Sarah Biondich

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“Fluent in sarcasm, radiating with love; always acting with calculated spontaneity.”

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I attend around 30 concerts a year and have seen the Chainsmokers 10 times in 7 different cities

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Georgia, Accounting

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Boston Consulting Group, recently on Secondment at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as Associate Strategy Officer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While working at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, I was able to work with a relatively new team to help design a strategy and Theory of Change for how the Agriculture Development team will invest in Digital Farmer Services over the next 5-10 years. Reviewing the strategy with our leadership team was extremely rewarding!

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Genuine – We were encouraged on our first day together to take our questions to one another a level deeper and I think everyone took that to heart. While it’s only been a short time, I have been able to really connect and see the authenticity this class holds. 

Aside from your classmates, 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 focus on both academic and extracurricular activities (both social and professional) was extremely appealing to me and something I was looking for in an MBA program. The versatility of the opportunities Wharton presents allows me to make the most of my experiences both in and out of the classroom.

Talk to us about the team-based project you completed during the application process. What did you do that helped you stand out during it? I approached it like I was meeting with friends and wasn’t afraid to make jokes, interact on things that were not completely serious, and make sure the atmosphere was more fun than stressful.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m looking forward to training through Boxing club and potentially participating in Fight Night in the spring!

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? Describing an impactful experience was challenging as it required me to take a significant amount of time to think introspectively and really understand how some of the events in my life have contributed to shaping where I am now.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  It seemed like a natural pivot point in my career to take a step back and learn some additional skills before moving into more of a leadership role.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? MIT, HBS, GSB

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I prioritized culture and fit with the students, opportunities for international development and social impact, presence, and focus in Africa

I talked to over 10 students at my top schools, most of whom I had no connection. I spent time on the school website and looked at all of the clubs I had a vague interest in, found some members or leaders for those clubs, and messaged them on Linkedin. I also tried to spend time on the campus and attend a class if my schedule permitted.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? There was a period of time in college when I was struggling with anxiety and depression and that really caused me to look at my priorities in life and determine what brings me the most joy. I joined the Club Lacrosse team at UGA and switched my major from Pre-Med to Business. I began taking more time to focus on myself versus always trying to succeed and be involved in things because I ‘had to.” It provided me with the space to fully be myself and embrace the things I was interested in versus what I thought I should do based on what others were doing.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I see myself in an East African city, like Nairobi, working for an organization that helps entrepreneurs within Africa develop sustainable business models that target smallholder farmers.