Full-Time 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.
Amanda Jo, Class of 2025
Amanda is passionate about marketing and driven by a strategic approach to decision making. After earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing from UT Dallas, she gained valuable experience as a consultative sales manager at a graphic design agency, where she honed her skills in project management and data-driven insights. Now, as a full-time MBA student focusing on Business Analytics, Amanda is eager to leverage her expertise in pursuing a career in strategic marketing and product management. Outside of the classroom, Amanda enjoys expressing her creativity through crocheting and unwinding with a good movie, TV show or Formula 1 race!
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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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Billy Asante, Class of 2027
Billy is originally from London, UK, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering as well as a Master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Hertfordshire. He brings nine years of experience delivering major construction and infrastructure projects across London, where he led cross-functional teams, managed diverse stakeholders, and ensured high-quality, on-schedule, and on-budget project execution. His project leadership experience sparked a growing interest in the strategic, financial, and technological forces driving organizations. Now pursuing his Full-Time MBA and an additional Master of Science in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence at UT Dallas, Billy is focused on transitioning into roles in strategy across finance and operations. He aims to leverage his analytical mindset, data-driven approach, and disciplined execution to help organizations scale efficiently and deliver long-term value. Outside the classroom, Billy enjoys traveling, having visited more than 20 countries, and training in jiu-jitsu.
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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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Catie Burke, Class of 2026
Catie Burke is an MBA candidate at the University of Texas at Dallas, with plans to also pursue a Master of Science in Accounting & Analytics. Originally from Chicago, she moved to Dallas to pursue new opportunities in business, leadership, and professional growth. Before graduate school, Catie worked as an executive recruiter specializing in accounting and finance placements, where she partnered with CFOs, controllers, and finance leaders across various industries. Her experience in talent strategy and client development sparked her interest in the intersection of business integrity, financial analysis, and organizational problem-solving. At UTD, Catie is focused on developing expertise in turnaround consulting, restructuring, and forensic accounting, with the goal of helping organizations navigate periods of financial uncertainty with transparency and confidence. Outside of school, she loves traveling, exploring the Dallas food scene, and going on adventures with her boyfriend, David, and their Corgi, Woodie.
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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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Derrick Thomas, Class of 2027
Derrick is driven by a strong interest in strategy and decision making, shaped by his experience working across banking and high-growth startup environments. After completing his undergraduate degree in business, he began his career at Citi, where he gained a strong foundation in operations, finance, and execution across global teams. His later work in the startup space strengthened his ability to bring structure to fast-moving environments and solve problems with clarity.
He is now pursuing an MBA with a focus on Strategy and an MS in Finance at UT Dallas. Through the program, he is building deeper analytical skills and preparing for a career where structured thinking and thoughtful planning play a central role. He also serves as a career representative, where he enjoys helping classmates with interview preparation, career planning, and finding the right resources on campus.
Outside of academics, Derrick finds balance through simple routines and hobbies. He loves watching football and supports Manchester United with pride. He enjoys tennis and admires Roger Federer both as an athlete and a person. He likes playing different sports at UT Dallas, going for long walks, and discovering new indie folk bands. Time around pets and conversations with people from different backgrounds also add to the things he enjoys most in his everyday life.
Erynn Ramos, Class of 2026
Erynn earned her B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from UC Merced and spent three years as a Software Developer at General Motors. Passionate about technology and leadership, she pursued an MBA to broaden her impact beyond coding and develop a strategic business perspective. With her strong technical foundation, she aims to drive innovation through a career in product management or technology leadership roles. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, local theatre, and creative craft projects.
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John Habenicht, Class of 2026
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University. After graduation, he joined Fidelity Investments, where he gained experience in retirement planning, sales, pricing, and operations. Currently pursuing a full-time MBA, John aims to deepen his business acumen and 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 and friends, traveling, and golfing.
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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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Nihal Baig, Class of 2027
Originally from the United Arab Emirates, Nihal brings a strong background in engineering and project management, holding a Bachelor of Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – Dubai. In his professional roles, he drove significant operational improvements by implementing new enterprise systems and automating processes to enhance organizational efficiency. A proven collaborator, he is adept at aligning cross-functional teams to meet client requirements and project deadlines.
His experience leading operational initiatives sparked a passion for understanding the broader strategic forces that drive global business. Now pursuing a Full-Time MBA and a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at The University of Texas at Dallas, Nihal is preparing to transition into strategic roles within operations and supply chain. He aims to leverage his analytical mindset and leadership experience to help organizations scale efficiently and build sustainable value.
Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Nihal is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new cultures. He is also passionate about sports, training in boxing and playing basketball.
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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Sierra Taylor, Class of 2026
Sierra Taylor is a proud U.S. Navy Veteran, mother, and Full-Time MBA student whose journey embodies resilience, service, and purpose. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Winston-Salem State University and a M.S. in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. With over eight years of experience in Government Accounting and Consulting and four years in Real Estate, Sierra has built a career rooted in excellence, integrity, and impact.
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Sowri Madduru, Class of 2027
Sowri is a dual-degree MBA and MS in Finance candidate at the University of Texas at Dallas, specializing in strategy, pricing, and operations analytics. Originally from India, he holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Computer Science and brings several years of professional experience from Amazon and Deloitte.
At Amazon, Sowri spearheaded automation and data optimization initiatives that streamlined global workflows, reduced manual effort by over 70 percent, and improved decision-making efficiency across business units. At Deloitte, he contributed to analytics-driven consulting projects that enhanced client delivery and operational precision. These experiences fueled his passion for leveraging data and technology to drive strategic business transformation.
At UTD, Sowri is focused on integrating financial acumen with analytical rigor to help organizations make high-impact, data-driven decisions. Outside of academics, he enjoys fitness, exploring diverse cuisines, and traveling.
Yujuan (Joanne) Xu, Class of 2026
Yujuan, a Chinese international student, earned her degree in Financial Management from Shanghai University in 2009. Yujuan demonstrated a diverse skill set in capital market research, financial modeling, enterprise valuation, and investment negotiation. Yujuan aims to utilize her double degree of MBA and MS in Business Analytics at UT Dallas to advance her career in the new era of technology. Outside of academic pursuits, she enjoys workouts, outdoors, travel, and experimenting with new recipes for baking and cooking.
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