clinical knowledge I obtained in medical school and allow me to work with my hospital administration more effectively. I have had the fortune of partaking in a concentration titled "Healthcare Business" where my elective classes are targeted specifically to the healthcare industry. Many of my courses have allowed me to compare and contrast different aspects of organizations within and across industries. Sharing ideas across organizations and industries provides an excellent means to improve and innovate within a company. My MBA education has provided both knowledge and networking opportunities which I will continue to pursue following graduation from the program.
Target Graduation Year: 2024
Undergrad College and Major: Indiana University, Public Affairs
What makes Jackie a Business Leader of Tomorrow? As a digital health attorney at Microsoft, you better believe Jackie Haydock stays busy given she is balancing the Kelley Direct Online MBA on top of her demanding career. Widely regarded as a thought leader in her field, Jackie represents all that the Kelley School of Business and the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program stand for: she has showcased her talents in order to find success in the classroom, she has the humility to grow and is always looking for new areas in AI and digital health law in order to grow professionally. Finally, she has shown the tenacity to persevere, evident in her approach to tackling the stickiest issues emerging in digital health. Jackie is always looking to serve others and in her free time focuses on areas such as healthcare disparities, often writing and speaking about diversity, inclusion, and the importance of a growth mindset in the legal profession.
Jackie's post MBA career plan: Jackie intends to leverage her MBA to grow in her career as a strategic legal and business leader in the Digital Health industry, specifically leading and supporting health projects at Microsoft.
Jackie's description of the Online MBA experience: My experience at Kelley School of Business and the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program has been a rewarding experience. This program has been a fantastic opportunity for me to embrace a mid-career challenge and grow exponentially as a business leader. While I currently spend my days at Microsoft as a Digital Health attorney supporting cutting-edge health technology projects, I wanted to pursue an MBA to grow my understanding and mastery of business and financial concepts, tools and strategies so I can be a better leader in both legal and business. As such, I took the leap and enrolled in the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program. This program has exposed me to so many new and fascinating business and finance topics and areas, including, but not limited to, accounting, strategy, finance, operations, corporate innovation and marketing. I have had the opportunity to meet an impressive and diverse group of peers located throughout the globe and learn from these peers through collaboration on both fast-paced and in-depth learning assignments. My professors are dedicated to providing a first-class educational experience and are regularly available for questions and inquiries. Finally, the online modality of this program allows me to balance my career in Washington state while still pursuing an MBA at Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. As a born and raised Hoosier and two-time alumnus of Indiana University (undergrad and law school), this was a win-win for me! I recommend the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program for any motivated professional wanting to pursue an MBA.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Chemical Engineering at Wayne State University
What makes Jamile a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Jamile has had an extensive work experience, spanning across multiple engineering fields and industries. She had several phenomenal supervisors and mentors in her past who provided opportunities for her to shape her leadership skills. Their examples instilled a strong drive in Jamile to continue the spirit of coaching, and it is this quality that makes her a business leader of tomorrow. Her successes at Eaton Corporation, GE Aviation, United Technologies, Rockwell Collins, and Northrop Grumman are too many to count, but can be explained by her strongest quality: she assembles and inspires diverse teams. From her impressive career to the influence she displays with her classmates, it is evident that Jamile's leadership is just beginning. Jamile's humility sets her apart from many business professionals -with a desire to learn from all. Jamile is constantly promoting positive change within her organization, her classmates, and her social spheres. The MBA Online Program at Utah knows that she has contributed in such a positive way to increase the value of the program and the network.
Jamile's post MBA career plan: As a military spouse, frequent relocations can be a challenge for my career progressions. Earning a Master of Business Administration will increase my skillset and boost my credentials in my growth in Engineering Management.
Jamile's description of the Online MBA experience: The experience I gained from the MBA online program at the University of Utah will have a profound impact on my professional growth in years to come. My undergraduate studies were all in-classroom, but with my career and family, an online graduate program was the only practical option. The program, albeit all online, is top notch. The professors and their teachings inspire, challenge, and enrich us. I feel as though I have met life-long friends in this program and had the greatest time meeting them all in-person at our Residency. The coursework pushed me to set and achieve higher goals, personally and professionally, while also providing opportunities to build strong relationships, network, and seek mentorship from career coaches. I feel a strong connection with my MBA experience and happy I made the leap to attend this University. Go, Utes!
