Anne (Annie) Kwiatt  

University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business

“Former scientist motivated by creating positive social/environmental impact, shifting from monkeys to business.”

Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I boxed for four years as an undergrad and was a captain for two of those years, as a part of the ND Women’s Boxing Club (Baraka Bouts). 

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Notre Dame, B.A. Anthropology & Peace Studies; New York University, M.A. Museum Studies; University of Texas at San Antonio, M.A. Anthropology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: 

• Employer: Lincoln Park Zoo
• Title: Research Coordinator, Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I was part of the team that planned and ran the largest joint conference of the two major professional organizations for the field of primatology: the International Primatological Society and the American Society of Primatologists. It was a week of a lot of moving parts in one place, but seeing the overall strategy and planning come into place and turn into an amazing conference was incredibly gratifying. Plus getting to meet and spend some quality time with one of my heroes, Dr. Jane Goodall, made all the hard work even more worth it!

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Impressive: I am truly in awe of being surrounded by so many people who have chosen to take a step back from very successful careers to learn more about how business can be used as a force for good in the world. Although it can be intimidating at times, each and every one of my classes has been incredibly warm and inviting, while also challenging me to think differently and inspiring me to do better.

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? I am inspired by the idea that business can be used as a platform to transform global social and environmental challenges into opportunities, and that innovative ideas can change the world for the better. I want to use my experience in conservation and nonprofits to help corporations engage with impact organizations to solve social and environmental problems. Mendoza’s commitment to the mission of “Business as a Force for Good” is evident in programs such as the Business On the Frontlines course. The program provides many opportunities to get involved in real issues in local and global business so that we gain critical business skills and experience. The foundation I am being given will not only allow me to pivot my career but also get a chance to start making a difference.

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? As a Notre Dame alumna, I knew that the university stands for strong values and a commitment to academic excellence. From speaking with current students of the MBA program – as well as the faculty, staff, and alumni – it really struck me how every aspect of the program is centered around the question “What are you fighting for?” Each course or club has ethical business practice at its core, and each alumna I spoke with carried that passion for fighting on behalf of those who do not have a voice and doing what is right on through their professional career.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to participating in the Business on the Frontlines course to get first-hand experience using business to help local communities and organizations. And I am still undecided on if I plan to re-debut as a boxer in Baraka Bouts 14 years after my last time in the ring, but it’s not off the table yet!

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? “Why an MBA?” As someone who is switching careers, and quite dramatically, being able to craft a story that fully articulated just how I plan to translate my experience monkeys and apes to a career in business took quite a bit of practice.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? When I chose to major in anthropology as a college freshman, I imagined my future as that of a primatologist conserving endangered monkey and ape populations all over the world. For over a decade I was blessed to be able to follow that passion. However, as my career progressed and my perspective on the world and my place in it evolved, I found myself envisioning a different future: one in business. This shift in focus was largely the product of transitioning to a role in project management for a research center at a zoo. I soon found myself interested in the intersection of nonprofits and business, in particular how business can partner with nonprofits and NGOs to create social value while positively impacting the economy, environment, and global community. With this in mind, I decided to pursue an MBA to help me gain the skills and networks I need to pivot from a career in science to a career helping companies develop socially responsible and financially sustainable business models.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? New York University Stern School of Business and Fordham Gabelli School of Business.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I looked into the typical things: program rankings, job recruitment, and alumni outcomes, as well as talking to current students and alumni. But I also focused the majority of my search on finding schools where I knew I would be a good fit. I was interested in programs that were welcoming to people who are looking to pivot careers. As a result, I investigated schools that didn’t have a completely homogenous student body, but rather a variety of students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. I also looked at the school’s mission statements and how the values they espoused aligned with my own, as well as the values I hope to develop as I move into this next phase of my professional career.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? In 2015, I made the difficult decision to leave my doctoral program in Anthropology, walking away from a career I had spent more than a decade building. To say that it was an easy choice to make or one that I made without looking back would be a lie, as I doubted the decision many times in the subsequent years. However, it was because of walking away from what I thought was my life’s calling that I was able to restart and rebuild. I found a job that allowed me to parlay my skills in research and analysis into nonprofit work. I began to allow myself to explore different possibilities, recognize my strengths, become curious about new directions. As a result, I started to envision a new career path for myself. I learned that not only am I resilient but can creatively adapt to new situations and challenges, skills that I know will serve me well in my future business career.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I hope to be working in either a consulting or internal strategy role in helping companies develop business models and practices that benefit global communities and the environment.