Hear about the UT Dallas MBA from the voices of the people who know best.
The best way to understand how the MBA at UT Dallas can impact your life is to hear directly from the people who have experienced it themselves. MBA alumni and current students, as well as faculty and staff members, have a lot to say about what you can expect from joining the MBA program, working hard with your classmates and finally walking off the stage, diploma in hand, ready to advance in your career.
Student Ambassadors
MBA Student Ambassadors are here to answer any of your questions. Our ambassadors are current students who are passionate about their MBA experience at UT Dallas and have chosen to mentor and guide other students like you.
Debangkur Das, Class of 2026
Debangkur is a current Professional MBA student. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering, he has developed a keen interest in the intersection of technology and market strategy. His professional journey has spanned diverse roles in Business Development across established software firms and a dynamic startup, where he has led successful marketing and sales initiatives. Debangkur is extremely passionate about identifying the core values of products and strategically positioning them to drive market adoption and revenue growth. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys playing sports, exploring world history, traveling, and experiencing diverse cultures and cuisines.
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Crisbel Rodriguez, Class of 2025
Crisbel is a Business Analyst at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and is a part of the evening cohort PMBA program. She grew up in Katy, Texas and received her undergraduate degree in Information Technology with concentration in Business Analytics and a minor in Mathematics from Texas Tech University in 2019. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and attending live music events.
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Victoria Friedhoff, Class of 2024
Victoria graduated from Northeastern University with a MS degree in International Management in 2018. Post degree, she worked for companies in the Food and Equestrian Fashion Industry as a Project, and Product Manager. Her projects were often centered around topics of digitalization, which led her to pursue an additional MS degree in Information Technology while pursuing her MBA. When Victoria is not studying, she enjoys being outside, exploring new hobbies and activities, and Improv theater.
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Taha Ahmed, Class of 2026
Taha is a current student in the Professional MBA Flex Program. He is currently pursuing both an MBA and an MS in Information Technology and Management. He completed his undergraduate studies at JSOM in 2021, earning double majors in Business Administration and Finance. Upon graduating, he joined AT&T through the Finance Development Program (FDP) and gained experience in various financial roles before settling into a full-time position as a Financial Analyst. Taha is now focused on enhancing his technical skillset and managerial abilities through the Flex Program. He is motivated by continuous learning and is dedicated to growing as a leader that drives innovation and impactful change in business. Beyond academic and professional goals, he enjoys staying active, reading, watching films and television, and following sports.
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Carly Ammann, Class of 2025
Carly graduated from Baylor University in May 2024 with a degree in Management Information Systems. During her time at Baylor, she interned at Ernst & Young, Baker Tilly, and KPMG, gaining experience in Technology Risk. She is currently pursuing her Full-Time MBA at UT Dallas, where she is focused on building a career in Cybersecurity Consulting. Outside of her academics, Carly enjoys traveling, cooking, hot Pilates, and spending time with friends and family.
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Raam Subramanian, Class of 2026
Raam graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Economics and earned the Hollingsworth Leadership Certificate through the Corps of Cadets, a four-year military leadership training program.
Post graduation, he spent seven years as a Public Sector Healthcare Consultant at Deloitte before transitioning to work independently, continuing to serve State Government agencies. Raam is pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics and Finance to enhance his technical project management and analytics background. Outside of work, he enjoys playing tennis, writing sketch comedy and plays, and mentoring the next generation.
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Ian Reynoso, Class of 2025
Ian holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. After graduation, he commissioned as a Cyber Warfare officer in the U.S. Army where he would lead complex cyber operations within Cyber Command. As the founder of a Web Development Agency, Ian is pursuing an MBA with the aim of implementing lessons learned during the program towards his business and Army career. In his free time, Ian enjoys family time, video games, and staying active through workouts and sports.
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Sara Rutherford, Class of 2024
Sara graduated from the University of Alabama with two degrees in Economics and Finance with a concentration in Global Business in 2017. Post undergrad, she worked for Tandem Consulting LLC as an Account Manager with an emphasis on legal accounting & project work in hurricane disaster relief in New Orleans, LA. She is currently using her financial analytical background to pursue her MBA and Masters in Finance, concentrating in Business Analytics & FinTech. When Sara is not studying, she enjoys going on walks, cooking, and shopping.