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Rice University, Dual Degree- Spanish and Music Performance
What makes Jared a Business Leader of Tomorrow? When you ask faculty who stands out as a star student at the Kelley School of Business, Jared Hawkins is one of those students. During his time at Kelley, he has impressed both inside the classroom and within his profession, taking a role as a senior manager of employee relations at Raytheon Technologies halfway through his MBA studies. This move expanded his HR portfolio into the aerospace sector, building on his previous experiences in energy and technology. This career advancement is typical of a Kelley student, but Jared stands out given his background was not in business. Holding a bachelor’s degree in music performance and Hispanic studies, Jared brings a well-rounded perspective into his work in the business realm and his contributions in the classroom. He is focused on relationships and stands out as a team player -- engaging wholeheartedly in his MBA weekly live sessions with Kelley faculty and fellow students.
Jared's post MBA career plan: Currently a senior manager of human resources within Raytheon Technologies, Jared plans to leverage his MBA focus on leadership and strategy to earn his executive coaching certification and expand his 10-year HR career into strategic Human Capital Management.
Jared's description of the Online MBA experience: Prior to beginning my MBA studies, I always wanted to go back to earn an advanced degree in business, and I knew an online program would allow me the flexibility to apply knowledge in real time. I enrolled in the Kelley Direct MBA program just before the pandemic started, and even though I have waited longer than many to earn a Master’s degree, the timing could not have been more ideal. I specifically chose Kelley Direct because the curriculum provides a robustly balanced quantitative and qualitative approach. My professors have been acutely in tune with the real world’s current events and continually seek to integrate course content with the state of the world’s top organizations and key industries. Being able to attend live classes and connect with students and professors from around the world and in a modern way has been refreshing, and it re-energized me in how I showed up at work even during challenging times. The Kelley Direct MBA program has proven to me that online learning continues to be an effective and valuable experience for career-focused, developing business professionals.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: The United States Military Academy - B.S. in Nuclear Engineering, Major: Law
What makes Jennie Business Leader of Tomorrow? Jennie helps lead a fourth generation, family-owned business and has already applied a number of concepts to the business she has learned in her time with the UW MBA Consortium. She has also been able to share her knowledge and insights from the family business with other students in the program, which have added significant value in the classes. During her first year in the program, one instructor called her a "true leader" and another said she was an "exceptional student with an even brighter future."
Jennie's post MBA career plan: Jennie plans to continue to use what she has learned in the UW MBA Consortium to lead and grow her family's distribution business. She also hopes to use her leadership and passion for service in a local public office.
Jennie's description of the Online MBA experience: I think the greatest and most pleasant surprise of the UW MBA Consortium is the easily applicable tools I've learned. Many of the courses allowed me to discuss and gain valuable insights to use in our business today. The professors are personable and want students to gain value from the material to not only benefit their professions, but also their lives outside of work. My fellow students respectfully discussed challenging topics and encouraged me personally and professionally, making the experience much more enjoyable and beneficial. I had been out of school for so many years before starting the program that I worried I wouldn't be able to get back into the academic environment; however, my advisor and instructors coached and cared from day one so that I could not only tackle the courses, but also learn and improve my communication and decision-making skills. I am thankful for this quality program filled with great people.
Target Graduation Year: 2021
Undergrad College and Major: Rutgers University, Electrical Engineering
What makes Jill a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Jill brought a wealth of experience to the MBA program. After completing her medical degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, she completed her residency with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Jill’s career has focused on hospice, palliative, and home-based care, including a long history of leadership roles in startup companies within the healthcare field. This background aided Jill’s strong academic performance within the program, but it also made Jill a valuable resource to her faculty and fellow students. Jill’s focus on technology’s role in the healthcare field, especially around accessing healthcare for complex-patients, will be important in a world where the global pandemic as made everyone reexamine how they operate.
Jill's post MBA career plan: Jill's post-MBA career plans are to remain within leadership in the medical field, at the level of Chief Medical Officer, working for a tech-enabled business enhancing care for the most medically complex patients.
