2015 Best MBAs: Katherine Beaulieu

Katherine Beaulieu

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

There are some people who just “get it.” Ask them to do anything – even during crunch time – and they’ll make it look easy. And they always seem to have time for every committee or volunteer activity. They’re versatile, dependable, and seemingly unstoppable. At Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, you just say, ‘they’re another Katherine Beaulieu.’ Call Beaulieu, the Swiss army knife of students who excels wherever she finds herself. Graduating at the top of her class, you’ll find Beaulieu recruiting the next class or helping to teach a statistics course–and that’s after having a baby boy in January. Did did we mention that she has run five marathons since she started her MBA program? “She embodies all that is great about our small, collaborative, intensely connected community that produces champions like her,” gushes Shashi Matta, the faculty director of MBA Programs at Fisher.

Age: 32

Hometown: Centerville, OH

Undergraduate School: The Ohio State University

Undergraduate Degree: BSBA Business Administration, Marketing

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Cardinal Health, Strategic Sourcing Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2014? Kellogg Company, Battle Creek, MI

Where will you be working after graduation? BASF, Leadership Development Program Candidate

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I first walked through the Fisher College of Business campus as a Freshman in college. I saw four Seniors in suits in Mason Hall preparing to give a presentation and I knew I wanted to stand in their shoes one day.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would…still be hoping to see the Great Wall of China.”

What are your long-term professional goals? I love finding solutions for customers and hope to lead a Sales or Account Management division.

Favorite Courses: Strategic Implementation, Economics, Leadership Legacy

Which academic or professional achievements are you most proud of? I am proud of my involvement in a successful multi-billion dollar Pfizer contract re-negotiation in 2012. The negotiation was considered a success on both sides and the relationship between Cardinal Health and Pfizer was stronger as a result.

Who would you most want to thank for your success (and why)? My husband and best friend, Kevin. He has been my #1 cheerleader through all the classes, late night essays, team meetings, interviews, exams, and a long three-month internship away from home. I could not have undertaken this new venture without him and I am incredibly grateful for his patience, love and support these past two years.

Why did you choose this business school? I decided to return for my MBA after completing the 2013 Boston Marathon 45 minutes before the bombings. After that experience, in order to honor and remember the victims, I decided to dedicate myself to making a positive impact in my community – as a runner, marketer, and business leader. I became a marathon coach to help others achieve their goal of successfully crossing the finish line. I joined the Board of Girls on the Run of Franklin County to inspire the next generation of female runners. And I decided to return to business school to refine my skills and refocus my career on making a difference. I was fortunate to attend Fisher as an undergraduate and it has always held a special place in my heart. I knew I would be able to remain active in my local Columbus community and achieve my business goals by returning to Fisher College of Business for my MBA. Fisher has provided the platform for finding my voice, supporting my causes, and starting the next stage of my career with BASF, a company dedicated to solving the world’s toughest problems. I would not have been able to have the phenomenal experiences of the past two years at any other MBA program.

What did you enjoy most about business school? Meeting lifelong friends! Working on numerous teams throughout my time at Fisher I was able to get to know many of my classmates, and I think of them as my Fisher family. I am so proud of all we have accomplished in a short amount of time, and look forward to celebrating many future successes together.

What is your most memorable moment from business school? Other than the healthy birth of my son, Julian, on January 11, 2015, my most memorable moment from business school was presenting to the leadership team of Philips Healthcare in Shanghai, China, as part of the Global Applied Projects program.

Fun fact about yourself: I won a week-long cruise for two by winning a 5k in Jamaica in 2013.

Favorite book: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Favorite television show: Game of Thrones or House of Cards. Hard to pick!

What are your hobbies? Running, Reading, Coffee and Traveling to new places

What made Katherine such an invaluable addition to the class of 2015?

“Try making sense of this – She ran four marathons including the 2015 Boston Marathon, gave birth to her first child three months prior to that, and is at the very top of her class with a 4.0 GPA – all while pursing her MBA at Fisher College of Business. Passionate runner, first time mom, dedicated community leader, and top performer at school – meet Katie B. What surprises you, more than all her accomplishments, is that she makes it looks so unbelievably effortless. She makes you believe that all of it’s possible. Easy to talk to, easier to like and admire, Katie is an inspiration. It’s easy to see why she is so very special for us at Fisher. She embodies all that is great about our small, collaborative, intensely connected community that produces champions like her. The icing on the cake, you ask? Katie is a two-time Fisher graduate.”

– Shashi Matta, clinical associate professor of marketing and faculty director of MBA programs