Student Ambassadors

The student ambassadors below are just a few of the many current students who generously volunteer their time to answer your questions about the Foster MBA program.

• To connect with MBA student ambassadors, please contact [email protected].
• To connect with veteran MBA students, email the Veteran Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].
• You can also connect with our Alumni Ambassadors at [email protected].
• Questions about diversity at Foster? Contact Austin Montgomery, Diversity Initiatives Coordinator, at [email protected]
• Contact the Women in Business Club, at [email protected]

 

Featured Ambassadors: Class of 2020 and 2021

JB Simpkins Class of 2020 Hometown; Texas, USA Pre-MBA Job: Education-Administration Email JB	Desired Industry: Consulting, Product Management Why Foster?: Location, small class size, culture Advice: Don’t overthink the admission process. Be yourself. Clubs: Consulting Club, Tech Club, Outdoor Sports Industry Club, Leadership and Management Society, Net Impact
Austin L Montgomery Class of 2020 Hometown: Kirkland, WA Pre-MBA Job: Utilities Manager, Military Email Austin	Desired Industry: Finance, either investment banking or corporate finance Why Foster?: Foster offered a great sense of community. Advice: If you can, visit your prospective schools, sit in on classes and talk to current and former students. Look beyond rankings and really try to get an idea of what the community is like. Clubs: Foster Research Partners, Finance Society, Diversity in Business, Foster Veterans Association
Ruchi Singh Class of 2020 Hometown: India / Singapore Pre-MBA Job: Strategy & Account Management, Financial Services Email Ruchi	Desired Industry: Strategy/Management Consulting, Investment Management Why Foster?: I was looking to focus on building my academic toolkit and wanted a program with a high level of engagement in the classroom, both from the students and teachers. A class visit confirmed that both the students and teachers really wanted to be in the room and valued a healthy discussion. I couldn’t ignore how Foster ‘felt’ right when I came to visit on-campus. All my interactions with faculty, staff, and students were very genuine, so I knew what I was getting myself into, and it just felt right. Advice: Be true to yourself. Figure out what you’re looking for in the next 2 years during b-school and the kind of activities, opportunities, and people you’d like to surround yourself with. Once you determine these ‘non-negotiables’, stick to them and seek these out when you visit campuses and interact with people from different programs to determine the best fit for you. Don’t ignore your gut feeling! Clubs: Consulting Society, Women in Business, Strategy Club, Finance Society, MBA Association
Aaron Sachs Class of 2020 Hometown: New York Pre-MBA Job: Technology Consulting – Product Manager Email Aaron	Desired Industry: Work in a product management capacity at a HealthTech or BioTech startup – possibly one with an AI/ML application. Why Foster?: Being able to make quality and closer connections was really important. My conversations with students and faculty prior to joining were among the best that I had among all the schools that I was considering (the most genuine, and I got the sense that students truly cared about the successes of their classmates). Moreover, the Seattle tech/healthcare scene community is up and coming and known to be manageable, approachable, and not as overwhelming or hard to enter as some of the more well-known markets. Advice: Don’t get caught up with the rankings, focus on your career goals and what location/community is right for you to learn and network best in. Talk to students and faculty who are taking advantage of some of the resources that you might see yourself getting involved with. Clubs: Healthcare and Biotechnology Association, Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club, Challenge 4 Charity, Venture Fellows
Mariana Xu Class of 2020 Hometown: Hong Kong（China） Pre-MBA Job: Financial Service Wealth Management Email Mariana	Desired Industry: Marketing Strategy Why Foster?: Foster is a small program with strong branding. It is in a great location with access to many companies in the IT industry. Advice: School culture and location may affect your decision more than the rank. Clubs: Marketing, Women in Business
Tim Li Class of 2020 Hometown: China Pre-MBA Job: Supply Chain Operations Email Tim	Desired Industry: Strategical Sourcing, Product Management, Consulting Why Foster?: Foster offers lot of networking opportunities within Seattle’s strong tech environment. Advice: Be aware of what you want, stay focused and be aggressive in finding what you need to make a decision. Clubs: Consulting Society, Tech Club, Strategy Club
Sean Kim Class of 2020 Hometown: Korea/Guam Pre-MBA Job: Corporate Strategy in Travel and Hospitality industry Email Sean	Desired Industry: Transition into the Tech Industry Why Foster?: I figured that Foster School would yield the biggest growth for myself throughout the MBA journey, as both Foster and Seattle are rapidly growing. I also appreciated the spirit of collaboration that was felt throughout Foster. I realized that Foster classmates would go above and beyond to help each other in many ways, whether it is helping one another in settling down at a new city, or in finding their dream career. This very idea of lifting each other up is what makes Foster very successful in achieving top job placement rates and in growing an intensive alumni network. Advice: Spend time thinking about how you want to grow during the next two years in MBA. By identifying your priorities, you’ll have an easier time choosing the school that provides the opportunities you are seeking. If you have any unique personal or professional experiences, be ready to tell your stories. Being able to articulate your experiences can be crucial. Most importantly, contact us if you want to learn more about Foster! Clubs: Technology Club, Foster Research Partners, Consulting Club, Level Up