Jill's description of the Online MBA experience: The program provided an incredible interactive learning experience that was applicable to my daily work. Our professors love what they teach and make themselves accessible to their students. The program has taken the blinders off my life- helping me understand global international business issues and ethical issues that businesses deal with on a daily basis, organizational/structure issues, organizational management processes and strategy (to name a few). The business section of the WSJ is now fun to read.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: University of California Los Angeles, English Language and Literature
What makes KaDo a Business Leader of Tomorrow? After graduating from UCLA and working in finance, KaDo spent 10 years raising her children and doing nonprofit work in her community. After a divorce, she found herself back in the workforce at age 40 with a sizable gap on her resume and in her business skills. New to the corporate world, to HR, and working alongside people half her age, KaDo faced a huge learning curve. Her solution? More education. Business Leaders of Tomorrow come from all types of backgrounds, and KaDo serves as a role model to everyone re-entering the workforce or considering a later-in-life career change.
KaDo's post MBA career plan: KaDo is driven by a desire to make the world a better place for her sons, and to model to them the hard work and dedication necessary to overcome challenges and reach your goals. She plans to continue in her HR learning and development role at Nike using the business skills she gained, but if she ever wants a change she knows her Pepperdine MBA will open doors:
"I know that no matter where I go in the world for a job—I could go to New York, I could go to Sydney—it doesn’t matter if I have an MBA from Pepperdine.”
KaDo's description of the Online MBA experience: KaDo says that her relationships with Pepperdine’s faculty have been inspiring and personalized. She feels fully supported by her classmates, and the online format has only promoted communication and relationships. When wildfires in Oregon forced residents to stay inside for days at a time this past fall, she reached out to her professor and said she couldn’t finish the homework, given her mental state. He gave KaDo a pep talk—and a couple extra days to turn in her assignment.
“My professor would call me and just check in to see how I was doing. There is so much personalized attention. Who has a professor that calls you out of the blue and says, ‘I just wanted to tell you, you rocked that presentation?’ Who does that?”
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: University of Denver Daniels College of Business, Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management
What makes Kiza a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Every year, Kiza is learning, elevating and crafting bespoke journeys for everyone involved, all in the middle of a high-stakes and cross-functional work stream intended to provide Nike’s employees and consumers with a top-tier experience. Her intent going into the MBA program was to use it as a springboard to become the Event Lead of the Olympics at Nike, a goal that was accomplished this year! She’s looking to build on that goal for the upcoming Paris Olympics, and hopes to up the ante not only when it comes to helping craft amazing experiences for teams at Nike as a priority project lead, but also by enabling their internal leaders to create unforgettable events and product moments for consumers. As an integral member of the Global Event team, she has worked on more than 15 events that have won a coveted Maxim Award, Nike’s highest internal honor, for work completed on the Rio 2016 Olympics, Breaking2, the Nike x NBA Launch, Future Forum 2020 and three World Cups (Men’s & Women’s). She has also been recognized for her involvement with numerous NBA All-Star Weekends along with creating an Event Training Program tied to that event, which she built from 20 people to 500+ over the course of her tenure. The training program was built to onboard new event teammates and ensure they have the experience required to work on the premium events that we deliver, and its proven one of the most successful training programs at Nike to date thanks to my partnership with an incredible team.
Kiza's post MBA career plan: Kiza will use her MBA to further elevate Nike, Inc.’s services and experiences tied to major sporting events around the world. The work she does serves professional athletes, internal employees, international media and global consumers and will use the knowledge gained to better partner, plan and deliver for every best-in-class event she helps drive.
Kiza's description of the Online MBA experience: I never thought I would have the time to complete my MBA based on the volume of events I work and the amount of travel I did. However, with a decrease in events due to the pandemic, I finally found the time I needed to grow and focus on my education. Eller’s Online MBA Program gave me a purpose and something to work towards. It has also taught me to look at things from a holistic perspective and how to better communicate with internal partners. During my work on the 2020/21 Tokyo Olympics, I partnered closely with our Finance department and finally felt as though I was able to clearly understand what they were looking for and how best to give them the information needed thanks to my experience with Eller’s program!
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Construction Engineering at American University of Cairo
What makes McKary a Business Leader of Tomorrow? McKary is a senior Oil & Gas professional with almost two decades of experience in the oil & gas market-leading service corporations. He worked and consulted for three out of the big four service providers in this field and served in every major location across the MENA region. His technical skills come from drilling demanding well profiles in very diverse terrains, while his managerial expertise comes from implementing demanding projects to clients with varying business models from all over the world.
In 2019, He successfully completed his Master’s degree in petroleum engineering from Cairo University after defending his thesis on “Correlating the Effect of Natural Lubricity of Carbonate Reservoir on Torque and Drag of Horizontal Wells – Case Study.”
