Consortium Student Ambassadors

“Estevan Astorga

Hometown: Rio Rico, Arizona
Pre-MBA Industry: International Development
Post-MBA Career Goals: Strategy Consulting and Entrepreneurship
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: The best part of my experience thus far has been participating at the Reaching Out MBA career fair. It was empowering for me to participate at a career fair specifically for members of the LGBTQ+ community enrolled in MBA programs throughout the world. This experience made me realize how supportive and diverse McDonough’s community is. Additionally, I appreciated the preparation I received from the McDonough Career Center and The Consortium to successfully navigate my experience at a career fair, which resulted in prospective internship opportunities.”

“Elyse Bush

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Pre-MBA Industry: Academia
Post-MBA Career Goals: CPG Marketing & Entrepreneurship
What is the best part about living in Washington, D.C.?: The location is a sweet spot – it’s at the intersection of policy, technology, and business.”

“Daniela Cardenas

Hometown: Medellin, Colombia
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Construction
Post-MBA Career Goals: Consulting, Impact Investing
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose Georgetown McDonough because I identified with the Jesuit values and wanted a close-knit community for my MBA. In addition to its wonderful reputation, being in Washington, D.C., makes the program attractive because you are at the intersection of business and international politics.”

“Alexandra Carpenter

Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Financial Services
Post-MBA Career Goals: Corporate Strategy, Marketing
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose Georgetown McDonough due to the global focus of the program. It embraces and organizes global opportunities for students, such as hosting diverse leaders on-campus and creating opportunities to engage in projects with international companies. In the first months of the program, I have had the opportunity to work with people from different countries and professional backgrounds.”

“Marthaline Cooper

Hometown: Providence, RI
Pre-MBA Industry: Healthcare Technology
Post-MBA Career Goals: Consulting
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: The best part of my experience thus far is serving as a Peer Advisor for the Career Center and a Student Interviewer for the Admissions Committee. I find it rewarding to know that I am helping my peers achieve their career goals, as so many people have done for me in the past.”

“Adam Davis

Hometown: Clarksville, MD
Pre-MBA Industry: Accounting, Audit
Post-MBA Career Goals: Strategy Consulting
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: The best part of my experience so far at Georgetown McDonough has been the collegial atmosphere. You might expect a business school to be cutthroat, but everyone is collaborative. The school definitely puts an emphasis on team work. I’m excited to continue on this journey with my classmates as we learn and position ourselves for the future!”

“Kamal Eko

Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Pre-MBA Industry: Public Accounting
Post-MBA Career Goals: Investment Banking
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: My favorite aspect of the Georgetown MBA experience so far is the diverse background of my fellow classmates. I have been able to learn so much and gain new perspectives from super talented individuals.”

“Estefania Ellis

Hometown: Rockville, MD
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Government
Post-MBA Career Goals: Technology and Project Management
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: The best part of my Georgetown experience thus far has been networking with a diverse group of top-tier professionals that all share the common goal of becoming principled leaders. I’ve also really enjoyed interacting with distinguished faculty that shares this mission and priority.”

“Demsas Gebrehewot

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Pre-MBA Industry: Sales in Financial Service and Non-profit
Post-MBA Career Goals: Internal Strategy and CSR
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: In the three months we’ve been on campus, I’ve felt that the community at Georgetown McDonough has been the best part of my experience thus far. When you join an MBA program, you expect to enter a hyper-competitive arena in which students don’t often prioritize much ahead of their personal success. At Georgetown, my experiences have been the opposite. Students who have prior subject-matter experience are willing to sacrifice the time that they could use to study other material in order to help others.”

“Adriana Gonzalez

Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Healthcare
Post-MBA Career Goals: Healthcare
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: One of the most meaningful experiences so far has been representing my cohort (66 students) within student government. Through my role as cohort rep, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from my peers and make sure that the voices of my diverse cohort are well-represented.”

“Pedro Omar Gutierrez

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Pre-MBA Industry: Financial Services
Post-MBA Career Goals: Finance
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose Georgetown McDonough for three reasons. 1) The people and the culture 2) There is so much to see and do in Washington, D.C. 3) The program’s global component and the student culture.”

“Alexandra Herzog

Hometown: Chappaqua, NY
Pre-MBA Industry: Non-Profit
Post-MBA Career Goals: CPG Marketing
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose Georgetown McDonough because of the location, international exposure, commitment to social impact, relationships with marketing recruiters, and the people.”

“Silas Humphries

Hometown: Anderson, IN
Pre-MBA Industry: Health and Government Consultant
Post-MBA Career Goals: Human Capital Consulting
What is the best part about living in Washington, D.C.?: The best part of living in Washington, D.C., is constantly interacting with diverse, intelligent, and driven people who push you to greater heights.”

“Lauren Jordan

Hometown: Southfield, MI
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Social Impact, Entrepreneurship, Education
Post-MBA Career Goals: Social Impact, Entrepreneurship
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose McDonough because I had previously been living in D.C., and wanted to continue to do so. I also admired the fact that many folks at Georgetown came from non-traditional backgrounds.”

“Lydia Kickham-Dawes

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Pre-MBA Industry: Investment Banking, Operations Management
Post-MBA Career Goals: Supply Chain Management
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: Georgetown’s Career Center is so hands-on, and I knew they would prepare me well for the internship and full-time job process. It was obvious that the Career Center staff truly cares about McDonough students. Additionally, I felt that the Jesuit principles were instilled within the Georgetown community because the staff and students were welcoming and selfless. I wanted to be a part of the community and give back to future students the same way that they did for me.”

