Ashton Megli

Washington University in St Louis, Olin Business School

“I am a curious connector of ideas, aiming to influence change through socially impactful leadership.”

Hometown: Mansfield, TX

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve gone on two cross-country road trips. I love to explore the roads less traveled.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Yale University, BA in Psychology

Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis, Master of Social Work

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Workforce Financial Stability Initiative at WashU’s Social Policy Institute, Research Assistant

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? I was really impressed by Olin’s values and mission to create leaders who will change the world, for good. This was important to me as I wanted coursework that wouldn’t shy away from difficult challenges and questions of ethic. The Global Immersion experience and Olin’s international connections were also very appealing, as I aim to have a global perspective in my work.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates and why? Enthusiasm! I’ve been amazed by everyone’s engagement and commitment to get know each other, even virtually during a pandemic. There are so many different ideas and perspectives that will make for a valuable lifetime network.

What club or activity excites you most at this school? There are numerous opportunities—whether through the Center for Experiential Learning, Taylor Community Consulting or student organizations—to gain real-world business experience while impacting the local St. Louis Community and partnering with the region’s innovative new ventures and small businesses.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishments have been the continual process of growing my personal talents and skills. I unabashedly follow my passions.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Until recently, I had never imagined I would be pursuing an MBA. Over the past year I realized I wanted to round out my graduate studies in social work with a strong understanding of numbers and the financial and economic implications behind policy changes. I’m interested in the capability of entrepreneurship and innovation to drive social impact. As a Buder Scholar at the Brown School of Social Work, I am also committed to impacting change in Indian Country and with Indigenous populations, especially in community development and wealth building.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? One of the more challenging questions was about my views of current events, and where I think the future of business is headed. However, this question gave me an opportunity to shine and discuss my views on the matter.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I compared opportunities for concentration and specialization, and looked for evidence of diverse and well-grounded coursework and careers. Meeting with current MBA students was also helpful.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? This summer I completed a social work practicum with the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I really enjoyed connecting with ventures in St. Louis and seeing their potential for impact and change. This solidified my desire to learn more about the private sector and feel confident about my choice to go to business school.

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from them? I really like Ben and Jerry’s! Not only for their delicious, quality ice cream flavors, but also the company’s use of their platform to speak out on social issues, including the Close the Workhouse campaign in St. Louis. They are an example that one shouldn’t need to sacrifice their values in order to succeed.

DON’T MISS: MEET WASHINGTON OLIN’S MBA CLASS OF 2022