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Sachin Pant, Class of 2026
Sachin Pant, originally from New Delhi, India, holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi Technological University. He has worked in tech-based startups in India, where he held roles in program management and business development. His experience spans across companies like LeapScholar and Immigram, where he led projects to drive revenue growth, optimize customer acquisition processes, and develop innovative digital tools. Now pursuing his MBA with a concentration in Product Management & Technology at UT Dallas, Sachin is eager to leverage his experience to make a mark in the tech and program management space. Outside of academics, he is an active member of the Product Base Club and enjoys playing cricket, exploring new tech, and staying active with outdoor activities.
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Ashley Sharp, Class of 2026
Ashley is originally from Scotland and graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA in Risk Management in May of 2021. Post undergrad, Ashley worked at AECOM and then PwC where she specialized in Risk Management within the Capital Projects and Infrastructure space. Ashley joined the MBA program to develop her management skills and grow her international network. When Ashley isn’t studying, she likes shopping and pilates.
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Alex Tosi, Class of 2025
Alex completed his undergrad at The United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in Environmental Science and a minor in Environmental Engineering. He is currently working as an Executive Officer for US Army Recruiting in Dallas, TX. He is a native of Long Island, New York and due to his love for constantly trying new restaurants, he’s loved living in Dallas. Additional hobbies include running, and he is currently training for the Dallas Marathon this December.
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Jared Brooks, Class of 2025
Jared graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Healthcare Studies Pre-Medicine in 2022. Post-undergrad, he worked for The University of Texas at Dallas as a Research Coordinator at the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Memory and Language. He is currently using his military leadership and analytical skills to pursue an MBA concentrating in analytics and an MS in Finance. When Jared is not studying, he enjoys being outside, playing sports, staying active, and finding new hobbies.
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Farid Farooq, Class of 2024
Farid our international student hailing from Pakistan, brings a range of experience to the program. With a background in mechanical engineering, he previously worked at Pakistan’s largest fertilizer chemical plant, Engro. During his tenure there, he demonstrated a diverse skill set, leading teams in overhauling turbomachines, managing contracts, and overseeing procurement portfolios. Currently, he is pursuing his MBA with a focus on supply chain management and a dual masters in Business Analytics, further enhancing his professional acumen.
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Benjamin Gomez, Class of 2026
Benjamin “Benji” Gomez is a Management Consultant at Sendero Consulting, currently pursuing his MBA with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate through JSOM’s Online Program. Prior to consulting, Benjamin spent five and a half years in the franchising industry, where he held various roles aimed at providing operational, marketing, and strategic support to franchise owners. His professional career began in financial services with New York Insurance Company, where he focused on selling insurance and investment securities in the Greater Waco area. A 2016 graduate of Baylor University, Benjamin is also a devoted husband to Alivia and proud father to his 1-year-old son, Oliver.
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Cory Brown, Class of 2025
Cory holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. After graduation, he joined Texas Materials, a CRH company, where he gained experience in project management, sales, estimating, and logistics. Currently pursuing an MBA, Cory aims to leverage his education to become a leader in strategy and finance for a large organization. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with family, cooking, and staying active through workouts and sports.
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Siddhartha Grover, Class of 2026
Siddhartha is originally from India and holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from Vellore Institute of Technology. At Cisco, he served as a Lead Consultant, leading global teams and managing the delivery of critical projects for enterprise clients, ensuring seamless execution and building strong client relationships. He drove process optimizations and collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful results. Now pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Strategic Management at UT Dallas, Sid aims to leverage his expertise to transition into strategic and product management roles. Outside of academics, he is passionate about mentoring, exploring new technologies, and actively engaging with the UT Dallas community.
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Gabriela Guerreiro Class of 2024
Gabriela, a Brazilian international student, earned her degree in Marketing from Anhembi Morumbi University in 2020. Post undergrad, she worked as a digital marketing analyst at Natura&Co and Roche Pharmaceuticals, specializing in digital communication strategy in Brazil. Currently, she is channeling her background in digital communication strategy towards an MBA, focusing on Product Management. Outside of her academic pursuits, Gabriela enjoys the outdoors, playing volleyball, and exploring Dallas.
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Arturo Nunez, Class of 2025
Arturo currently works in the aerospace and defense industry as a program manager for emerging technologies. He graduated with his bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2017. Post-graduation, he participated in an operations rotational program where he held roles in supply chain, manufacturing, and quality management. Having worked in the US and in Mexico, Arturo now plans to focus his PMBA on international and strategic management, and to collaborate with fellow cohort students to tap into global markets, gain exposure to different sectors, and expand his professional reach. In his free time, Arturo enjoys fishing, playing soccer, and spending time with his family.
