Meet Cornell Johnson’s MBA Class of 2018

Catianne S. K. Ngante

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am a proud second-generation Cameroonian-American with a passion to spotlight diverse cultures and unite diverse communities.

Hometown: Lakeville, MN

Fun Fact About Yourself: I like to finish my day by watching an old school ’90s cartoon episode (e.g., Rugrats; Hey, Arnold).

Undergraduate School and Major: Dartmouth College – Anthropology modified with African & African-American Studies

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

• ICF International Consulting Firm – Consultant Website Development Management
• Second Harvest Heartland | Hunger-Free MN – Business & Marketing Analyst
• Women’s Foundation of MN – Program Assistant
• Greater Twin Cities United Way – Web Development Specialist
• United Healthcare – Proposal Development Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

There have been many tasks and projects that I’ve been able to execute with finesse, while at the same time fortifying relationships among teams. The accomplishment I’m most proud of is not necessarily those projects, it’s the moment I paused and began to reflect on my definition of success. That experience has grown into a pattern of reflecting before, during, and after saying yes to a new projector opportunity. During my reflection, I ask myself these questions:

1. Does this align with my core values?
2. What impact will this have?
3. Will this make me happy?

These three simple questions have led me to the path I am on now – pursuing an MBA at Johnson and building a career that embodies my truest passions.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? Before considering programs or preparing for the GMAT, take time to reflect on who you are today and who you would like to become in the next 3, 5, and 10 years. Identify the things that drive you to succeed and the experiences that have helped mold you. This initial reflection will serve as a basis for you to refer to when navigating through the MBA application process, as well as a foundation you can build upon throughout your MBA journey.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I chose Johnson because I wanted to be a part of a community that resonated with me. It’s a community made up of highly ambitious, intelligent, and empathetic leaders. Johnson’s stellar curriculum, experiential learning, and strong focus on leadership development nurture individuals to grow into formidable well-rounded business leaders.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? Culture is a major part of who I am and as a result, it’s a passion of mine. My dream employer is a company that has strong values centered on positively impacting humanity. It is a company that has been or is actively striving to have its brands and products positively represent and meet the needs of diverse communities. My dream company positively supports the needs of its internal diverse community and evolves proactively with cultural norms and changes in society.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I am an empathetic leader that possesses an infectious and serious work ethic. I’d like to be known for actively listening and supporting others to design and achieve their goals. I’d like them to say that I am a blessing to work with and genuinely care about others.