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 Ambassadors are here to answer any of your questions. They are current students who are passionate about their MBA experience at UT Dallas and have chosen to mentor and guide other students like you.
Brianna McAnally, Class of 2024
Bree is a part of the Professional MBA Flex program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of California, Davis. Bree started her career with Texas Instruments in 2016 as a Product Engineer, but has since transitioned into a role as a Global Subcon Sourcing Manager. While she benefited greatly from her technical education and career, Bree has really enjoyed rounding out her business skills through her current role and MBA courses. In her spare time she loves taking Zumba classes, spending time with her family, and trying out new recipes.
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Biraj Shrestha, Class of 2024
Biraj’s path so far has been a blend of tech and strategy, with a significant background in the defense industry as an Engineering Lead with Lockheed Martin. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering from UT Austin and currently pursuing an MBA with a focus on Product/Strategic Management at UT Dallas, Biraj is excited about the opportunities this program offers to further enhance his skill set and contribute to his future endeavors.
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Melissa Tran, Class of 2024
Melissa is currently in the Professional MBA Online program. She graduated from Arizona State University, with a BS in Computer Information Systems and a BS in Business Management (Entrepreneurship). Upon graduation, she went to work for General Motors in Austin, Texas as a Software Engineer, eventually transitioning to an IT Program Manager. Melissa is pursuing an MBA to hone her current business skills and expand her technical knowledge to become a more effective technical program manager. In her free time, she enjoys watching Marvel content, reading, weight training, and hanging with her rescued german shepherd.
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Shahab Ghandi, Class of 2024
Shahab is currently part of the Professional MBA Flex Program with a passion for transforming manufacturing and optimizing supply chain operations. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, he began his career at Siemens Smart Infrastructure and later at Peterbilt Motors Company as a Process Engineer. Shahab now serves as an Advanced Analytics Product Manager in Operations at Peterbilt Motors, leading data-driven initiatives to drive operational excellence and innovation.
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Austyn Carter, Class of 2024
Austyn completed her Undergrad at UT Austin with a BBA in marketing, minor in management, and a certificate in global management in 2019. She is currently working as a Sales Development Rep for Data & AI at IBM. She is a Dallas native and happy to be back in her hometown pursuing her MBA. She loves to be outside (especially the mountains), and playing with her friend’s pets since she does not own one.
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Yannick Forbes, Class of 2024
Yannick currently works at Citigroup in Strategic Partnerships for the Citi Technology Infrastructure organization. He graduated from Florida State University with his Bachelor’s in Finance and later obtained his CMA certification. He has spent most of his career in banking and consumer technology across the Chicagoland area, but recently moved to Dallas with his wife for a change in weather. Yannick is passionate about solving problems. As a PMBA student, he plans to focus on Product and Innovation related coursework, to help modernize the customer experience
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Riju Humagain, Class of 2024
Riju graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 with a degree in International Relations and worked at Amazon right after graduation. She started as an Area Manager and eventually became a Senior Operations Manager. Currently, Riju is pursuing an MBA to make a career change. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog, Milo, and trying to get back into yoga!.
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Vineet Keshaw, Class of 2023
Vineet is an international student from India. He graduated with his BA (H) in Economics. Previously he worked in non-profit consulting and product management. In these roles, he has worked in client facing and business development roles. He is currently pursuing his MBA and MS in Finance.
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Blake Carrington, Class of 2024
Blake graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Human Resources Management in 2014. He most recently worked as a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Neiman Marcus, helping job seekers find new roles within the Supply Chain sector. He is now pursuing his Full-time MBA and looking to build his career in Brand Marketing.
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Apramit Pradhan, Class of 2023
Apramit is an international student from India who graduated from Vellore Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in information technology. He was employed with Accenture in India as an application development analyst. At Accenture, he improved client experiences by streamlining numerous CRM-based systems. Before joining the JSOM MBA cohort, he had a few years of managerial experience at an NGO, where he planned and oversaw interdepartmental strategic planning meetings to determine project goals and distribute resources. He is pursuing an MBA with an MS in ITM dual degree emphasis. Apramit intends to work in product management jobs after earning an MBA and is excited to develop and oversee sustainable products.
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Nick Maleska, Class of 2024
Nick graduated from Texas A&M University in 2018 after getting his Bachelor’s in Finance with a minor in Economics. After graduation, Nick moved back to his home of DFW to start a career with Sewell Automotive in Dallas. After five years of award-winning sales and service with Sewell, he decided to transition careers by pursuing his MBA with the Jindal School of Management. He is currently pursuing his MBA in the hopes of leveraging his retail background into a career in Product Management. When Nick is not studying, he enjoys walking his dog or cooking with his wife, as well as making sure to watch the Aggies every Saturday.
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Sijo Mathew Varghese, Class of 2023
Born and raised in Bangalore, India, Sijo graduated with a degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering in 2017. He co-founded an agency startup, Overnight Ventures, a Digital Marketing & Advertising agency. He spearheaded marketing execution for several brands pan India including Puma and Ola Electric and managed a highly cross-functional team of marketers. Sijo is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Marketing & Analytics as part of the Flex program along with an MS in Marketing, Product Management track. He worked as a Product Marketing intern at Samsung Electronics America over the Summer of 2023. Outside of business school, Sijo plays in the Dallas Cricket League, seeks adventure through road trips, hikes, and loves to explore new coffee spots in Dallas.
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Parker Fulton, Class of 2024
Parker graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 2014. His professional journey is characterized by a varied background, including roles in overseeing front-line oil and gas operations, technical sales, and financial services. Parker aims to utilize his MBA, engineering expertise, and professional experience to advance his career. Outside of academic pursuits, he enjoys yoga, pickleball, and quality time with his family.