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Dailyn Crawley, Class of 2026
Dailyn is currently in the Professional MBA Flex program and a member of the UT Dallas Men’s soccer program. He graduated from East Tennessee State University with Cum Laude honors and a BS in Corporate Finance and Technology. Dailyn has had experience as a Human Resources Manager for Alfa Romeo LLC, before transitioning to the Professional MBA Flex program. Dailyn has a passion for finance, management and is continuously improving his skills in financial literacy, organizational behavior and leadership. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, chess, day-trading, exploring the DFW area and training his 2 Cane Corso’s.
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Nathan Lewis, Class of 2026
Nathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Virginia Tech. After graduation, he served as an Executive Officer, Platoon Leader, and Tactical Control Officer in the U.S. Army, where he managed logistics and operations for Air and Missile Defense Units, overseeing multimillion-dollar assets and leading teams in high-pressure environments. Currently pursuing an MBA and a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at the University of Texas at Dallas, Nathan aims to leverage his military experience and analytical skills to excel in Operations and Supply Chain Management. In his free time, Nathan enjoys golf, fantasy football, and searching for the USA’s best BBQ food.
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MBA students talk about their invaluable academic experiences at the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management, providing advice, perspective and vision.
James King, Class of 2016
Compensation, Benefits, & HRIS Manager, A. H. Belo
Switching careers is never easy, but getting my MBA at the Naveen Jindal School at UT Dallas made it far more manageable. As a result, I was able to secure an exciting and challenging career with excellent growth potential—an absolute must for a family man like myself.
Janelle Manuel, Class of 2017
Inbound Analytics & SEM Manager, Mohawk Industries
The instructors are great about bringing real-time events into the classroom and encouraging us to apply our experiences to their material as well. You tend to read more intently and dig deeper for interesting information because you want to make sure that you are an active, knowledgeable participant in the class conversations.
Abhinav Sharma, Class of 2015
Senior Program Manager, Amazon
The MBA program has helped me grow professionally, academically and personally. Looking back, I am a completely changed person in every aspect, and the Jindal School has played a key role in setting me up for success as I enter a new phase of my life. I am grateful for everything that I have learned.
Megan Kling, Full-Time MBA Class of 2021
“The Power of Two mentorship program gave me the opportunity to form a meaningful relationship with a professional whom I deeply admire and wouldn’t have had a connection to otherwise. My mentor and I have honed in on my career goals, practiced interviewing, and discussed shared interests and relevant issues as I go through my MBA. This mentorship program is one of the things I looked forward to the most in my first year as a student, and I have already experienced the benefits of forming new networks and speaking to someone with the skills and experience I aspire to have myself someday.”
Laura Albright, Class of 2016
Management Consulting Lead Analyst, RealFoundations
The program not only gave me the tools I needed to achieve my goal of a rewarding career in a new industry – the in-class experience, a close-knit community of alumni in business and a rigorous curriculum, to name just a few – but I found a group of like-minded professionals who I am proud to call my friends. If I can do it, anyone can do it!
Justin Figueredo, Class of 2016
Army Reserves Captain; UNT Assistant Professor of Military Science; Financial Analyst, City of Grapevine
The Professional MBA program at UT Dallas was invaluable for my transition from active duty military service to the civilian workforce. Because of the relationships formed within my evening cohort and the insight and knowledge passionately shared by the esteemed faculty, this is an experience that I will never forget.
Cale Hiroms, Class of 2017
Air Force SSgt.; Program Manager, Raytheon
One of the reasons I chose UT Dallas was because of the low tuition costs—using my veteran’s benefits reduced my out-of-pocket costs to almost nothing. The Professional MBA cohort structure has allowed me to connect more meaningfully with my classmates, more so than most other traditional MBA formats.
Jordan Pedigo, Class of 2016
Assistant Vice President – Division Controller, BOK Financial Corporation
The MBA program provided a number of opportunities to work in team-based settings. These experiences improved my skills in communication, leadership, team-building and presentation. I have gained a new perspective into the challenges that businesses face, and I am ready to use the skills and knowledge gained to help add value in the workplace.
