MIT SLOAN ANNUAL FUND
FELLOWSHIPS
2018–2019 RECIPIENTS
FELLOWSHIPS & THE MIT SLOAN ANNUAL FUND
INSPIRING LEADERS TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD. Fellowship support helps MIT Sloan to attract, develop, and build the next generation of entrepreneurial business leaders. These students come to the school inspired by MIT Sloan’s mission and eager to cultivate their management skills in order to effect positive change in the world. Your generous support of the MIT Sloan Annual Fund allows the school to enroll a class of diverse, curious innovators who will emerge ready to tackle the world’s most complex, pressing problems. Thank you for making the MIT Sloan experience possible for our students—today and tomorrow.
MBA 2020
TOSIN AKINYODE
I was drawn to attend MIT Sloan because of its mission to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world. I am passionate about improving education outcomes. I believe that every student, regardless of race or socio-economic background, should have access to a quality education that equips them with the tools to lead successful, adult lives. I am confident that my training and experiences at Sloan and the greater MIT community will serve as a springboard to lead innovations in K-12 education.
“THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING MY DREAM AND FOR PROVIDING ME WITH ACCESS TO REALIZE MY PURPOSE OF BECOMING AN INNOVATIVE LEADER IN EDUCATION.”
MIT SLOAN
While at Sloan, I am excited to explore the intersections of management, education, and technology. I hope to expand my analytical capacity, develop a management toolkit, and stretch my leadership abilities. Thank you so much for supporting my dream and for providing me with access to realize my purpose of becoming an innovative leader in education.
MFIN 2020
HUGO CASTALAN
After an exciting year at a fintech startup, I was looking for a graduate program to set me off on the right foot as an investment professional and be able to develop my knowledge of new technologies applied to the financial industry. MIT Sloan is providing just that—a wealth of resources, opportunities, and a strong reputation. Altogether, I believe that MIT will not only provide me with the appropriate skills to succeed, but it will also help me to grasp the bigger picture. I want to say thank you. Wealth should not be a barrier in preventing talented students to join Sloan.
Your contribution to our fellowship allows MIT Sloan to attract diverse, promising individuals. To some extent, it is the students and their backgrounds who define the program’s success, so I think it is important to be as inclusive as possible.
SMARTER TOGETHER
MBA 2020
GUILLERMO COLELL
I am an immigrant, a veteran, and a former public servant. My international upbringing and professional experience have led me to believe that we should all personally strive for excellence, humility, and a focus on improving our world. MIT Sloan was the only business school I interacted with that seemed to uniquely champion these values above all others. Your generosity has opened up an otherwise unaffordable opportunity for my family and me; thank you, thank you very much. It is no exaggeration to say that the rest of my professional life will be permanently enhanced by this MIT Sloan degree, and it is only possible thanks to your help. While I might not be able to pay you back directly, I will do my best to continue my contributions towards our society and economy. Hopefully someday, I will be able to pay it forward to a future generation of Sloanies, too.
MIT SLOAN
“YOUR GENEROSITY HAS OPENED UP AN OTHERWISE UNAFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR MY FAMILY AND ME.�
MBA 2020
BRYAN CORTES
The curriculum at MIT Sloan was a key factor in deciding to attend the program, as was the supportive and encouraging community. It did not take me much time after visiting Sloan and engaging with the current students to learn that ‘Sloanies helping Sloanies’ is real and that everyone would be genuinely vested in my success.
I look forward to building a strong community of like-minded people who want to change the world. Thank you for helping this first-generation college graduate from South Los Angeles pursue his MBA at a top-tier business school. Your generosity will prepare me to make a difference in my community. This fellowship allowed me to attend MIT Sloan, and I will always be grateful for that opportunity! Not only did it change the trajectory of my career, but it will make a difference when I pay it forward to future generations of students like me. Thank you!
SMARTER TOGETHER
MBA 2020
MEAGHAN HARTMAN
I come from a legislative role on Capitol Hill and wanted not just the business skill set but the chance to put those skills into practice quickly. From the sustainability certificate and student clubs to labs and classes on sustainable business strategies, I knew the options for exploring that interest would be endless at MIT Sloan. I have already been blown away by the experiences of my fellow Sloanies, and I am so excited to continue getting to know them, learning from them, and understanding the impact they want to have upon the world. I also hope to be pushed out of my comfort zone in and out of the classroom to expand my understanding of working in a global business environment.
