Abena Anima Nyantekyi Owusu

Harvard Business School

“Fun, quirky, passionate and driven Ghanaian woman influenced by the desire to create positive long-lasting impact.”

Hometown: Accra, Ghana

Fun Fact About Yourself: After college, I created, produced, and co-presented an alternative music and lifestyle radio show with a group of friends that ran for about a year on a popular Accra radio station. I love music although I have no musical ability. This was a really fun way to share and express my love of various musical genres.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bsc Business Administration, Ashesi University College, Accra, Ghana

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: General Electric (GE) Healthcare, Strategic Project Development Manager, West & Central Africa

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Leading the development of a program to modernize selected primary healthcare facilities and district hospitals for the Ghana Ministry of Health (MOH). I also identified the key partners and structured a consortium to deliver the project. The proposed program has been highlighted as a priority project for the Ghana MOH for 2020. Once executed, it will improve the existing infrastructure, streamline the healthcare referral pathway between these facilities, and improve access and quality of care at the primary care and district hospital level. This was my first time leading the developing of a major government proposal and it was a huge accomplishment for it to be positively recognized by the MOH and included on their projects priority list for the upcoming year.

Another major accomplishment was leading commercial activity in Ghana during my time as a key account manager and shaping the Ghana market strategy, which resulted in double-digit market share growth. In driving the sale of GEHC solutions, my team and I were able to successfully contribute to improving the quality of healthcare diagnostics in the Ghanaian market. In many cases, we were providing solutions and products that were first in the market and previously non-existent. This hit close to home on several occasions when I or someone I knew required tests or scans that were only available on products that we’d supplied.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Incredibly smart, authentic, driven and fun!

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The case method makes business concepts so relevant and practical. It’s an immersive way to fully embrace and appreciate the complexity of being a manager in today’s world. Having such a practical view of business concepts is invaluable as a manager as theory does not always mimic real life. The case method also allows for enhanced engagement in the classroom and allows you to learn from your classmates and their diverse experiences, which really improves your exposure and provides unique insight into various business scenarios and practices.

Aside from your classmates and cases, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The HBS commitment to Africa (evidenced by programs like the Go Africa fellowship and the various Africa-focused courses, clubs, and events) was a big factor for me. I’m determined to return to Africa post-HBS to continue developing technology and infrastructure projects and to hone my skills and capabilities as a business leader in Africa. As such, it was very important that I attend a school that could provide the resources, network, and support to do that.

What was the most surprising thing you discovered about Harvard Business School during the application process? I was pleasantly surprised by how supportive and collaborative current students and alumni were during the application process. I had an immense amount of support (from essay reviews to interview prep, to school tours and social events) from students and alums that I’d never even met. They really went above and beyond to help! I also realized that HBS admissions really does take a holistic view of the entire application. I previously thought having high scores (GMAT and GPA) were a huge focus and a deal-breaker, but the admissions team really does look at the bigger picture and takes a truly holistic view of our applications.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? The Africa Business Club, the Wine Tasting Club, and the Tech and Healthcare Club. I’m also looking forward to going on some amazing treks to South America, Asia, and the Middle East, as I love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures. (Primarily through eating as I’m a huge foodie.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? I was asked about my experience working as a woman in Africa with a focus on the challenges and the prejudice that I may have faced. I’ve generally had a very positive experience working in Africa. However, this question did trigger a number of memories/instances where I had faced blatant prejudice. Relieving and explaining these moments in the interview was a little emotional and challenging, but it also represented a bonding moment as my interviewer also had some similar experiences.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I’ve had a fantastic career until now. However, after some self-reflection, I realized that to move to the next level of my career I had to be intentional about honing my specific leadership style, expanding my global exposure, and network. I believe an MBA will be immensely helpful in achieving these goals.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? The Kellogg School of Management, Tuck School of Business, and the Ross School of Business.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? The culture, people, location, and teaching method were integral to assessing my fit for the various schools. I researched culture by visiting all the schools I applied to, engaging with current students and alums and poring over the school websites and external sites like Poets and Quants. I knew HBS would fit my career goals by looking at the diversity of the student population, the reach and influence of the alumni network, and the global reach of the HBS brand.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? The death of my mother when I was 19 strongly shaped my sense of purpose and the need to make an impact during my time on Earth. This event has influenced a majority of my major life decisions by forcing me to consider how they are related to my purpose and in which way they can drive impact.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I would love to open an Africa-focused project development consultancy focused on developing and investing in infrastructure and technology projects. I believe Infrastructure is critical to sustainable economic growth in Africa and I love the process of developing solutions and working with various stakeholders to help bridge this gap.