Jared Lange, Class of 2017
Administrator, Business Sustainability and Development, Parkland Hospital
When I researched MBA programs, the following were important: convenient location, accredited faculty, competitive tuition, hand-selected small cohort and strong alumni connections. UT Dallas met all of these needs. Additionally, the professors have been exceptional, and there have been numerous opportunities to connect with alumni.
Wenet Wu, Class of 2016
Sr. Category Specialist, Chick-fil-A, Inc.
As a young professional in the supply chain industry, I needed a graduate program that would challenge me to think outside the norms of traditional supply chain techniques. The MS SCM program at the UT Dallas provided me excellent networking opportunities through student organizations such as INFORMS, SCLC, APICS and ISM.
Nadeem Panjwani, Class of 2017
Software Product Manager, Motorola Mobility
The program helped me bridge the gap by acquiring high-value industry skills, building connections, and preparing for real-world challenges. In retrospective, I feel the three things that contributed most were – my cohort batch, my professors, and the wonderful MBA office staff. I cherish every moment I spent being part of the Full-Time Cohort MBA program and will always be grateful for everything it gave me!
Jakeb Spears, Class of 2017
Physician Compensation Analyst, Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting
The UT Dallas Full-Time MBA Program helped me make professional connections in my chosen industry, pushed me to challenge myself academically and professionally, and taught me both the quantitative and qualitative skills necessary to land my post-graduate job as an analyst in healthcare consulting.
Justin Drummond-Murray, Class of 2013, Power of 2 Mentor
Having an experienced mentor is critical in helping students pivot their careers. Often, students undersell themselves and their previous experience. As a mentor, I get to help students successfully reposition themselves. One particular student comes to mind – they updated their resume with their mentor’s feedback. They went from having zero interviews to an employer creating a new, more senior internship position to hire them.
Conner Rhodes, Full-Time MBA Class of 2021
The Power of 2 Mentor Program has had such a positive impact on my professional development. My mentor helped me understand how I was presenting myself to employers through my resume and we worked together to determine where I could improve. I can attribute my success in finding a summer internship directly to the work that we did together over the course of our meetings. No matter what step of your career journey you are on, I have no doubt the Power of 2 Program will bring a return on investment!.
Alumni Spotlights
Read the success stories from MBA Alumni and current professionals sharing insights about their experience and life after getting their MBA at UT Dallas.
Geetha Hathikal, MBA’13
Business Analysis Manager, Ericsson
Hathikal, who has been with Ericsson for more than four years, works as a business consultant in the networks strategy planning group of the organization.
Salman Moti, MS’11, MBA’16
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Manager of Health System Decision Support
Moti knows the value of education – he holds four degrees, including two from Jindal School of Management – an MS/Healthcare Management and an MBA.
Capt. Chris Hampton, USN, Retired , MBA’11
Consultant
Hampton, who by his own account was at the doorstep of international relations and global events as an officer with the U.S.
Michelle Ketsler, MBA’14
Senior Manager, Vistra Energy
Michelle Ketsler, whose MBA studies included a concentration in finance and strategic management, is the senior manager for demand management and account service management at Vistra Energy. She is responsible for establishing and managing the governance of Vistra Energy’s retail technology investment portfolio and ensuring approved projects are aligned with the company’s strategy.
Susan Kassen, MBA’00
Associate, Ebby Halliday Realtors
After several years spent working in sales and marketing, Susan Kassen decided to combine her passion for real estate and love of the local community, and pursue a career in real estate. During this transition, she relied on lessons learned while earning an MBA from the Jindal School.
Abrahm “Abe” Turner, MBA’08
Performance Improvement Consultant; Insperity
I enjoy being part of the change continuum. I am often the catalyst for change in many of the groups I support.
Jason Ellison, BS’03 MBA’06
Entrepreneur
While Ellison began his professional career at KPMG in audit, he now is on his second (or third) career, as owner of Ellison Business Consulting in Allen.
Bate Bate, MBA’03
Vice President And Senior Petroleum Engineer, Union Bank
Bate, vice president and senior petroleum engineer at Union Bank is experienced in the oil field and the corporate office. With more than 12 years in the oil and gas industry, Bate has a solid grasp on reserve estimation and reporting as well as field operations. He credits his time at the Jindal School as refining his understanding of organizational behavior and management, lessons he continues to utilize today.
Carolyn Jackson, MBA’06
Senior Audit Manager, Capital One Corp.