Beyond his impressive resume, McKary has never let the timezone difference interfere with his studies. Despite it being in the middle of the night where he is located, McKary never misses his optional webinars and is always active and engaged. He is truly a model student for the MBA Online program and we are excited to see what leadership he brings to the future.
McKary's post MBA career plan: After McKary's MBA, he plans to work as an Implementation Consultant or Project Manager. He is looking forward to leveraging the new skills he has learned in the MBA program and his practical experience to navigate the new realities and challenges necessary to sustain growth in the Energy market of the 21st Century.
McKary's description of the Online MBA experience: I have had an amazing experience with the Eccles School of Business MBA online program. The program is designed to deliver the highest level of academic quality to international students who are seeking an American experience without leaving their home countries. The program was a Godsend opportunity during the early times of the Covid-19 pandemic. It enabled me to pursue my educational goals while in lockdown, bypassing all the administrative and logistical challenges of learning in the USA and, at the same time, remain close to my family during these difficult times. There is plenty of interaction with faculty and other colleagues from my cohort, which allowed me to learn and enjoy a comparable experience to a full-time MBA program. It has been quite challenging to attend every class with an eight-hour time difference, but the experience was so pleasant it was definitely worth it.
Target Graduation Year: 2021
Undergrad College and Major: Penn State University, Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration
What makes Michael a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Michael has worked closely with administrators with different leadership approaches from various entities throughout his current professional experience, which has taught him the importance of putting people first. Through his education and professional experience, he has the analytical and business acumen needed to be a successful administrator. Also, he possess the emotional intelligence and interpersonal soft-skills developed through his hospice experiences, which allow him to be a high-functioning and compassionate leader. Through a promotional opportunity to Senior Healthcare Account Representative for UPMC Home Health and Family Hospice, he has been fortunate to work across a variety of regions to coach peers on business development strategies that have been proven for growth. His background working in hospice business development, along with his educational experiences, have prepared him to lead with both compassion and intelligence.
Michael's post MBA career plan: Upon completion of the MBA program, a major goal of Michael's is to work in management at a multi-specialty physician practice setting. His primary interest is in healthcare operations, and he wants to utilize his healthcare strategy knowledge gained through the Ohio University MBA program to assist in improving business processes across physician groups. Through a management opportunity within the physician group network, he wants to utilize his MBA education and managerial experience to move into the hospital administration sector.
Michael's description of the Online MBA experience: The Ohio University online MBA program has provided me with the opportunity to earn a high-quality education virtually that has accommodated my work schedule. The utilization of group work and real-life application has made the experience like that of an in-person learning environment. The program was challenging, engaging, and rewarding. I have had the opportunity to learn from expert faculty in business and healthcare that offer the flexibility that is necessary for a full-time working professional.
Target Graduation Year: 2023
Undergrad College and Major: University of Scranton, BS Marketing
What makes Nick a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Nick is the Senior Director, Oncology Digital Marketing at Bayer. With over a decade of industry experience in marketing and analytics, Nick is a proven leader and is regarded among his peers and colleagues as an asset. His continued commitment to concurrent academic success and professional application has resulted in recognition and deserved growth opportunities; capturing Nick’s character as an exceptional Business Leader of Tomorrow.
Nick's post MBA career plan: Nick plans on continuing to grow in his career as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry, where he has a passion to help patients receive life-saving medicines. His ultimate goal is to become a Chief Marketing Officer within the life sciences industry.
Nick's description of the Online MBA experience: My experience in the Penn State Online MBA program has been nothing short of stellar. When I was searching for a program, it was very important that I have flexibility without sacrificing the academic rigor and networking that come with the MBA experience. Penn State’s program delivered that and more. The education has been immediately applicable in my career and has helped me grow both inside and outside the classroom. I continue to be impressed by the opportunities to build my network in a virtual environment. Lastly, the administration and faculty have been supportive in helping me navigate my academic journey and setting me up for success. I’ve truly felt welcomed and a valued part of the Penn State community, of which I am incredibly grateful for.
Target Graduation Year: 2021
Undergrad College and Major: George Mason University, Information Systems and Operations Management
What makes Nikita a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Nikita Verma came to the program with a background in information systems and with work experience in the consulting world, especially focused on cyber security and risk. Nikita was engaged and dedicated from the very beginning of the program, actively participating both inside and outside of the classroom. Nikita’s academic performance ranks among the absolute top of her peers, and she participated in the co-curricular Community of Practice on consulting. Although still early in her career, Nikita displays the dedication and ability to be a leader of the future, and her focus on cyber security puts her right in the middle of a field important to so many aspects of society.
