Lana Harfouche

New York University, Stern School of Business

“World traveler with a Big Apple dream!”

Hometown: Chandler, AZ

Fun Fact About Yourself: I come from a Lebanese royal bloodline

Undergraduate School and Major: Arizona State University. I double majored in Supply Chain Management and Global Studies and minored in International Business and Women Studies.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Boeing, Supply Chain Strategy

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? NYC is one of my favorite cities, and the thought of living in the epicenter of corporate headquarters, diverse cultures, and the best food scene excites me! NYC exposes you to so many careers; it is the perfect place to explore what you want to do and learn what is out there. Being able to visit companies, network with like-minded peers, and have industry leaders a stone throw away will be a great learning enhancement.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I really liked how NYU Stern has a focus on experiential learning through Stern Solutions projects with actual companies. Being able to learn through real-world experience is really the best way, and being surrounded by many industries in NYC, I really look forward to using my new skills in real situations.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? It’s hard to pick just one but the “Doing Business In” courses are really intriguing, like a mini study abroad! I would love to partake in the Italy course, where we visit luxury companies in Milan after learning about them in the NYC classroom.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? EQ to me is about being self-aware — knowing how you feel and how others feel around you. I have seen the value of EQ when leading multiple cross-functional teams, and needing to understand everyone’s diverse perspectives.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment was completing Boeing’s robust two-year rotation program during Covid — one of aerospace’s most challenging times.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? After my rotation program, I found it to be the perfect time in my career to make a switch.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I recently watched King Richard on a flight and I really loved it. It showed how constant determination will lead you to fulfilling any dream, no matter how unlikely it may seem. I think prospective MBAs need to have a dream within themselves that they want to go after, and not be thrown off by any obstacles that come their way.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, Columbia, Ross, LBS, Harvard, and Berkeley.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? Really understand your story, and what makes you truly want an MBA, and how NYU Stern specifically can make that happen! Also, the people at Stern really set themselves apart, so have fun with your interviews and whomever you talk to. Just be yourself!

DON’T MISS: MEET NYU STERN’S MBA CLASS OF 2024