While earning her MBA at Jindal School, Jackson, a McKinney resident, was an active member of the campus’ Institute of Internal Auditors student chapter
Craig Weigel, MBA’03
Human Resources Director, PepsiCo
Weigel, an HR professional for more than 18 years, has worked for multiple Fortune 100 global companies in various roles, including recruiting, mergers and acquisitions, compensation, and business partnership. He is most proud of his short-term projects in Asia and Europe, which broadened his cultural awareness and global business knowledge.
Shaun Robinson, MBA’01
Vice President- Product Management, AMX
Robinson, a Dallas resident, has been at AMX since 2002, and in his current position for three years, where he leads the AMX Product Management team.
Chris Spartz, MBA’11
Senior Associate – Risk Consulting, Contract Compliance KPMG
At KPMG, Spartz serves in multiple roles including reviewing contracts between his clients and their third party service providers to identify risks within the agreement and help his clients to ensure compliance with contracts, standards, policies and regulatory requirements. “I also collect, manipulate, analyze and interpret large data sets, and use results to develop recommendations for corrective and preventative actions for identified risks,” Spartz says.
Samir Patel, BS’13 MBA’14
Founder/Portfolio Manager, Askeladden Capital Management
Askeladden is the investment adviser to a long-only limited partnership (hedge fund) and separately managed accounts (SMAs), running a concentrated, long-term oriented, small-and-micro-cap portfolio. Patel graduated magna cum laude with a biochemistry degree from UT Dallas when he was 19 years old, and concentrated in finance and supply chain in his MBA, which he completed when he was 20.
Gigi Bryant, GLEMBA’02
Business Development Consultant, GMSA Management Services
Throughout her life, Gigi Bryant has overcome adversity – spending more than a decade in the foster care system. Since then, she has dedicated herself to serving others. She has started her own business consulting firm, established a foundation to assist youth in the foster care system and devoted her free time to volunteer work.
Gerald Youngblood, MBA’10
Director, North America Marketing Advanced Micro Devices
Gerald Youngblood, a graduate of the Professional MBA Online program, credits the Jindal School with preparing him to progress beyond the traditional business environment and into the wireless workplace. He now manages marketing and strategy development at Advanced Micro Devices, a multinational technology company that designs and integrates technology for intelligent devices, such as personal computers, tablets, game consoles and cloud servers.
Corey Hutchins Woolley, MS’12 MBA’16
Senior Routing Manager, Keurig Dr Pepper
At Keurig Dr Pepper, Woolley manages a team that routes the company’s DSD (direct store delivery) trucks throughout the southern U.S., handling 50 locations and more than 700 delivery routes daily. Woolley, who completed her MBA and graduate degree in supply chain management at Jindal School, designed the companywide process for creating balanced sales and delivery route plans.
Jonathan “J.J.” Jones, BS’12, MS’14, MBA’16
Senior Property Manager, Crescent Property Services, LLC
In his current position, Jones manages a Class A commercial real estate portfolio for Crescent, which acquires, develops and operates high-end properties alongside an exclusive group of investors and high-net-worth clients. Crescent currently has $3.5 billion in assets in its portfolio. Jones said his education at Jindal School has opened a lot of doors for him. “I don’t think I’m smarter than I was, but it helped me in my ability to creatively problem solve, navigate multiple fields of expertise and remain confident in a rapidly evolving business environment,” he said. He earned three degrees at the Jindal School – a BS in Business Administration, an MS in Supply Chain Management and an MBA.
Fallon D. Wallace, MS’15 MBA’15
Associate Site Administrator, Parkland Health And Hospital System
Wallace, who earned her MBA and master’s degree in Healthcare Management at Jindal School, assists with all aspects of operations at Parkland’s Southeast Dallas Health Center, including administrative, business and clinical, in addition to the design of work processes, prioritization of initiatives and clinic performance improvement projects. She’s been at Parkland for almost four years.
Allen Mueller, MBA’15
Senior Analyst, Fuel Strategy, Vistra Energy
Mueller, a recent Jindal School graduate, has spent a decade in mining engineering and operations, most recently at Luminant Energy in Dallas and Martin Marietta Materials in San Antonio. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degree in mining engineering at Southern Illinois University.
Bob Lockett, MBA’99
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Harland Clarke Holdings
I had the opportunity to meet some great professors and hard-working students. Many of the folks in my classes were working full time.