Aditi Narayanan Class of 2020 Hometown: Ann Arbor Michigan Pre-MBA Job: Consulting Email Aditi	Desired Industry: Product/Brand Management in Tech. Why Foster?: I wanted a smaller class and access to the Seattle tech ecosystem. Advice: Take your time and find a school that you believe fits your goals as a person and professionally. Clubs: Women in Business, Marketing Society, Strategy Society, Operations Club
Shama Rangnekar Class of 2020 Hometown: India Pre-MBA Job: Banking & Finance Email Shama	Desired Industry: Tech & Finance Why Foster?: Smaller class size, favorable location of Seattle and proximity to tech players were some of the main reasons to join Foster. Foster’s career services, the diversity of incoming students and the very approachable professors and staff also played a part in my decision. Advice: Do not just go by the ranking of the schools you look at. List out your priorities and expectations from the two years of MBA. Do only a few things and do them right. Clubs: Consulting Club, Finance Club, Tech Club
Abhro Pal Class of 2020 Hometown: India Pre-MBA Job: Technology, Engineering Email Abhro	Desired Industry: Technology, PM Why Foster?: Tech Industry in Seattle and my love for this city! Advice: Foster is great school for a future career in Tech. Clubs: Foster Tech Club, Foster Consulting Society
Katie Rose Mennemeier Class of 2020 Hometown: California Pre-MBA Job: Project Manager – Technology Email Katie	Desired Industry: Product or Brand Manager Why Foster?: I chose Foster because of its collaborative culture, focus on community, small class size, and proximity to leading technology companies. Advice: Take the time to reflect on why you want an MBA and what it can offer you. The MBA program is a two-year investment in yourself and your future, and you’ll make the most of the program if you know what you want from those two years. Focus on schools that send graduates to companies you’re most interested in, and choose a school with a culture that resonates with you. Clubs: Women in Business, Foster Tech, Leadership & Management Society
Mike Lahoda Class of 2020 Hometown: West Deptford, New Jersey Pre-MBA Job: Nonprofit, Program Management and Marketing Email Mike	Desired Industry: Brand Management in the CPG or Outdoor industry. Why Foster?: I chose Foster because of the collaborative and welcoming community, smaller class size, established relationships in the industries and function I am interested in, and my love for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, where I have lived for the past seven years. After visiting several other business schools, it was obvious that Foster was where I felt most at home. Coming from a nonprofit background, I was confident that my experiences and perspectives would be valued while I would also be able to learn from an incredibly diverse and intelligent group of peers that are eager to help one another grow personally and professionally. Advice: The application process is challenging – hang in there! Be sure to take time to think carefully about your goals before and during the process and solicit feedback often. I highly recommend visiting the schools you’re interested in (especially Foster, of course) to get a feel for the culture and to picture yourself as part of the community. I also found it incredibly helpful to speak to current students, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us – we’re more than happy to do what we can to help you along your MBA journey! Clubs: Foster Marketing Association, Outdoor and Sports Industry Club, Net Impact
Shane Schrader Class of 2020 Hometown: Kansas Pre-MBA Job: Tech/MFG; Process/Project Engineer, Systems Engineer Email Shane	Desired Industry: Strategy/Finance/Product Management in Tech Why Foster?: The culture at Foster was a perfect fit for me. Students and staff were honest and up-front about what they didn’t like and I didn’t feel like I was being sold something. The school’s focus on and support for career management was also a key driver; many “higher ranked” schools have far fewer resources for students or even limit the face-time you have with your career coaches. I wanted to attend a program with strong ties to tech, a high employment rate, strong starting salaries, and a focus on student development. Foster checked all those boxes and more. Advice: Really reach out and talk to students. Get a good idea of the fit because you’ll be spending the next two years here. Don’t focus on rankings or prestige above all else; if the school doesn’t fit what you want, don’t go there. Clubs: Tech Club, Consulting Society, Finance Society, Strategy Club, Huddle, Creative Club, MBAA, and Net Impact
Nora Bright Class of 2020 Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Pre-MBA Job: Recruiting, Small Business & Nonprofit Email Nora	Desired Industry: Human Resources, Marketing Why Foster?: I chose Foster because of its very collaborative culture and location in Seattle Advice: Talking to students is the most effective way to learn about a school! Clubs: WiB, Net Impact, Marketing, Diversity in Business and Leadership & Management Society
