Sonia Kuguru

London Business School

“A singing, farming, lover of Jesus and good wine passionate about African livelihoods and outcomes.”

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have eight siblings!

Undergraduate School and Major: BA in Politics, International Affairs and Religion; Wake Forest University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Associate and Climate Lead, 60 Decibels

What makes London such a great place to earn an MBA degree? I chose London for three reasons: diversity, academic excellence and rigor, and London!

London Business School is one of the most culturally and professionally diverse MBA programs in the world. How do you see these global perspectives enhancing the value of your business education over the next two years? In the few days, I have spent with my classmates from Chile, Namibia, Singapore, Russia, and elsewhere, I can see how the experiences and backgrounds of my peers will enrich and colour my education. From their opinions on the ongoing pandemic, to seeing how they think through problems big and small, to hearing what matters most to them, I am humbled by how small my own story is, and am excited to benefit from their insights beyond my two years at LBS.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of London Business School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? LBS combines fundamental courses (for the first half of the first year) with flexibility. I wanted enough structure to ensure that I leave an MBA programme with key competencies, but the freedom to develop my academic experience that mirrors my interests and needs.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at London Business School? There are many, but I must admit that I have been particularly excited about LBS’s famous Snow Club Ski Trek. Easily the most coveted ticket at LBS-hoping this shout-out earns me one!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far. While at 60 Decibels, I heard from and worked with farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs who inspired me to lead on the development of a tool to measure their readiness for and resilience against climate change and its impacts on them. The 60 Decibels Climate Resilience Tool is the lightest and most comprehensive tool in the impact investing and management sector to help farmers across multiple value chains understand their climate risks and identify areas to enhance their resilience.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? In a year defined, for me, by loss and uncertainty, I learned to be fearless. It’s true –life is too short.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I’m using these two years to gain more confidence and clarity, and to explore the next steps of my career. After graduation, I’m considering roles within the finance and technology sectors, which allow me to pursue my core motivator in social and economic impact.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? In addition to London Business School, I applied to Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Stanford Graduate School of Business.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into London Business School’s MBA program? A successful application is an authentic one – do what you do best, and do it well. Also, start early.

DON’T MISS: MEET LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2023