‘Thank you’ definitely doesn’t feel like quite enough! After several years in the public sector, receiving this fellowship was truly a game-changer. I was 100 percent sure that I wanted to be at MIT Sloan, and having the financial support to make coming here a reality was something I will forever be grateful for.
MIT SLOAN
EMBA 2019
KIMBERLYN LEARY
The Sloan School’s mission reflects the values that have informed my career to date. MIT Sloan seeks to shape the future. As I think about the next phase of my career, I believe that innovation and effective partnership require leaders who understand the importance of learning at high velocity. My intention in seeking an EMBA is to understand how organizations and enterprises develop, innovate, and thrive, especially under conditions of continuous change. I believe my experience at Sloan will enhance my capacity to be agile, creative, and a more effective steward of institutions. In certain ways, making a pivot mid-career is more complex than at an earlier phase in one’s life. In a very real way, there is much more to lose (though also a considerable amount we all expect to gain). While the financial support is extremely helpful, it is also quite wonderful to know that MIT and its donors are “I AM GRATEFUL expressing their confidence in EMBA students FOR YOUR through Annual Fund support. Knowing that donors INVESTMENT believe in students fuels our momentum that much IN US.” more—and I am grateful for your investment in us.
SMARTER TOGETHER
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
MBA 2020
MARY NJOKI KIARIE
When I was touring schools, I was looking for that feeling of belonging. After learning about Sloanies helping Sloanies, I was sold on coming here—I thrive in communities where people look out for one another. After all, I am African, and we believe that it takes a village. The academic rigor, Action Learning, and leadership development opportunities were added bonuses.
“I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO INSPIRE YOUNG GIRLS IN KENYA AND GIVE BACK TO MY COMMUNITY.”
A million times, thank you for your generosity! When I was growing up in Kenya, I never dreamt of going to a school like MIT Sloan. I was prepared to take the traditional path. But one mentor changed all that and allowed me to dream big and aim truly high. Going back to get my MBA was a step I felt I needed to take to unstick myself. I had reached a place in my career where I felt I wasn’t learning or challenging myself enough, and business school was a way to discover that.
I also wanted to meet people who were making an impact around the world. At Sloan, I want to explore opportunities working with start-ups in emerging countries. I am already in the process of doing this through the MIT Sloan Entrepreneurship for International Development Club. Being here and talking with people who are passionate about problem-solving and learning is a valuable asset that I hope to make the most of in my two years at Sloan.
AN IDEA MADE TO MATTER As a member of the MIT Sloan Entrepreneurship for International Development (SEID) Club, Mary has the opportunity to work with OKO, a Fintech start-up that offers low-cost crop insurance for rural, small-scale farmers in Mali. Together with another Sloan student, Mary is helping OKO to scale the business and reach profitability by understanding the best way to ensure farmers are getting value from the product. Mary hopes that their insights will help OKO reach an impactful scale and expand to other countries—like the Ivory Coast—where farmers are not able to improve their livelihoods due to changing yields. Previously, these farmers have had to sell their tools and animals to support their families during seasons of drought. With OKO, these farmers can now have peace of mind knowing that, regardless of weather changes, they will be able to meet their needs and that they can invest in the future. Mary is planning to visit Mali during IAP in January 2019 to interview farmers and conduct fieldwork to better understand the market and product needs.
Your contribution to my education has made this journey possible for me. I am always looking for ways to inspire young girls in Kenya and give back to my community. Coming to MIT Sloan allows me to show them that you can come from a small village and go to a globally-excellent school.
MFIN 2020
PAVEL LEBEDEV
If six years ago, when I was studying in a public high school in my small hometown in Russia, someone told me that I would study at MIT, I would have laughed and said that it was surreal and impossible. To be honest, it still feels surreal. I can hardly believe that I will soon be taking classes with Robert Merton and that I am surrounded by the brightest minds from all over the world. For me, coming to MIT meant not only exploring applications of hi-end financial theories and becoming part of MIT Sloan’s rich and collaborative network—it was a dream come true.
“THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR SUPPORT FOR ME AND FOR OTHER STUDENTS IS INVALUABLE.”
Thank you very much for making this amazing experience possible. The importance of your support for me and for other students is invaluable. The fellowship provides a chance for people from different backgrounds to take a leap in their academic and professional lives, and it is a testament to the generosity and involvement of the MIT Sloan community.
