Meet The MBA Class of 2022: Mike Pukala, Duke University (Fuqua)

Mike Pukala

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“Curious learner who loves working in teams to create positive change!”

Hometown: Elmhurst, Illinois

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have two kids who were born on the same day, but two years apart. One less date to remember!

Undergraduate School and Major: Northwestern University, Biomedical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Cru Global, International Team Leader

The MBA program is renowned for its “Team Fuqua” culture, which is predicated on six paired principles: Authentic Engagement, Supportive Ambition, Collective Diversity, Impactful Stewardship, Loyal Community, and Uncompromising Integrity. Which of these resonates most with you – and what does that principle demand of you as a Fuqua MBA? Supportive Ambition! I love how Team Fuqua fosters cooperation and collaboration, rather than competition. I am a big believer in the power of teams, and Supportive Ambition pushes me to align my goals with my team’s goals.

Any sense of accomplishment I’ve experienced in my career has been because I was surrounded by excellent people. With Supportive Ambition, my Fuqua teammates and I get to celebrate with each other in our successes but also encourage each other when things are hard. It demands that I help classmates with interview prep, homework or challenges in their personal lives, even if that means I have to put aside my own priorities for a time. It is rewarding when I realize that I am a part of something bigger than myself.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the school’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Without a doubt, it was the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) and all of its programming. CASE has incredible resources that align with my long-term career goals. I will have an opportunity to learn from incredible guest speakers, network with alumni and learn from unique experiences outside of the classroom. I am excited to jump in.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates and why? People-focused. My classmates, especially my learning team, are incredibly competent and high-achieving individuals. But they also care about people beyond the classroom. My learning team started off by asking each other what each member wants to accomplish in their MBA and how the rest of the team can help. Whether it is second years or my classmates, everyone has prioritized me by giving their time and advice, even amid their busy schedules.

What club or activity excites you most at this school? The Impact Investing practicum sounds fascinating. If I were accepted, I would work on a group to consult for an impact investing firm. I would learn how companies balance making an impact with making a profit. And I would have hands-on, real-life experience outside of the classroom, which would be so beneficial.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I was tasked to turn around a failing branch in the Middle East with 12 direct reports. Our goal was to provide upward mobility for people in impoverished communities through our student mentorship and educational program. I helped nurture a healthy team culture while focusing on our strategic growth initiative. By the end of my time, we saw double-digit growth in student engagement and student leadership, two of our main KPIs. It was incredibly satisfying seeing many of these students move on to successful careers after graduation and become change agents in their communities.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  My international experience has been such an incredible complement to the quantitative and analytical skills I had developed while studying engineering. However, these only represented raw tools. I wanted to find a network and develop tactical skills at a business school that not only has a proud tradition of interdisciplinary business education, but also a significant commitment to social justice. I knew that would help me get to my end goal of being a social entrepreneur.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Kellogg, Haas, Ross, Darden, Kelley

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? “What are your short-term goals after business school?” I had a lot of trouble with that question because there are so many great routes leading to my long-term goal of becoming a social entrepreneur. I realize there is so much I do not know. And I realize there are so many skills I still need to develop. It’s hard for me to know what to prioritize immediately after graduation. I expect to learn a great deal from my classmates as well as Fuqua’s programming.

What have you been doing to prepare yourself for business school? Two things: checking off to-dos and introspection. With a family, I have little margin in my schedule. So, I tried doing as much as I could over the summer for classes, exemption exams, and general to-dos that Fuqua gave us. Additionally, I continuously received the advice to be introspective before heading into school. I had to evaluate my strengths that I could bring to my learning team and my future employer. And I had to evaluate what I hoped to gain from my MBA experience as well as what I would give to the program.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? It is so hard for me to think of a single defining moment. I have been shaped over time by several events. But one that sticks out is when I visited a counselor’s office who worked with traumatized refugee children. It was likely the most humbling experience of my life. I colored animals with the kids and listened to the counselor as he described each of the kids’ experiences due to war and displacement. Through that experience, I learned how lucky I was not to have lived through traumatizing circumstances. I was humbled by the privilege, opportunity, and safety I have experienced in my life. I only hope to use these privileges for good.

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from them? There are so many companies that I am really interested in. I will give a shout out to a friend’s company: the Aruna Project. The company employs formerly sex-trafficked women while providing them counseling, housing, community, and a living wage. Each employee creates hand-made athleisure products. From the Aruna Project, I’ve learned how big of a difference sustainable businesses can make on societal problems. Although there is incredible complexity with social entrepreneurship, it is worth diving into!

DON’T MISS: Meet Duke Fuqua’s MBA Class of 2022

 

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