Meet the MBA Class of 2022: Taanya Khare, University of Oxford (Saïd)

Taanya Khare

University of Oxford, Saïd Business School

“A consultant and writer, inspired to leave the world better than I found it.”

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have travelled to more than 15 countries and lived in 4. Next trip: France hopefully!

Undergraduate School and Major: B.Sc. Statistics, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai and M.Sc. Economics, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Sattva Media and Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Senior Consultant

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Oxford Saïd’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The key motivation for choosing Oxford was its focus on impact-driven careers and the network that it provides to explore the European impact investing industry. I also loved the course curriculum including programs like GOTO and Entrepreneurial Project that help students find solutions to global problems. My team is exploring Climate Reset as part of our GOTO project, where we are looking at using a systems thinking approach to the agriculture value chain of Mexico. Coming from the impact sector, I had heard about these concepts and the tools provided by the school will give me more confidence to use them in practice.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? It is definitely cycling in sub-zero temperatures by the Thames canal looking at the swans and ducks. Being a Harry Potter fan, the other highlight for me has been walking through the filming locations like the Great Hall at Christ Church College and studying at the Bodleian Libraries.

Oxford is known as a place where world collides, be it in the classroom or the dining hall. What has been the most interesting interaction you’ve had so far as an Oxford MBA student? Right now, I am working in a team with a visiting health scientist from Harvard, have housemates studying medieval history and neuroscience, and study alongside classmates who are Olympic rowers. The variety of conversations always amazes me and makes me realize the sheer value of this experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One achievement that makes me proud was a COVID-19 project with my past employer where I was instrumental in driving corporate funds for setting up a testing laboratory in Ladakh, a landlocked state in India. In just 2 months, the lab aided the government to conduct at least 20-30 tests/day for a population of around 300,000 people and reduce their dependence on other states. The funds were further utilized to meet the immediate needs of PPE kits for the frontline workers.

It was not the biggest project that I have handled, but it required me to step out of my defined role and deliver in a dynamic and unstructured environment in the middle of a nation-wide lockdown. As part of this project, I conducted due diligence on the vendor, negotiated costs, and engaged with the decision-makers. This had to be done while circumventing the unstructured PPE market, conducting virtual discussions, and ensuring adherence to the healthcare guidelines.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I had planned this year to be a year of exploration and learning, and I continue to do so with absolute rigor. I signed up for a bunch of co-curricular activities like the Impact Lab and the Impact Finance Lab, along with participating in business competitions and co-chairing the Social Impact Oxford Business Network. I have also recently joined the Effective Altruism society that was initiated in Oxford. Juggling this with the other social and academic commitments requires discipline and prioritization, which is what I am extremely proud about.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I did apply to INSEAD and London Business School, but the Oxford MBA was my first choice owing to its focus on impact.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? Through the different experiences shared over my time here, I have realized the importance of authenticity and staying true to my goals. Being surrounded by over-achievers, you often get inspired but it is important to understand that every person is unique, and one must not get swayed by the herd mentality. Further, the MBA has given me a vital perspective to build my brand, being more comfortable about sharing my thoughts, validating my ideas and creating a foundation towards building my long-term career.

DON’T MISS: MEET OXFORD SAÏD’S MBA CLASS OF 2022

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