Mary Paul Msemwa

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“A mother of two boys who is passionate about sustainability and social impact.”

Hometown: Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Fun Fact About Yourself: I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2018, which may be the most challenging and most rewarding activity I have ever done in my life. Although I only made it to the second highest point and had to be evacuated due to altitude sickness, I learned a valuable lesson: Endurance and perseverance gets people to the top! Also, I started an organic skin care business during the COVID pandemic.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Middlesex University (U.K.), BA in Business Economics

University of Exeter (U.K.), MSc., international management; specialized in marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Embassy in Tanzania, U.S. Commercial Service, Senior Commercial Specialist

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? In addition to having top faculty, UNC Kenan-Flagler has a longstanding tradition of producing leaders that embrace sustainable business practices. I am passionate about sustainability and social impact and was attracted to Stacia L Wood Social Impact Summer Grants (SISG) program. SISG provides financial support to MBA students who take qualified positions to apply business principles to raise awareness on sustainability in organizations that could not otherwise afford to hire an MBA intern. As an international student, securing an internship could be challenging but knowing that there is funding available will help me cast my net wider when I am applying as I will not be worried about the financial burden. I was also really attracted to the school’s efforts to embrace diversity. I believe there is a lot to learn from being surrounded by a body of diverse students. This year, we have surpassed the number ratio of admitted women from previous years. It just shows the amount of work that the school is doing to bring about greater inclusion.

What has been your first impression of the Kenan-Flagler MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Kenan-Flagler story so far. They really embrace the spirit of the “Carolina Way.” Everyone I have met has shown genuine interest in me and offered to assist me, whether by giving their time out of their busy schedule or connecting me to someone who can assist or a resource I can use. I already feel like I belong here. UNC MBA students are highly motivated high achievers but also know how to have a great time.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagler? I am really looking forward to taking a Global Immersion Elective. I think it will be interesting to engage with business leaders to learn about how to do business in their respective countries while experiencing different cultures and local communities in those countries.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Spearheaded the first-ever U.S.-Tanzania Business Dialogue to resolve issues affecting U.S. businesses in Tanzania resulting in repayment of $8.7 million of outstanding tax refunds. This event brought together high-level government officials from both governments and American business in Tanzania.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? Muhammad Yunus’ book Banker to the Poor. I found it to be very inspirational. He showed that simple creative financial solutions can help in ending domestic poverty and empowering women’s rights. Through financial empowerment women can lift themselves and their families out of poverty because the money entering a household through a woman improves the well-being of the entire family.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Collaborating with peers. We have impressive peers who have done outstanding work before joining the program. I hope to learn so much from them and learn about cutting-edge business concepts from the faculty, which will help me realize my goal of helping businesses solve problems creatively and in a sustainable way. Also, putting myself out there to any opportunities and experiences that will make me step out of my comfort zone so that I make the most of my time at UNC. This will help me to grow personally and professionally.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program? Tell an authentic story about yourself. The diverse background of the MBA candidates is what makes our MBA program such a great experience. Try to think about your past experiences and how those experiences have shaped you to be the person you are today and how you can contribute to the learning experience of your peers once admitted. Every story counts! Also, connect with the school, students, and alumni. They have a wealth of information to share, and it will be a great opportunity for you to learn about the school and what you can get out of it.

DON’T MISS: MEET UNC KENAN-FLAGLER’S MBA CLASS OF 2024