Anisha Shrestha

Emory University’s Goizueta Business School

“Creative, Resourceful, Artistic, Analytical, Empathetic and Ambitious.”

Hometown: Originally from Nepal but recently moved from Buffalo, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: I had my first and only skiing lessons on the French Alps when I studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland! It was one of the most difficult but rewarding experiences of my life.

Undergraduate School and Major: Smith College. Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Employer: M&T Bank

Title: Sr. Business Analytics Analyst (Sr. Data Analyst)

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My classmates are willing to learn, teach, and collaborate. I can sit next to any single one of them on a particular day and learn something new about them or about the world through a meaningful conversation.

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? A small intimate environment with a dedication to collaboration and teamwork was the key factor that led me to choose Goizueta. I wanted to be part of a community that valued me as an individual and invested the time to help me get the most out the program. Just within the first two weeks of onboarding, I have met and interacted with more than half of my classmates. This is valuable to me as I am assured that the program is dedicated to helping each of us achieve our professional goals by developing meaningful networks and continued collaboration.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I look forward to being an active member of the Goizueta Women in Business and supporting Goizueta’s commitment to diversity and to the growth of women in business.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? “Reflect on your business school application process and tell me what you have learned about yourself?”

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I wanted to make a career switch and transition into consulting. Additionally, I wanted to develop myself professionally and learn how to effectively work in ambiguous environments. The core classes at Goizueta are already challenging me to think creatively and analytically.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment so far would be managing the organization-wide reporting for the United Way campaign. United Way is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the U.S. that pools efforts in fundraising. My previous workplace actively works with United Way annually to support their fundraising efforts and to help the local community. Not only did I receive the opportunity to work with senior executives at the bank, but also used my professional skills to lead a project that directly impacted the lives of many around the Buffalo community.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Duke Fuqua, NYU Stern, Darden

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I prioritized class size, location, scholarship, and industry focus (if any) to create a list of target schools.

I reached out to current students and alumni to learn more about their experiences in the program, not just in terms of classes and recruiting but also clubs and organizations that they were a part of that helped enrich their overall experience. Through my conversations with them, I was certain that Goizueta’s experiential learning requirements and collaborative environment would help me best prepare myself for the consulting world.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Immigrating to the U.S. nine years ago. It was not until then that I fully realized I was considered a “minority”. Initially, because I felt and looked different than most people in my new community, it made sense for me to actively look for one that was inclusive of people who either looked like me, shared the same values or were familiar with the culture I grew up in. However, over the years my experiences in the US has taught me the value of absorbing and analyzing distinct perspectives. I have learned to embrace my uniqueness and bridge gaps by engaging in experiences that promote diversity in thought.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In the long term (ten years), I want to establish a private consulting firm in Nepal whose primary goal would be to assist organizations in the financial service industry in achieving operational excellence by effectively managing their human capital. More specifically, I want to help local banks take a proactive approach in handling functional procedures by capitalizing on data-driven decisions and investing in better technology.