Alexis D’souza

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

“I am a growth-oriented professional, deeply passionate about sales and marketing. My commitment lies in making a tangible difference and giving back to society.”

Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Fun fact about yourself: I can dance to music anytime and anywhere, always igniting conversations and bringing a party to life. Also, I love Coca-Cola!

Undergraduate School and Degree: H. R. College of Commerce & Economics – Bachelor of Management Studies

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? ANAROCK – Senior Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? NA

Where will you be working after graduation? Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages – Leadership Trainee

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Before starting my MBA, I dedicated six years to community work, particularly focused on promoting early literacy among underprivileged children in my neighbourhood. Being a good orator and public speaker myself, I strongly believe in exposing youngsters to reading and helping them enhance their pronunciation and voice modulation skills. As part of this effort, I led reading circles for kids.

As a member of the alumni committee elected by my cohort, I took charge of organizing and representing our group at the annual three-day alumni gathering. I also rallied our batch, influencing them to volunteer for cultural events, featuring dance, skits, music performances, and stand-up comedy.

In addition to my role on the alumni committee, my cohort elected me to serve in both the Sales and Marketing Club and the E-commerce Club.

I led my cohort to victory in two intra-IIMA dance competitions, securing the winning position.

The trust and confidence bestowed upon me by my cohort inspired me to go above and beyond in giving back to them.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? It was receiving an entry scholarship from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad fills me with immense pride and honor. I never imagined I would secure admission to IIM A, let alone receive a scholarship. It instilled confidence in me and made me feel deserving. Leaving this institution, I owe much of my enhanced self-belief to the experiences and opportunities provided here.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My most notable professional achievement has been scaling the commercial business during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing revenue setbacks and industry uncertainties, I took the lead in proactively engaging with corporates to address their real estate needs, consequently initiating a new service vertical within the business. Despite the increased responsibilities for both myself and my team, I believed it was crucial for sustaining our business. This initiative resulted in successfully relocating a corporate and providing leasing advice to several others, ultimately achieving a remarkable 400% revenue growth by the end of the year. I believe I showcased excellence that instilled confidence in the organization’s belief in my capability, despite lacking the experience to support it initially. This experience not only brought me immense satisfaction, but also revealed my passion for business development, earning me three promotions within four years, a notable achievement given the typical six-year timeline.

Why did you choose this business school? Perception undergoes a significant shift when you associate with the prestigious IIMA brand. It not only offers the networking opportunities I seek from an MBA, but also facilitates connections with renowned faculty experts in marketing and sales.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Aditya Moses

Professor Moses has a unique teaching approach, encouraging students to think critically rather than providing information or frameworks. While his expertise lies in the Human Resource and Organizational Performance domain, his insights into marketing and consumer behavior have broadened my perspective. He is very approachable and has guided me in navigating career decisions, instilling both confidence and practical wisdom.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Inner Theatre – An Encounter with Self  (ITES)

Among the various subjects such as marketing, finance, and HR that I studied in the initial terms, I was particularly eager about enrolling in a psychology elective during the last term. It was one of the first times I delved into a psychology course, and it proved to be an enlightening experience for me.

The most significant takeaway from this course is the newfound ability to comprehend the factors influencing personalities and behaviours. This journey of self-discovery has equipped me with valuable insights that I believe will greatly aid me as I venture into my leadership journey ahead.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? “Before Time Is On Time And On Time Is Late.”

I come from a family where discipline and punctuality were instilled in us from a young age. However, after eight years in a corporate environment and the onset of COVID-19, the importance of being “on time” for meetings or online calls became somewhat relaxed. Returning to an MBA School like IIM A served as a reminder of the significance of discipline and time management. Both professors and administrative staff at the institute highly valued punctuality, setting a standard for discipline not only at classes but also at all events, regardless of size.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? As someone from the Real Estate industry, I aimed to establish a Real Estate Special Interest Group (SIG) to introduce my cohort to career opportunities in this field, which is not commonly explored among batch profiles. Despite drafting an initial charter, I was unable to bring this initiative to fruition. Looking back, I realise it is not always about the grades and given another opportunity, I would prioritise advancing this initiative.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The notion that getting an admit to IIM A is the toughest part of the journey was shattered for me when I began my MBA journey here. It’s the academic rigour and daily challenges that truly initiate transformation and learning. The institute offers a humbling experience that, despite its challenges, is immensely gratifying.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? The cafe culture is vibrant here! Student-friendly cafes can be found at nearly every corner of the town. I’ve enjoyed spending time reading with a cup of coffee and exploring the diverse cafes with their stylish interiors. It’s something I’ll truly miss about the town where my business school is located.

What surprised you the most about business school? The approachability and humility of the faculty at IIM A.

Despite their esteemed positions and academic accolades, they readily engage with students, fostering an environment of open dialogue and mutual respect. Their humility shines through in their willingness to listen, offer guidance, and support students’ academic and personal growth.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Ambika Nautiyal – Ambika is a remarkable individual whom I’ve observed skilfully balancing academics, sports, extracurricular activities, and her responsibilities as a mother. Previously serving as a medical officer in the Indian Navy, she transitioned her career to embrace a business development and sales role before pursuing her MBA. Her exceptional ability to excel in various aspects of her life is truly inspiring.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. My short-term goal is to head a substantial sales team and enhance revenue generation within a region for a prominent FMCG corporation. I wish to eventually drive the business revenue and growth at a national scale.

2. I aspire to spearhead community-driven initiatives and oversee the business’s societal impact, focusing on giving back to society.

What made Alexis such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Alexis was in three of my courses during her MBA and I have had multiple interactions with her outside the classroom. Alexis was an exceptional student in my MBA program who consistently impressed me with her intellectual curiosity and collaborative spirit. She asked questions, was critical, and was never afraid to challenge herself and others.

What stands out the most about Alexis is her enthusiasm for learning and her discernment ability. I teach a heavily quantitative course; the quantitative nature of the course did not deter Alexis. She embraced the challenge and excelled, constantly seeking further understanding through insightful questions. I always found her diligent in class. However, what made her invaluable in class was her perspective on things. The extraordinary experience that she brought to the class not only enriched my case discussions but also helped her peers see the same issue in a different light. For example, when discussing about development of organizational culture, Alexis brought in the idea of how does a sole proprietor firm actually develop culture – which many of her peers had not previously experienced.

However, an MBA is more than just learning about things from faculty members such as myself. It is also about developing as a person. I have seen Alexis grow in confidence during her time here. I have seen her become a leader, mentor and friend to her peers. Throughout her time here, Alexis’s warmth and dedication have not only earned her the respect of her peers but also solidified my belief that she will continue to impress in the future.

There are times in an academic’s career where his intuition says this student is going to make me proud. For me over the years there have been a few such students and I would add Alexis to that shortlist as well.”

Professor Aditya Christopher Moses
Assistant Professor of Human Resources Management

DON’T MISS: THE 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST MBAs: CLASS OF 2024