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Sambuj Dhara, Class of 2024
Sambuj, an international student with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, brings a versatile background to his career aspirations. His experience in Marketing and Sales at Hindustan Petroleum showcased his ability to understand customer needs, devise effective product strategies, and generate value for both clients and the organization. He has also excelled in Operations and Supply Chain, demonstrating a talent for optimizing processes and efficiently managing logistics. Currently pursuing an MBA with a MS in Business Analytics, Sambuj is strategically positioning himself for a career in business consulting and product management. His specific focus is on the clean technology and clean energy sector.
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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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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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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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Rustin Tholen, Class of 2025
Rustin graduated from UT Arlington with a BBA in management and has obtained his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. He currently designs fiber optic networks as an Architecture Design Engineer after spending most of his career in the telecommunications industry. Rustin has an entrepreneurial spirit and has started multiple companies. He is proud to be part of the PMBA evening cohort and is excited to expand his business acumen. In his free time, Rustin enjoys cycling and exploring the world with his wife.
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Vy Trang, Class of 2024
Vy is doing her PMBA online as she lives in Houston, Texas. She received her B.B.A in accounting at the University of Houston. Since then, she has had various finance roles at bp and is currently part of the internal audit team.
Vy is passionate about finding ways to help develop people and improve processes. She is pursuing and MBA to strengthen her strategic management knowledge and to propel her career forward. In her spare time, she enjoys coffee shop hunting, crafting, and keeping her three (yes, three!) corgis happy.
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Dillon Harstvedt, Class of 2024
Dillon is currently in the Professional MBA Flex program. He graduated from Mississippi State University, with a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. Upon graduation, he joined Caterpillar’s three-year Leadership and Technical Development Program (LTDP), after which he transitioned to a Manufacturing and Supply Chain Project Manager role located in Denison, Texas. Dillon is incredibly passionate about operational execution and continuously improving people, processes, and product quality. In his free time, he enjoys weight training, golfing, researching the stock market, traveling, and playing outside with his rescued golden retriever.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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!
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!.
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.
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.
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.
Alumni Spotlights
Read the success stories from MBA Alumni, current professionals sharing insights about their experience and life after getting their MBA at UT Dallas.
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.
Clarisa Duran Lindenmeyer, MBA’09
Founder/president: Proximity To Power
Lindenmeyer says that in her current role as a C-level strategist in sales, marketing and growth, her MBA helps round out her ability.
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.
Charles Gillis, MBA’04
Executive Director, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, PC
Technology and an evolving mindset about work-life balance is completely changing the legal services profession.
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.
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.
Taylor Lipsett , MBA’16
AVP, Private Wealth Management And Portfolio Manager, US Trust at Bank Of America
In his role at Bank of America, Lipsett manages investment portfolios for the bank’s private wealth clients. He says his MBA “expanded my breadth of knowledge across various business areas [and] taught me how to balance a full workload, work with others to accomplish a common goal, and how to network and build relationships with other professionals.” For Lipsett, his extracurricular passion has been all things sled hockey.
Darla Chapman Ripley, EMBA’97
Associate, Dave Perry-Miller & Associates Real Estate
Darla Chapman Ripley places a lot of importance on maintaining all networks, regardless of industry or location.
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.
Corey Egan, MBA’10
Co-Founder And Ceo, Ilumi Solutions Inc.
Egan knows what it takes to transform a vision into a successful business. After working for several years in marketing and operations management, Egan along with Swapnil Bora, MBA’11, co-founded iLumi Solutions Inc., and designed an intelligent multicolor LED light bulb that is wirelessly controlled, programmable and customizable with a mobile application. In 2010, they won the UT Dallas Business Idea Competition that the Jindal School-based Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship sponsors every year, and they are committed to transforming and improving how we use lighting.
Steven P. Nelson, MBA’89
Director, Ecosystem and Marketing Platformsfreescale Semiconductor
When Steve entered the Jindal School’s MBA Program, he decided to stray from his engineering background and pursue a concentration in marketing. That unlikely decision uncovered a new passion and ultimately shifted his career path.
Joshua Levy, MBA’11
Program Manager, Pearson Education
Joshua Levy combined his lifelong love of teaching with the Jindal School’s project management program to map his future as a leader for Pearson Education, the world’s largest education company and book publisher. A few years into his career there, he noticed that many of his colleagues who were going places had graduate degrees.
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.
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.
Aubrey Meyers, BS’05, MBA’06
SVP and Deputy General Counsel, Caliber Home Loans, Inc
After Meyers received her BSBA and MBA at UT Dallas, she went to University of Illinois College of Law, graduating in 2009 with a law degree. She returned to the North Texas area, working for a couple law firms before moving to Caliber Home Loans.
Jeff Hightower, MBA’01
SVP, Group Manager, Corporate Banking, Green Bank, NA
At Green Bank, Hightower originates and develops relationships with commercial clients. He also oversees a team of relationship managers.
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.
Thomas S. Ducote, Jr. , MBA’96
Vice President – Business Development, City National Capital Finance
Ducote, who lives in Austin, works in the equipment finance group for City National Bank, based in Miami.
Luis Ortiz, MBA’10
Brand Manager, North America Ericsson
As a young professional, Luis Ortiz found a way to further his company’s goals and initiatives while helping individuals in need. He developed a business initiative for Ericsson that not only met and surpassed company objectives but also helped a nonprofit organization. By looking beyond boundaries between for-profit and nonprofit organizations, Ortiz crafted a creative solution to help Ericsson increase its brand awareness while assisting the North Texas Food Bank.
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