MIT SLOAN
MBA 2020
DANA MEKLER
MIT Sloan was my first choice for an MBA because of the incredible resources around entrepreneurship and innovation, both areas of great interest to me. I was attracted to the academic rigor, the broader MIT community, and the location, but most of all, I was very impressed by its human component. Sloan students, faculty, staff, and alumni struck me as humble, principled leaders I wanted to learn from. Two months after starting school, I could not agree more with that first impression.
I am so appreciative of your generosity. Thanks to you, I feel greatly supported in this new endeavor and less pressure to pursue a career driven by financial needs. This fellowship has tremendously helped me transition to being a full-time student. It also makes me feel encouraged to follow my passion and take risks, particularly as an entrepreneur and innovator. One day, I hope to be able to offer the same kind of support for a new generation of students.
SMARTER TOGETHER
EMBA 2020
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
SERGIO MEDINA
When I asked myself, ‘What community might I join that can help scale my knowledge-base as a leader and my non-profit humanitarian aid organization, RISE, to a stratospheric level?’ MIT Sloan became the clear choice. There was a moment when I thought to myself: MIT Sloan would never admit a social worker turned social entrepreneur. I love that I have been proven wrong, because not only was I admitted, I have been embraced heartily by MIT Sloan and the broader MIT community.
“YOU ARE PART OF MY ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY.”
My initial hopes for MIT Sloan are already being exceeded, and I am ready for continued and copious amounts of collaboration. My enthusiasm for generating excitement and involvement is both welcomed and encouraged, and that is a true testament to the spirit of MIT Sloan.
In addition to a most sincere thank you, I would like to say: you are part of my entrepreneurial journey at a critical inflection point at my organization. I write this from the field in Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya, where my organization, RISE, is building digital tools for the humanitarian and refugee aid community focused on improving outcomes for refugee children.
Our eyes are set on global scaling, and I can now say this with true confidence knowing that we have a strong tailwind of support behind us.
AN IDEA MADE TO MATTER Through MIT Sloan’s Legatum Center, Sergio received a seed grant from the Mastercard Foundation to found RISE. This start-up builds enterprise software to accelerate humanitarian aid for refugees and migrants globally, so that they may participate more fully in society. With pilots in Greece and Germany under its belt, RISE’s current pilot is in Kenya, testing if their innovation can help remove barriers to school participation among refugee children. Today, public agencies spend more than 10 billion USD annually on international aid for refugees. To help this industry achieve massive efficiencies, RISE uses technology to coordinate aid and relief efforts more effectively. RISE’s work has the potential to create a productive paradigm shift in the socio-economic contribution of more than 100 million migrants forced to flee their countries of origin. Sergio has been a life-long advocate for justice and protection for refugee and immigrant children. Without any formal training, he taught himself software design in order to solve the coordination challenges he faced in the field. His social work experience is proving instrumental in developing humancentered software, founding an organization that is diverse and inclusive, and building a venture that leverages business, design, and technology for great social impact. The son of migrant farm workers, Sergio’s childhood of poverty and adversity motivates him to represent his marginalized community well. He is the first in his family to go to college and graduate school. He is a significantly underrepresented minority (at 1%) in the community of Latinos with funded tech ventures. Sergio is also the first Latino social worker to be accepted into the MIT Sloan Executive MBA program.
MBA 2019
ALYSSA MURRAY
I decided to come to MIT Sloan because I knew that I would be surrounded by passionate individuals who I hoped to collaborate with and learn from. I also knew that I would be able to put my learnings into practice in Sloan’s many clubs and Action Learning labs. I come from a non-traditional MBA background working in public education, so exposure to finance, operations, data analytics, and economics is critical for my personal and professional development. I have only worked in one industry, so I also aim to take advantage of every opportunity while I am at Sloan to learn from my classmates and professors around me. I hope to apply my MIT Sloan education to rectify educational inequity in our nation.
Thank you for continuing to support young individuals who have vision and determination to become the leaders who solve the world’s pressing issues.
MIT SLOAN
MBA 2020
KEVIN REYNOLDS
I chose to attend MIT Sloan because of the mission and the people, the same two drivers that motivated me most during my previous career in the US government. Sloan stood out for its commitment to creating innovative and principled leaders, and for putting those words into action by deliberately assembling a diverse, accomplished, humble, and passionate student body. I hope that at the end of two years at Sloan, I edge in the workplace, a network of lifelong friends, and a set of priceless memories. Luckily, from my conversations with alumni and friends in the program, I know that all of these goals are basically guaranteed!