Nikita's post MBA career plan: In the short-term, Nikita intends to leverage her MBA skills to take on a senior role before transitioning into fulfilling her long-term dream of having her own small business specializing in cyber and compliance to bid for contracts in the federal space.
Nikita's description of the Online MBA experience: My journey to completing the George Washington Online MBA has been one of the most rewarding and invaluable experiences. The expert faculty, networking, and certificate opportunities have allowed me to grow not only professionally but also personally. The classes I've taken enforced my understanding while also leaving me with additional knowledge applicable to the world. I have truly enjoyed learning about the nuances of business, strategic leadership, and much more. Overall, the best aspect has been having amazing professors guide me while I worked collaboratively with brilliant peers in understanding and applying core business principles through various scenarios.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: California State University - Northridge, Business Administration
What makes Rojia a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Working as a professional recruiter, Rojia understands the importance of establishing and growing relationships because it is central to her day-to-day work. The diversity of the program student body, coupled with the unique backgrounds and teaching approaches of the faculty have enriched the learning experience and deepened Rojia’s relationship and collaboration skills.
Rojia's post MBA career plan: Because she is continuing to work full time as the Director of Talent Acquisition at Northwest Mutual, Rojia says the impact of the program on her professional development has been immediate. She credits the program with developing her confidence to leading large meetings and to step outside of her comfort zone.
Rojia's description of the Online MBA experience: “I had expectations of what I thought this program would be, but I have to say that those expectations have been exceeded substantially. The culture at Pepperdine is open, supportive, challenging, professional, and respectful. I definitely did not expect to be getting this amount of support and excitement through an online program.”
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Wayne State University, Psychology
What makes Roxanne a Business Leader of Tomorrow? With an MSW from University of Michigan already, Roxanne joined the MBA@Rice program as a licensed clinical social worker. She owns and runs her private practice and is planning on turning it into a psychotherapy group practice with the guidance of her online MBA curriculum. In addition to utilizing her expertise of psychiatric work in emergency room settings, Roxanne continues to balance her personal, professional and educational careers as a business leader of tomorrow.
Roxanne's post MBA career plan: I intend to stay within the healthcare industry specializing in behavioral health. I plan to implement strategic and innovative interventions for those suffering from behavioral health issues in hopes to reduce readmissions and better health outcomes.
Roxanne's description of the Online MBA experience: During my enrollment at Rice University, I’ve learned a great deal regarding business models,
strategy, financing techniques and analysis and branding. My experience as a student in the MBA@Rice program allowed me many opportunities to meet and engage with my professors and peers from all around the world, in many different industries, who are preparing to be the business leaders of tomorrow. The courses challenge me intellectually and being a student again has been quite a rewarding experience. I feel well prepared for what the world has to offer and the vast opportunities for success.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: Stellenbosch University, Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts
What makes Tyron a Business Leader of Tomorrow? As a small-town boy from rural South Africa, the chances of going to a University were slim to none for Tyron. However, hard work and perseverance paid off as he worked to put himself through school by washing dishes and serving at a local restaurant in his hometown. Fast forward 18 years later, Tyron never thought he would work for one of the most prestigious entertainment companies in the world – Cirque Du Soleil – let alone live in the United States and pursue a Master in Business Administration. However, his hard work, character and determination has paid off. As Associate Company Manager at Cirque Du Soleil, Tyron has core rules to live and lead by: lead by example, care for the people you work with, discover the answers to complex situations together, be as positive as possible, and never expect anyone to do something you’re not comfortable doing yourself. His strong moral work ethic and compassion for others has guided him over the past 13 years as a strong, impactful business leader in the entertainment industry.
Tyron's post MBA career plan: Tyron intends to build on his decades of experience in the arts, live performance, and entertainment industries while leveraging his MBA to pursue opportunities in business development, consulting, and senior leadership positions. Because people are the foundation of any organization, he is focused on building new and strengthening existing human capital-focused cultures to enable organizational success by supporting individuals and their vital contributions.
