“I feel so blessed for the career I have,” says Dr. Kyle Couperus.
Today, Kyle Couperus, MD (MBA 2023), is the chief product officer for a company creating training technology that, in his words, “helps heroes save other heroes.” But, the path that led him here took him from a dairy farm in upstate New York to the U.S. Army, through medical school, and eventually to the Technology Management MBA at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. It’s a journey that’s anything but ordinary.
While earning his Technology Management MBA, Dr. Couperus served in the U.S. Army, where he developed a passion for innovation in medical training and technology.
from farm to military service to medical applications
Couperus grew up in upstate New York as the oldest of seven kids. He was homeschooled by his mother and woke up early to milk cows before starting his lessons. His life took an unexpected turn when his mom, who later became a nurse, encouraged him to explore nursing as a teenager. By 15, he was auditing nursing classes. By 19, he was a registered nurse, confident he was done with schooling and had figured out his lifelong career. It turns out that fate had other plans.
A late-night search on EHow.com (“how to become a doctor”) eventually led him to medical school. Couperus had already started medical school at the University of Buffalo in New York when he began thinking about joining the military. His mother, who has always been an inspiring force in his life, was a veteran herself and was supportive of him joining the army.
“I’m very glad I made that decision,” Couperus shares. He joined the army and signed up for the Health Profession Scholarship Program (HPSP). Not only did the military experience (and HPSP fund) his medical school education, but it also ignited his curiosity for research, development, and innovation.
the spark of an idea
During his medical residency at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, Couperus had an “a-ha moment” that led him to the Technology Management MBA. While testing the Microsoft HoloLens, he realized the potential of augmented and virtual reality in training combat medics.
“This technology could be instrumental in preparing medical professionals more efficiently to save lives,” he recalls. That spark led to research grants in the AR/VR space, but he knew he needed something more: a way to turn ideas into impact.
“I had this big moment where I thought, ‘Where can I learn to bring these types of innovations from an idea into reality?’” That’s when the Foster School’s Technology Management MBA came into the picture.
Dr. Kyle Couperus (top row, center) competes in the UW Health Innovation Challenge, an annual Foster entrepreneurship competition in which student teams propose health-related product, service, or process solutions.
finding the right mba fit
Couperus explored many MBA options, but the in-person, 18-month Technology Management MBA at Foster School of Business stood out.
“I knew it would give me the right tools to make the jump from having an idea to bringing it to market. And I was right.” He joined the program in Autumn 2021 and immediately knew Foster was the best fit. “I was with the right people, learning the right skills, and making the right connections in an accelerated and discussion-based format.”
Within six months of starting the program, Couperus landed a role as Director of Learning and Development at a Seattle-based telehealth startup. It was proof that the knowledge, skills, and confidence he gained in the program were already paying off. “The Technology Management MBA gave me the confidence to reach into industries I didn’t know much about and broaden my industrial reach.”
That confidence soon translated into bigger wins. Couperus successfully applied for a nearly $2 million innovation grant to develop training that addresses gaps in the military pipeline, specifically for female combat casualties. Now, as Chief Product Officer, he and his team are preparing to launch a product with the potential to save lives.
“The Technology Management MBA gave me the tools to take my idea across the finish line.”—Dr. Kyle Couperus
MBA lessons that stick
Couperus is quick to credit Foster for helping him grow into his leadership role. “I came into the program with a lot of other education but no insight into what it takes to run a good business. The Technology Management MBA accelerated my learning curve. It took my boots-on-the-ground medical knowledge and helped me turn it into tangible business objectives and goals.”
Looking back, Couperus cites these outstanding Foster faculty for sharing expertise and wisdom that has stood the test of time.
- Entrepreneurial Finance with Lance Young, who imparted an essential understanding of valuation and cash flow projection
- Strategic Marketing Management with Shailendra Pratap Jain, who taught the importance of customer perception and campaign success
- Competitive Strategy with David Tan, whose advice to “do what you do well and trade for the rest” has paid dividends
- Leading Organizational Change with Michael Johnson, whose lessons Couperus carried with him to inspire soldiers during a deployment to Kuwait
- Entrepreneurship with Christian Metcalfe, who taught essentials for navigating the complexities of raising capital
Beyond coursework, Couperus says Foster’s people and career resources made the program transformative. His MBA classmates were innovators from diverse industries who inspired him to think beyond his original vision. Foster career services also connected him with University of Washington alumni who broadened his perspective of what is possible after graduation.
“The Technology Management MBA gave me the tools I needed to take my idea across the finish line,” Couperus said. He specifically credits the MBA’s active learning and simulation throughout his courses. “We had a lot of simulation and active learning in negotiation, debriefs, and investment meetings. These exercises gave me the confidence that I could lead in a business setting and I pull quotes from those experiences all the time.”
Dr. Kyle Couperus (MBA 2023, left) celebrates graduation with classmates from the University of Washington Foster School of Business Technology Management MBA program—an 18-month program designed for working professionals advancing their careers in technology and leadership.
balancing the technology management mba, family, and military service
Couperus completed the 18-month MBA while working full-time at a tech startup, serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, practicing medicine, and raising a young family. His wife even gave birth to their second child during the program. “The MBA is hard work, but if your family is supportive and you have open conversations about the opportunity, you can achieve anything.”
He credits his mom for sparking his academic journey, his wife for supporting him through his jam-packed schedule, and his professors and mentors for guiding him every step of the way.
reflecting on the mba experience and what’s next
Reflecting on his journey, Couperus says the Technology Management MBA was precisely what he needed to bridge the gap between innovation and impact. “The program gave me the tools to take my idea across the finish line. I use what I learned all the time in my role today.”
He shares one piece of advice for those considering the program: “If you want to shave years off your learning by actually ‘doing,’ go to a structured program like the Technology Management MBA.”
From the farm to Chief Product Officer, Couperus’s story is proof that with vision, determination, and the right education, bold ideas can be brought to life.
Learn more about the Technology Management MBA program.