“Lauren Laverty

Hometown: Cranbury, NJ
Pre-MBA Industry: Banking
Post-MBA Career Goals: Marketing
What is the best part about living in Washington, D.C.?: The best thing about living in Washington, D.C., is the sheer amount of things there are to do here. There is always something going on. There are galleries, museums, sporting events, cultural events, restaurant openings, etc. The restaurants are diverse and amazing as well. The people living here are also highly educated and ambitious.”

“Maya McWhorter

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Oil and Gas
Post-MBA Career Goals: ESG/DEI in Tech
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose McDonough because of the Certificate in Sustainable Business, the amazing D.C., location, the community, and the focus on the intersection between business and policy.”

“Chris Mendez

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Commercial Real Estate
Post-MBA Career Goals: As a polyglot, my goal is to use my financial training and my real estate expertise as vehicles to manage domestic and international investments.
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: Georgetown McDonough was my top choice for its Steers Center for Global Real Estate program, its strong sense of moral compass, its smaller classroom sizes, and its location in a global gateway city. For those reasons, McDonough was the best cultural fit for me.”

“Mwemba Mwemba, Jr.

Hometown: Midland, MI
Pre-MBA Industry: Sales in the Energy Industry
Post-MBA Career Goals: Commercial LDP in Healthcare
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: The best part of my experience thus far at Georgetown McDonough has been getting to know my fellow classmates. I’m incredibly impressed with how the Admissions Office curated our class. The level of diversity from a cultural to an intellectual perspective has been very cool to be a part of. Most importantly, I’m humbled and thrilled to learn alongside others who genuinely are seeking to make a positive impact inside and outside of the corporate boardroom.”

“Mirabel Nkenke

Hometown: Newark, NJ
Pre-MBA Industry: Technology
Post-MBA Career Goals: Strategy and Operations at a tech company
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I attended Georgetown for my undergraduate degree and so when thinking back to which school to pursue it was a no-brainer for me. I connect with the values that Georgetown upholds and I knew I wanted to be part of the community again.”

“Ed Offutt

Hometown: Boston, MA
Pre-MBA Industry: Legal
Post-MBA Career Goals: Entrepreneurship, Consulting, Finance
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: The best part of my experience thus far has been witnessing firsthand the tremendous amount of growth that has been shown by my peers from the beginning of opening term to its completion. Three weeks may seem like a short amount of time, but in the end, no student was the same person they were when we started.”

“Loretta Okoye

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Pre-MBA Industry: Commercial Real Estate, Capital Markets
Post-MBA Career Goals: Financial Services
What is the best part about living in Washington, D.C.?: The best part about living in Washington, D.C., is that you get all the convenience of a global city, but with a small-town feel. There are plenty of things to do off campus, and no matter where you live you are only a short, easy ride from campus, off campus social events, museums, restaurants, and nightlife. It is simple to get back and forth from New York for meetings and interviews, which has been especially useful for me.”

“Lola Osho

Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Pre-MBA Industry: Food and Beverage, Finance
Post-MBA Career Goals: Operations
What is the best part about living in Washington, D.C.?: Washington, D.C., has been the perfect blend of a metropolitan atmosphere, with a relaxed vibe. I’ve been able to visit several of the Smithsonian museums, catch live shows, and grab a few drinks with classmates at the many D.C., watering holes. After living in Brooklyn for the last few years, Washington, D.C., is the ideal change of pace for me.”

“Sorin Ovreiu

Hometown: Pasadena, MD
Pre-MBA Industry: Financial Services, Consulting
Post-MBA Career Goals: Strategy Consulting
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose Georgetown McDonough for its location, focus on ethical leadership development, and the connection between business and government. I wanted to be in a major metro area for its social scene and Washington, D.C., has not disappointed. McDonough is known as the premier institution that focuses on ethical leadership due to its Jesuit principles. I’m interested in the intersection between the public and private sectors, in which McDonough has an advantage.”

“Tory Paez

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Pre-MBA Industry: Consulting and International Development
Post-MBA Career Goals: Social Impact, Non-profit Consulting
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: I chose Georgetown McDonough because I wanted to unify my professional interests in the private, public, and social impact sectors. The program focuses on service and principled leadership, which was important to me as I prepare for the next stage of my career.”

“Jackie Powell

Hometown: Madison, VA
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: International Development and Higher Education
Post-MBA Career Goals: Real Estate Asset Management
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: I have been really impressed by the alumni network at Georgetown. My undergraduate institution was fairly small and did not have masters or Ph.D. programs. Coming to a campus that has both opens up so many more doors. There is a special Hoya connection with alumni and I’m grateful to give and receive the support.”

“Tomas Valdes

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Pre-MBA Industry: Investment Management
Post-MBA Career Goals: Consulting, Financial Services, International Business
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: The best part of my experience so far has been the people. One of the reasons I went for an MBA was to expose myself to other professional opportunities and I’ve already been able to learn from my fellow classmates who come from different types of industries and are incredibly driven.”

“Richard Williamson

Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Pre-MBA Industry/ Function: Government
Post-MBA Career Goals: Global Strategy, Operations, Supply Chain
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough?: Thus far in my career, I have been fortunate enough to work alongside professionals from six out of the seven continents. This experience has shown me the extreme value of having an international approach to business. Having built teams with professionals from over 30 countries, I wanted to ensure that my MBA experience will continue to hold this value in high esteem. And the McDonough School of Business is internationally known for doing just that.”

“Michelle Wu

Hometown: Miami, FL
Pre-MBA Industry: Consulting, Financial Services
Post-MBA Career Goals: Marketing, Technology
What has been the best part of your experience thus far?: My favorite part of the experience so far has been my classmates. I’m thrilled to come to school every day to have the opportunity to hang out with such an amazing, caring, and bright community.”