Meet the MBA Class of 2024: Maureen Lungahi Voreza, University of Rochester (Simon)

Maureen Lungahi Voreza

University of Rochester, Simon Business School

“I’m a wife and mom of two, with professional experience in non-profit, corporate, and small business.”

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love gardening and drawing cartoons. In my free time, I animate and care for my houseplants.

Undergraduate School and Major: Kenyatta University – BA in Sociology and Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Communications Officer – Jitokeze Wamama Wafrika

Rochester Simon is known for being “unabashedly analytical.” Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How do you intend to leverage this approach as a student and professional? Simon’s analytical program is appealing to me because I’m pivoting from a non-quant background into a STEM field. Simon’s emphasis on data and quantitative analysis will equip me with the right skills I need to excel in my career.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Rochester Simon’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I fell in love with Simon because its curriculum offers the option for STEM designation, and this is important to me because I would like to pivot from a non-quant background into a STEM field.

From conversations that I’ve had with current students and alumni, I was amazed at how close-knit and supportive the Simon community is—and it is a community where everyone wants to see everyone else succeed. The camaraderie at Simon is something that I am deeply grateful for and will pay forward.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Rochester Simon? My dream is to work as a pricing expert in the healthcare industry, so naturally I gravitate towards Simon’s Pricing and Health Sciences Clubs.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Due to my ability to easily adapt to different environments, I’ve been fortunate enough to gain professional experience in nonprofit, corporate, and small business. The biggest accomplishment in my career would be in my experience as a small business owner where, despite numerous challenges, I was able to build a sustainable and profitable enterprise.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I would highly recommend the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book helps readers create effective systems by making small changes in their daily routine. These small steps compound into remarkable results towards any goal you choose to pursue, whether it be fitness, academics, or even playing an instrument.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I believe my MBA experience will be a delicate balance between academics, networking, and career building.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Simon’s MBA program? I would advise applicants to take time to research Simon’s MBA program by talking to current students and alumni, as this will provide perspective into the culture at Simon. As well, it would be of great value for prospective students to introspect and craft their story to be as compelling as possible. Most importantly, have fun! The MBA journey is a marathon and not a sprint. Trust and enjoy the process.

DON’T MISS: MEET ROCHESTER SIMON’S MBA CLASS OF 2024

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