Michaela Nesson

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“Hard-working and enthusiastic adventurer passionate about contributing to sustainable global development.”

Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have been swimming in the Brazilian Amazon!

Undergraduate School and Major: Harvard University, B.A. Sociology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Palladium International, Grants Management Senior Associate

What excites you most about studying in Washington, DC? Washington, D.C., is a vibrant city at the center of policy, business, and international relations. Its walkability and diverse food scene are also big attractions!

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Georgetown McDonough’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Georgetown is committed to shaping leaders who aren’t just skilled in finance and marketing, but also are good people. Georgetown prioritizes service and makes sustainability and social impact fundamental to the study of business, and this was the type of community I wanted to be surrounded by in business school.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Georgetown McDonough? I’m looking forward to joining the Net Impact club to meet students similarly interested in continuing or pursuing careers in the field of international development and exploring different pathways to do so.

Georgetown McDonough programming focuses heavily on instilling a global mindset. Why is exposure to global diversity so critical to business success? More likely than not, we’ll all find ourselves working with people from different cultures or parts of the world throughout our careers. Exposure to global diversity helps prepare us to collaborate effectively in cross-cultural work environments, understand different approaches to business, and remain open-minded and adaptable.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My first job after college was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru. Building relationships and working in the health sector of a small rural community presented some of the most difficult challenges and meaningful experiences of my career so far.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful?  For me, making connections is the marker of a successful experience. I hope that in these next two years I will build a strong network of peers and friends.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Georgetown McDonough’s MBA program? Georgetown McDonough is such a unique business school. Think about how its unique qualities align with the specific knowledge, skills, or experiences you’re most looking to gain from graduate school. Then communicate those synergies clearly and authentically in your application materials!

DON’T MISS: MEET GEORGETOWN MCDONOUGH’S MBA CLASS OF 2025