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“I AM EXCEPTIONALLY GRATEFUL, AND I HOPE TO ONE DAY PAY IT FORWARD.�
Thank you for your generosity and for helping to make my MIT Sloan experience possible. I am exceptionally grateful, and I hope to one day pay it forward!
SMARTER TOGETHER
MBA 2020
ISAAC SANTOS
When I fist came to visit MIT Sloan, I immediately felt at home and part of the community. It is a feeling I will never forget: the atmosphere was palpable, and it quickly became clear that this was a place where people didn’t just dream of a better future—they actually made it happen. I was born and raised in Honduras on a coffee farm surrounded by cattle, and I can say that I could have never imagined one day attending Sloan. While getting in was more than I could have asked for, receiving a fellowship made possible by generous alumni like you is truly inspirational and life-changing.
“TO BE ABLE TO LEARN AMONGST I believe education is the most powerful tool THE BEST STUDENTS in our society. To be able to learn amongst the best students and from the best professors AND FROM THE BEST in the nation is a gift I cherish every day. PROFESSORS IN THE A most sincere and heartfelt ‘Thank You,’ NATION IS A GIFT I for without you, this would not be possible. CHERISH EVERY DAY.”
MIT SLOAN
MBAN 2019
JOHN STOCKDALE
I am currently a Second Lieutenant in the US Army, which has been my life plan since roughly middle school. During my senior year at West Point, I explored the idea of attending graduate school before reporting to my first operational job in the US Army. When I found Sloan’s MBAn program, it seemed like a perfect fit for me. Because the MBAn program is the world’s premiere data science program and teaches state-of-the-art methods for data analytics, it will give me all of the necessary tools and knowledge to be an effective Military Intelligence Officer later in my Army career.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. I really would have never guessed that I would attend MIT Sloan. Without your fellowship support, I might not have been able to attend graduate school immediately after West Point. I am certain that this incredible opportunity I have now at Sloan will positively affect my professional career in and outside of the Army.
SMARTER TOGETHER
MBA 2020
FELIPE VASQUEZ JORQUERA
I became interested in MIT Sloan because I wanted a collaborative, challenging environment that pushed me to be both a better person and leader. I think ‘Mind and Hand’ is the best way to lead. Being at a university that calls me to improve the world with innovative solutions made my decision to attend MIT Sloan easy. It was the only school that I applied to, and I am still extremely happy about my decision. While at Sloan, I hope to have the guidance to start a company that helps to improve the quality of life for seniors in need. I also want to develop a ‘think big’ mindset to tackle the most complicated problems of our society. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I am the first professional in my family, and this graduate experience is a dream to me. I will make the most of these two years and will do everything “I THINK ‘MIND AND in my power to make you proud and think HAND’ IS THE BEST well of MIT.
WAY TO LEAD.”
MIT SLOAN
MFIN 2020
YONGWEI ZHENG
One of my favorite things about Sloan is the flexible curriculum that allows me to learn about finance in a variety of applications. I want to take full advantage of MIT Sloan’s collaborative environment to build my business knowledge and my leadership skills. Ultimately, I want to serve the MIT Sloan community well and leave it even better than how I found it.
I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your generosity and the legacy that you have helped to build. In making my fellowship possible, you have helped to alleviate some of the financial burden I would otherwise have experienced in coming to Sloan. Your fellowship dollars allow me to direct my full energy to my studies and the wide range of opportunities and experiences available at MIT. More importantly, your generosity has had a great influence upon my life and the lives of many other students at the school. I am inspired to continue your legacy in hope of making a positive impact in the community, both now and in the future. SMARTER TOGETHER
INVENT THE FUTURE. STUDENTS COME TO MIT SLOAN TO INVENT THE FUTURE BY SOLVING THE MOST COMPLEX PROBLEMS AND BRINGING SOLUTIONS OUT INTO THE WORLD. YOUR GIFT TO THE MIT SLOAN ANNUAL FUND PROVIDES FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT FOR THE MOST UNIQUELY QUALIFIED STUDENTS, DEVELOPING LEADERS THAT PRACTICE INNOVATION, READY TO PUT THEIR EDUCATION TO WORK TO CHANGE THE WORLD. NOW THAT’S AN IDEA MADE TO MATTER. GIVING.MIT.EDU/SLOAN Your support of the MIT Sloan Annual Fund provides essential, flexible funding for the students, faculty, and programs that need it the most.
“ “ -- MIT SLOAN
THANK YOU
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management Office of External Relations 77 Massachusetts Avenue, E60-200 Cambridge, MA 02139-4201 mitsloan.mit.edu/alumni