Rekha Mathew Class of 2020 Hometown: Seattle, WA Pre-MBA Job: Healthcare Strategy at Kaiser Permanente Email Rekha	Desired Industry: Technology, Healthcare Why Foster?: Foster MBAs are exposed to a beautiful city, collaborative community, and thriving technology industry. Advice: Clearly identify what you want to get out of the program before beginning it. This will help you prioritize your efforts and personalize your experience. Clubs: Foster Tech Club, Consulting Society, Healthcare & Biotechnology Association, Women in Business, Global Study Tour
Ciro Gonzalez Class of 2020 Hometown: Mexico Pre-MBA Job: Corporate Banking and Consulting Email Ciro	Desired Industry: Open my own fund in a 8 year time frame Why Foster?: Foster, as a small class, has the opportunity to make your experience tailor-made. I had the opportunity of visiting Foster while I was applying and attended one class. I was amazed by the closeness of the professor with each of the students. It was amazing how this closeness made the learning experience more intimate and worthwhile. I wasn´t even a student, yet the professor dedicated her time to talk to me about my goals and what I wanted to learn. That unique moment made me realize that Foster is deeply engaged with each student which for me is the greatest learning environment.. Advice: Come to Foster! Clubs: EVCC; Finance Society; GBA;
Alina Okhotnikova Class of 2020 Hometown: Russia Pre-MBA Job: Marketing Email Alina	Desired Industry: Product Marketing for a Seattle-based Tech company Why Foster?: I was excited by the great connections Foster has with Seattle based tech companies, the recruitment statistics and many opportunities to obtain practical experience. I believe in learning by doing and here at Foster there are plenty of options to try different things. Due to the small class size admissions team, faculty, career management professionals know you very well and are willing to help you grow and be successful! Advice: Come and visit, talk to the students, have a chance to feel the atmosphere. Start your preparation early! Work on resume, cover letters and think of target companies during the summer. Clubs: Women in Business, Marketing Association, Foster Tech
Vinayak Prabhakar Class of 2021 Hometown: Chennai, India Pre-MBA Job: Tech Start-up Email Vinayak	Desired Industry: Tech Strategy or Tech Project Management Why Foster?: Inclusive community, great interactions with past students, small class size. Advice: Be proactive in understanding the schools culture, so you can make the most of your interactions, and also, ask a lot of questions, there is a lot of help/guidance out here, so just ask. Clubs: Foster Tech
Parijat Class of 2021 Hometown: Muscat, Oman Pre-MBA Job: Data Science and Retail Email Parijat	Desired Industry: Product Management Why Foster?: West coast, community based learning, applied projects, and culture of social well-being. Advice: Come with an open mindset to learn & take this free time to relax before the start of school year. Clubs: Foster Tech, Consulting Society, and MBAA Representative
Devin Doyle Class of 2021 Hometown: New York, New York Pre-MBA Job: Tech and Human Resources Email Devin	Desired Industry: Human Capital Consultant Why Foster?: Seattle, Small Class Size, Student Driven Culture, ROI Advice: Find your non-negotiables and priorities and stick to them. There will be trade-offs and you will use your order of importance for difficult decisions. Take care of yourself. Call Grandma. Clubs: Consulting Society, Marketing Club, Women in Business (Ally)
Vivin Manoharan Class of 2021 Hometown: Coimbatore, India Pre-MBA Job: Data analyst in e-commerce Email Vivin	Desired Industry: Product Marketing or Technology Management Why Foster?: Foster has a great track record of sending student into the tech industry. The connections that Career Management has with big tech firms and the location of the School makes Foster a great platform to pivot into the tech industry. The class size is small and this builds an close-knit community. Everybody is ready to help here. Advice: Thoroughly research all schools that you are applying to and find the school that fits your personal and professional goals. Do not go with only the Rankings. You can always reach out to a student ambassador to have a candid discussion on the Foster experience. This goes for all schools. Clubs: Foster Tech, Marketing Association, Consulting Society
Gustavo Malva Class of 2021 Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil Pre-MBA Job: Project Management in Engineering Email Gustavo	Desired Industry: Corporate Finance Why Foster?: The close-knit community enables more meaningful connections with my classmates, alumni, professors, among others. Those connections are very helpful and reassuring, especially when you’re a career shifter – you can find a lot of people in the Foster community who has the same career goals as you, and their willingness to share information, and to help, you is amazing. Moreover, career management is a differential to the program. They have extremely competent personnel who will help you achieve your goals. Advice: Don`t look at the ranks only. Search for a program that you feel it`s the best fit for you. Clubs: Strategy Club, Finance Society, Challenge for Charity
Francesca Essilfie Class of 2021 Hometown: Diamond Bar, California Pre-MBA Job: Social Media Manager in Entertainment Email Francesca	Desired Industry: Brand Management or Media Marketing Why Foster?: I chose Foster because of its community. I wanted to be in an environment where I could create close connections as well as make an impact. Advice: Make time to learn more about yourself. Try to understand what makes you you, and think about what you can contribute as well as what you can learn from the communities you choose to be involved in. Clubs: Diversity in Business, Foster Marketing Association