Joel Anifowose

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

“Naija-born, US-raised, husband, father of an energetic son, lover of people and food.”

Hometown: Brockton, MA

Fun Fact About Yourself: My friend and I ran a food truck in Providence, RI, called Radish, that served sandwiches, risotto balls, and empanadas.

Undergraduate School and Major: Brown University – Public Health

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Redgate – Project Associate

What makes Atlanta such a great place to earn an MBA?  From new investments by major tech companies such as Google & Microsoft to increased population growth that has led to real estate investments, Atlanta has so many things working in its favor. This is in addition to the already numerous Fortune 500 HQs located here and major offices for Fortune 1000 companies. These economic factors have attracted people from diverse backgrounds and added to the flavor of the city.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Emory Goizueta’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The IMPACT program, which marries in-classroom knowledge with real-world experience, is an important reason why I chose Goizueta. It was important that my education was not theoretical, but focused on issues in the business world, allowing the students to have an immersive experience.  

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Emory Goizueta? I’m excited to be involved in the next Real Estate Conference effort. Goizueta hosted the Inaugural Emory Real Estate Conference in April 2022, bringing all the top leaders and companies in Atlanta under one roof in addition to Sam Zell of Equity Group Investments. The conference was an opportunity to showcase some of the Goizueta students and Emory’s seriousness about real estate. I believe real estate is an excellent career opportunity with many exciting paths, and I wish more people would explore it.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I helped build the sole LEED Platinum certified building in Lynn, MA, and one of New England’s largest multifamily LEED Platinum projects. It was my firm’s largest completed project and involved using the Infinity System, which panelized load-bearing metal stud framing for the structure, its first for the company.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? The last book I read recently was gifted to me by my MBA Dean called Wait, What? by James E. Ryan, the Dean of Harvard Graduate School of Education. It boils down to the 5 questions you should ask yourself and others regularly — asking these questions helps you live a happier and more successful life. I think the book is useful for all, but more important for prospective MBAs as the start of the MBA journey starts with a question, and the more questions you ask, the more insights you gain, not only about yourself, but the world in general.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Emory Goizueta’s MBA program? Talk to current students and alumni to get different perspectives on the program. By gaining these two perspectives, you will better understand what your two-year experience will be like, in addition to alumni’s reflections (positive or negative) after they have left the program.