Tyron's description of the Online MBA experience: Boise State’s Online MBA was a great experience and an outstanding value. Beginning with the admissions process and continuing throughout the program, my academic and admissions counselor has been there every step of the way with an answer to every question. The professors are engaged, personable, and available for individual and small group meetings. The online program allowed me to attend one of the nation’s best regarded MBA programs while navigating two cross-country moves all without missing a beat. Most importantly, Boise’s program introduced me to people from across the country and in a variety of industries who all share a passion for personal and professional development. Boise State’s Online MBA program strengthened my personal and professional management and leadership skills, expertly preparing me for the next chapter in my career.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: University of Northern Colorado; Business Administration
What makes Whitney a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Whitney's impressive background in sales and advertising and her career trajectory and goals are clear indicators she will continue progressing as an impactful business leader. She currently is in a VP of Sales role, has a proven record of managing teams and relationships with various stakeholders, and is pacing towards a C-level position. Additionally, Whitney has been an incredible contributor to the learning environment and to the MBA@Denver community. She serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador and always represents the MBA@Denver program to the highest degree and with the utmost integrity.
Whitney's post MBA career plan: Whitney Pavlovich’s post-MBA goal is to continue climbing the executive leadership ladder in sales and advertising. With 15+ years of sales and management under her belt, her objective joining the University of Denver’s MBA program has been to advance her career from Vice President of Sales to Chief Revenue Officer, and eventually Chief Executive Officer. She plans to accomplish these by obtaining her MBA with a concentration in Finance and potentially exploring a PhD. She has been thrilled with the quality of real-time on the job implementation the program has offered thus far and is looking forward to the opportunities the program will provide upon completion.
Whitney's description of the Online MBA experience: I selected the University of Denver’s MBA Program because of the program’s stellar reputation and thus far, it has far surpassed any of my expectations. I am continuously impressed with the professionalism and caliber of the program’s professors and staff. Their commitment to excellence and student success is genuine and reflected in the amount of time they are willing to spend with students inside and outside the classroom. Being a fulltime working wife and mother of two, this commitment is greatly appreciated. I also appreciate my hardworking peers. Everyone in this program is clearly here by choice and committed to taking the next step in their careers. Each person operates with the highest level of integrity, the way Bill Daniels would have expected. And since entering the program I have found it imperative to hold myself to a higher standard as well.
In summary, I am beyond thrilled and grateful for the experience the University of Denver Online MBA program has offered me thus far. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to advance their career or explore additional opportunities. This program has been a game changer for me, and I am so thankful to have taken that first step.
Target Graduation Year: 2022
Undergrad College and Major: University of Houston, Petroleum Engineering
What makes Zohair a Business Leader of Tomorrow? With an undergraduate degree in petroleum engineering, Zohair started the program as a quality engineer and manager in the corporate sector while building and growing his own consulting company for quality management and engineering for businesses. Since the start of his MBA@Rice education, he has been able to utilize the program's prestigious curriculum and take on running his consulting company full-time. The flexibility and convenience of the program has allowed him to consistently travel between three continents for work while instilling the confidence and knowledge frameworks necessary to vet his ideas from planning to execution.
Zohair's post MBA career plan: I want to continue scaling my business, DeepwaterQA & Engineering, to further revolutionize offshore oil and gas project execution by offering services geared towards equipment reliability, operational efficiency, long-term sustainability and overall project excellence.
Zohair's description of the Online MBA experience: My experience within the Rice MBA program has been instrumental to my success in planning, strategizing and executing three different oil and gas ventures during my time in the program. The flexibility and convenience of the program allowed me to consistently travel between three continents for work while instilling the confidence and knowledge frameworks necessary to vet my ideas from planning to execution. The MBA program provided me with the skills needed to effectively manage my corporate finance decisions, strategize my offerings, identify/enhance my customer's value, and how to actively navigate in the face of competition. The Jones Graduate School of Business has been the primary reason for my success in the oil and gas industry and tremendous growth mindset over the last 1.5 years while in the program. The curriculum and knowledge gained were applicable the same day in my workplace. The program encompasses professors who are world renowned experts in their respective areas, and they were available to offer their insight into my day-to-day problems and helped instill confidence within me to face some of my hardest business growth moments. The school also provided an immense sense of community within my cohort and within the Student Programs Office, which goes above and beyond to ensure our development, success and satisfaction. I have seen my career and motivations skyrocket in the last 1.5 years, and I cannot imagine what I will accomplish during the rest of my career since I have harnessed the Rice MBA skills and applications.
