Loqman Adnane

University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business

“A social entrepreneur dedicated to building a sustainable future for humanity through innovation and goodwill.”

Hometown: Warminster, PA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love 3D designing my own gizmos and art on Blender and printing them on my 3D Printer.

Undergraduate School and Major: Emory University, Biology Major/Arabic Minor

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: 10Power, Social Media Manager and Webmaster

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? Three things were equally influential in my decision to attend Notre Dame’s MBA program: the focus on values, the IDEA center, and the alumni network. The three are essential to my success as a social entrepreneur. The focus on values will help me build a corporate culture that empowers my employees to strive for excellence in and out of the workplace, while the prospective business itself exclusively deals in ethical practices. Notre Dame’s IDEA center will equip me with all the necessary tools to succeed when embarking on my entrepreneurial journey. Finally, the strength of the alumni network will ensure that I find allies and guidance in any industry I seek to transform.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates and why? My MBA class can best be described as nurturing. It truly warms my heart that so many of my peers have offered me a helping hand without me asking for it.

What club or activity excites you most at this school? I am truly excited to get involved at the IDEA center. There, I hope to explore the depths of my creativity and build a network to solve one of our time’s most pressing issues: the climate crisis.

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 want to lead the renewable energy industry into a new age of innovation, and I believe that Mendoza has all of the resources and values to prepare me for the role I am pursuing. In addition to the resources I mentioned before, I have learned so much from my professors and recognize I have so much more to gain from them. This is especially true for me as an individual coming from a biology background looking to tackle the world of business.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The biggest accomplishment of my career occurred during my tenure with Calabash Water LLC. Our startup used profits from water bottle sales to fund sustainable clean water projects in Africa. You could probably imagine my excitement when our first project was completed. It was certainly an emotional moment when we succeeded in financing the construction of a clean water well supporting over 600 people in Uganda.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Over the past two years, I’ve worked tirelessly to gain the necessary skills to develop a solar utility company in Algeria. I researched the topic extensively, interned for a certified Benefit Corporation specializing in solar energy, made trips to the Algerian consulate in New York City, prepared a business plan for the prospective enterprise, and participated in the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge. I initially planned on pitching my startup idea to the National Youth Employment Agency (ANSEJ) in Algeria to obtain their coaching and financial assistance. However, a director from the National Agency of Development Investment (ANDI) offered me a superior alternative and advised me to obtain an MBA prior to requesting an audience with the Algerian Minister of Energy.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? The most challenging question I received was certainly the case question Debby Herczeg asked me. I believe she asked something along the lines of this: “If you were to open a restaurant in Philadelphia what are some factors that you would consider in your decision?” It was the first time I had ever heard a question of the sort. I remember somehow keeping my nerves and answering the question the best I could. I immediately called my friend, a Goizueta graduate, to review the question and practice other case questions in the event I came across another. He was quite impressed with my response to the question which gave me enough reassurance to sleep soundly that night.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I researched MBA programs that would not only help me create a successful business, but also in creating one that will permanently stand as a force for good and positive change. If the school convinced me it had the tools to prepare me for that undertaking, I added it to my application roster.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? I believe my defining moment was when I finally decided to pursue my dream of starting a renewable energy utility company. The version of myself that first thought of the idea would have never guessed I’d be here today. Nevertheless, I held onto my vision tightly and actively searched for my next step in realizing my aspirations. I have learned so much from each incremental stage in this process and await what’s next with great anticipation.

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from them? My favorite company is easily SpaceX. I believe we too often forget just how much we are capable of and this unintentional underestimation of our true potentials can keep us from growing into our best selves. SpaceX serves as a shining beacon reminding all of us to dream big and shoot for the stars (literally).

DON’T MISS: MEET NOTRE DAME MENDOA’S CLASS OF 2022