2016 Best MBAs: Joseph Mpumelelo Ngwenya, Dartmouth Tuck

Joseph Ngwenya Dartmouth

Joseph Mpumelelo Ngwenya

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College     

“Joseph acknowledges much has been given to him and this comes with great responsibility. He is an integral member of the Tuck community, recognized for his humility, integrity, kindness and inspired leadership.  He is the consummate team player in everything he does.”

Age: 34

Hometown: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Undergraduate School and Degree: Coastal Carolina University Double major Computer Science & Mathematics

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Professional Soccer player with: Los Angeles Galaxy, Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo, DC United (Major League Soccer – USA) Austria Karnten – (Bundesliga, Austria), Antalyaspor (Superlig, Turkey), etc

Where did you intern during the summer of 2015? Barclays Capital, NYC

Where will you be working after graduation? Barclays Capital, NYC – Investment Banking

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School  Grassroot Soccer – charity which uses the power of soccer to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Learning how to swim with the help of one of my classmates, who is an ex-Navy Seal.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? 2 MLS Cup Championships in the U.S. and getting the opportunity to train with the likes of Bayern Munich, Getafe and Hamburg SV in Europe.

Who is your favorite professor? Praveen Kopalle because he made a course as dry as Statistics engaging and fun.

Favorite MBA Courses? Global Economics for General Managers, Innovation Execution, Statistics, Managerial Economics and Structuring M&A

Why did you choose this business school? My interactions with Tuck and Dartmouth alumni who hold roles ranging from founding members to Board members of Grassroot Soccer made the Tuck School an easy choice to make.

What did you enjoy most about business school? The close knit culture of the school & community along with the supremely talented student body from which I learned a lot.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school? The importance of surrounding oneself with individuals smarter than you cannot be overstated.

What was the most surprising thing about business school? How many lifelong relationships can be made by attending a school as inclusive as Tuck.

What was the hardest part of business school? Balancing academics with recruiting, and having fun (which is important).

What’s your best advice to an applicant to your school? Visit the school and experience its unique culture.

I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I decided I wanted to change careers.”

If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…involved with professional soccer in some capacity.”

Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? Warren Buffett mainly because of his longevity and the way he has consistently created value for his shareholders.

What are your long-term professional goals? I would like to somehow leave a mark in the Africa growth story. Professionally I see myself helping manage a leading Africa-focused investment fund of some sort but most importantly, my long term goal is create a sustainable vehicle aimed at helping Zimbabwean youth get the same opportunities that got me to where I am today.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My family, friends and the Tuck community because I wouldn’t have had this opportunity without their help and unwavering support.

Fun fact about yourself: My Mom gave birth to me in a kraal (an enclosure for cows).

Favorite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption

Favorite musical performer: Jay Z, U2 and Dr. Dre

Favorite television show: Breaking Bad

Favorite vacation spot: Maldives & Cabo San Lucas

Hobbies? Anything that resemble/ involves sports

What made Joseph such an invaluable addition to the class of 2016?

“Joe is a remarkable individual. From Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to playing soccer for Bayern Munich to scoring a goal in the MLS Cup championship for the Houston Dynamo (they won!) to Tuck to a career in investment banking, Joseph Ngwenya has made an impression on everyone he’s met along the way. He has lived in five different countries, working in four of them. He is truly multi-national and multi-cultural with an incredible array of personal and professional experiences that have given him a real world perspective. He is determined and resourceful, graduating from Coastal Carolina University in just 3 years. He was an academic All-American, the most decorated and successful Division 1 soccer player in the university’s history.

Perhaps Joseph’s most important on-going contribution has been as an ambassador and volunteer for Grassroots Soccer (GRS), an “international adolescent health organization that uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth in developing countries to overcome their greatest health challenges, live healthier, more productive lives and be agents for change in their communities.”  Growing up in a country where at least 14% of the population is living with the HIV/AIDS, Joseph felt compelled to use his status as a former Zimbabwean national soccer team member and US professional soccer player to be a catalyst for change. He underwent an HIV test and had the results announced publicly, in a country where the stigma associated with the virus is paramount. Showing courage and dignity, his actions were inspirational to the community. Through such actions, he hopes to continue to be an advocate for positive change in his country and community, wherever he is.

Joseph acknowledges much has been given to him and this comes with great responsibility. He is an integral member of the Tuck community, recognized for his humility, integrity, kindness and inspired leadership.  He is the consummate team player in everything he does and we know he will continue to be that catalyst for change, managing life’s challenges whenever they converge while helping others to do the same. He is amazing.” — Sally Jaeger, Assistant Dean and Director of the MBA Program, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

DON’T MISS: CLASS OF 2016: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST GRADUATING MBAS

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