Career pivots are increasingly common among MBA graduates, and Georgetown McDonough’s Flex MBA program has become a launchpad for professionals seeking to shift industries without putting their careers on hold. For Maesha Ulcena (MBA’25), that pivot meant moving from a background in biomedical science and health technology into the world of financial services.

Her story highlights how mentorship, leadership opportunities, and Georgetown’s emphasis on principled business shaped her journey.

Building a Foundation in Healthcare and Health Tech

Before arriving at Georgetown, Ulcena had already built a strong career in healthcare and technology. She worked as a clinical laboratory supervisor at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and later as a technical implementation manager at Elation Health. While pursuing her part-time MBA in Washington, D.C., she was eager to apply her technical background to a broader business context.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Flex student was the ability to apply what I was learning—in and out of the classroom—in real time.”

Why Georgetown’s Flex MBA?

For Ulcena, the decision to join Georgetown was shaped by both values and flexibility.

“Georgetown’s emphasis on principled leadership made me excited to join a program with people of similar values. I also appreciated that the Flex MBA program mirrored the Full-time MBA in curriculum and opportunities to lead clubs and organizations.”

Discovering a New Path: From Healthcare to Financial Services

During her final year, Ulcena attended the National Black MBA Conference in Washington, D.C., where conversations with banking and financial services professionals sparked a new interest.

“I was pleasantly surprised to learn how similar financial services and healthcare are. Both industries operate in highly regulated environments and serve consumers in high-stakes situations.”

In June 2025, Ulcena joined M&T Bank as an executive associate on the Fraud Customer Experience Team, part of the bank’s MBA leadership development program.

Mentorship and Community as a Driving Force

Mentorship shaped Ulcena’s MBA journey as much as academics. From her early days in the program, she benefited from the support of second- and third-year students.

“The MBA journey can be incredibly transitional. Having students proactively share advice, check in, and guide me through electives and opportunities made a world of difference.”

Her trek to Ghana with the Emerging Markets Network further deepened those connections and inspired her to pay it forward. Ulcena became a student ambassador and program ambassador, helping new and prospective students navigate their own transitions.

Leadership Beyond the Classroom: Black MBA Association

Ulcena also made her mark as a leader. She served as vice president of marketing and later co-president of the Black MBA Association (BMBAA), where she prioritized building community through inclusive programming.

“When Black MBA won Organization of the Year, it was such an incredible culmination of the hard work and dedication of BMBAA members past, present, and future.”

Faculty and Coursework That Made the Difference

Ulcena credits faculty mentorship, particularly from Professor George Comer, with building her confidence in finance.

“Professor Comer was a tremendous source of support. He demystified finance and showed that it’s something everyone can—and should—feel confident navigating.”

Additional Career Pivot Spotlights

Education to Consulting: Ashby Manson (MBA’21)

Ashby Manson entered Georgetown McDonough’s Flex MBA program with a broad array of skills and expertise, ranging from nonprofit and higher education experience to business development and corporate training. She sought to develop her business acumen and technical capabilities through the quantitative rigor of the program. After graduation, Manson joined Deloitte Consulting as a human capital senior consultant, where she is now a manager.

“The Georgetown MBA program gave me the opportunities to push myself outside of my comfort zone and develop skill sets and a foundation for concepts outside of my day-to-day work experience. The combination of the coursework, including my MBA Certificate in Consumer Analytics and Insights, the McDonough Career Center, and my work experience crafted the story I needed to tell for interviews and the base on which I could develop my career in consulting.”

Consulting to Financial Services: Peter Schrader (MBA’24)

With a career in the U.S. Marine Corps and federal consulting, Peter Schrader completed the Flex MBA program in under three years. Schrader leveraged the expansive network and resources from industry-based MBA clubs, such as Finance Club, to help pivot to a new industry.

“The MBA provided the opportunity to explore different career fields and gave me the confidence to apply previously gained skills to a new role as I transitioned to a completely new career.”

A Legacy of Mentorship and Leadership

Ulcena’s story reflects Georgetown McDonough’s broader culture of support, where mentorship, academic rigor, and community empower students to pursue bold pivots. As she looks ahead in her role at M&T Bank, she continues to carry forward the values of principled leadership and pay-it-forward mentorship that shaped her MBA.

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