Hui Pan

Emory University’s Goizueta Business School

“I am an ambivert who loves to read and go to live sports games.”

Hometown: Shanghai, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: eventcore, Project Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: After I was promoted to the Senior Assistant Food & Beverage Manager for Four Seasons St Louis, I elevated the bar guest experience score from 70% to over 90% in just 3 months. I also won Manager of the Quarter after just one year of being at that property.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Curious. I love all the interactions between professors and classmates. There are a lot of deep conversations during class sessions and I am learning a lot from the professors and my classmates.

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? Job placement. Goizueta had one of the highest employment placement rates in the country for top MBA programs.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? International Mid-Semester Module – I have picked to go to Russia for next year. I look forward to going on a trip with many like-minded MBA students to explore the culture and business practices of Russia.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? Out of Goizueta’s core values, which one resonates with you the most?  I thought that was a hard question because you can only pick one value. I chose diversity because I truly believe that’s the only way to learn and understand the global business models.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? With an operational background in luxury hotel brands, a deep understanding of customer needs, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, I would like to transition towards strategy work where I can solve complex problems and make a greater impact on businesses. Because of my passion for customer service and travel, I would like to eventually return to the hospitality industry where I can apply my experience to develop innovative strategies that drive revenue. Goizueta will equip me with analytical skillsets to conduct market research and consumer analytics while thinking creatively and strategically in a data-driven world. By learning from my classmates’ different experiences in other industries, it will deepen my knowledge base and prepare me to become a consultant.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Fuqua & Tuck

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I prioritized the class size and location of the school. I targeted schools on the East Coast and in the South. I have lived in Las Vegas, Austin, St Louis, Jackson Hole, and Seattle, but never got the opportunity to live on the East Coast. I chose schools with small class sizes because I want more interaction with faculty and classmates and more attention from the career management center.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? After my father passed away eight years ago, I realized that I needed to be strong for my mother. All my life, my mother has been my biggest cheerleader and I realized that I needed to be her rock from now on.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I would like to become the chief marketing officer for a luxury hotel brand like Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. By building a loyal customer base and bringing local experiences and products to customers, I can boost revenue for hotels and local businesses and create an important connection within communities.