Christopher Udall

University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business

“I am a farmhand with a passion for changing the world and building peace in the wake of violent conflict.”

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Fun Fact About Yourself: I designed and built an off-grid tiny home out of recycled barnyard materials in Montana in order to forego traditional living expenses while starting up a nonprofit to bridge skill gaps and counter extremism in the Middle East. I often take meetings while fly fishing from my Kayak.

Undergraduate School and Major: Brigham Young University – Hawaii BA in Intercultural Studies focusing on International Peace-building and Intercultural Communications

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Rebuild for Peace – CEO / Founder

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In December of 2016, I moved to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to do research into how to prevent youth extremist recruitment amongst refugees and at-risk youth. In that same month, after tremendous support, I started organizing a vocational, entrepreneurial, and peace-building training center in the village of Al-Karak.

At the end of December, tragedy struck as the Al-Karak Castle was attacked by local ISIS recruits, killing 14 tourists and leaving many others wounded. Having known some of the youth recruits, my students in this village were outraged and desired to rebuild the castle. I knew it was my mission to organize the Karak Castle rebuild. For the next three months, I used all of my skills in anthropology and community organizing, collaborating with almost every branch of Jordanian Government to gain approval and training my students in proper restoration techniques. Many of the students began leading out on their own projects in designing peace gardens and mural work. Some even organized a community event to discuss counterextremism issues in the community.

In March, it all came together when my students unified the community, organizing their fellow Karakis to not only rebuild the Al-Karak Castle and fix the bullet holes but to make a statement to the world that in the wake of violent conflict, we will rebuild for peace. I had never been further from my comfort zone in an Arab nation working in a language I could not understand, and fighting against ideals of extremist groups. However, this is where and how Rebuild for Peace Inc. was born. My life’s work that I am taking to the world is to help any at risk youth approached by extremist and violent causes around the world. Providing them the skills and empowerment they need to not only make a life for themselves but to also grow their local economies while becoming leaders and advocates for peace.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Humble. Everyone is like the accomplished millionaire living next door. Everyone I have met with so far has shown me a depth of companionship and empathy that is rare in today’s world. I have not seen anyone boast of their accomplishments or prestige, but rather they seek to help one another in any way they can. I stood in shock as I saw classmates offer up their living space to an international family that showed up late due to visa issues. I don’t know how the admissions team did this, but I have never been in a group of people who are so highly accomplished and intellectual but also exuded a level of kindness and support that bonds classmate together for life.

Mendoza is known as a purpose-driven MBA program that asks students to “Ask More of Business.” What is your mission and how will Mendoza help you realize it? My mission in life is to expand the intersection between peace-building and business. I came to Mendoza with one burning question that is how to make peace profitable. During my time in the MBA, I will be working on a graduate minor in peace studies and working diligently with my classmates to come up with the most socially innovative and profitable business initiatives for peace the world has yet to see. With the resources and programs such as Business on The Front Lines offered by Mendoza along with the Idea Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, there does not exist a better program to explore the topics of peace and business. 

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? Business as a force for good. I think businesses have the correct model to solve many of the issues our world faces and Notre Dame focuses on how to do that on the macro and micro levels.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Golfing on campus before class is when you know you’re living the dream. I also plan to participate in the consulting club, social networking club, and the Idea Center.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? How is your day? I wanted to say, ‘I’m tired and smelly from sleeping in airports and long bus trips and please don’t stand to close to me or notice that I’m wearing a borrowed suit a few sizes too big.’ In the end, I felt all that was covered in a one-word answer. Good. The interview is a great experience and they are just looking to get to know the authentic you so if you are yourself you will have a blast.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Rebuild for Peace and its impact-driven mission – to end youth recruitment to extremist and violent causes worldwide – is my life’s work and is the motivating factor in my desired admittance to Mendoza College of Business. I am hopeful to collaborate at length with my colleagues in order to further develop and provide the most innovative and technologically advanced programs and social enterprises the world has yet to see. My immediate goals involve the building of sustainable funding sources, the further development of the nonprofit’s already existing community-centered services, and the franchise-model-like expansion of our programs to assist in additional communities.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? In order to give myself the best chance, I applied to the top ten business schools. A few interviews, but ultimately all rejections. A little discouraged, I got back on my computer and applied to the second set of top schools in the top 25. After interviewing at Tuck, I had a layover in Chicago and decided to pay Notre Dame a surprise visit. The accommodations and kindness I received were night and day from the other schools. They made me feel valued and accepted. I now know that I felt valued because they actually sincerely value all their students and faculty.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Fit is irrelevant. Seeking an MBA is an investment in self-improvement. What program is going to foster vulnerability of your character and have you questioning everything you ever believed about yourself in a supportive and encouraging enrolment? Post-compensation aside, finding a program that improves you and your ability is more important than their brand on your resume. There are many ways to make money but having time to reflect and solidify what you’re fighting for in life is worth twice what you pay in tuition.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? In Za’atari Refugee Camp, a young Syrian boy with a deep love of soccer invited me into his home to show off his extensive collection of soccer medals. He so valued them that he packed them into a small backpack slung over his shoulder during his long journey fleeing the violence of his Syrian home and seeking refuge and safety in the desert. As I was leaving, he motioned for me to bend down, slipping one of his gold medals around my neck. I didn’t understand the Arabic words he whispered, but the power, love, and impact I felt in that exchange changed me forever. This young man gave what little he had to someone who has so much.

I have received many awards, diplomas, degrees, and certificates in my life. None of them have a fraction of the importance as this medal given to me by this young refugee. It is now displayed proudly in my office reinforcing the fact that life is not about being accomplished, but about being impactful. It is not about your importance, but your influence.

After my body is laid to rest, and I stand before my Creator, I do not want to be white and pure but bruised, bloodied, and beat. I want to be worn out because I gave my all to positively affect the entire tone of humanity.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In a small airport waiting for my flight going who knows where to help who knows who innovate social impact initiatives to solve the problems faced by their communities. I might be rich or poor, but I will be grateful for the education and support provided me by Notre Dame.