Dumi Mabhena

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“I am an able leader with a passion for building impactful things.”

Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe

Fun fact about yourself: I am a children’s book author. I wrote a children’s book series spotlighting real Zimbabwean figures. The first book, “Tuku’s Dream,” shares musician Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi’s inspirational path to music. African stories in children’s literature often feature animals over people and my goal was twofold. First, I wanted to affirm, inform and inspire readers while encouraging them to find and empower other voices, as Tuku did. Second, I wanted to provide Zimbabwean and African children a narrative where they feel represented.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Stirling, Scotland – Business Studies

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?

• Company: Empowered Homes
• Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Role: Sales lead of a Stanford GSB incubated tech startup focused on providing solar renewable energy for residential homes in South Africa.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023?

• Company: Shanda Studio
• Location: Washington D.C., USA
• About: Our mission is to enable voices by simplifying the podcasting process, making it intuitive and accessible to everyone, especially newcomers. We aim to eliminate the complexities of traditional audio editing and provide an affordable, user-friendly solution.
• Role: Cofounder

Where will you be working after graduation?

• Company: Shanda Studio
• Location: Washington D.C., USA
• Role: Cofounder

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• MBA Startup Fellow
• MBA Leadership Fellow
• Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance Co-President
• Georgetown Africa Business Alliance Co-Founder & Co-President
• 2023 Georgetown Entrepreneurship Rocket Pitch Winner
• 2023 Georgetown Entrepreneurship Bark Tank Finalist
• Georgetown Ventures Launchpad Program
• Georgetown Ventures Venture Accelerator Program
• MBA DEI Board
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Grant Recipient
• Georgetown Africa Business Conference 2023 Marketing VP
• Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club Member
• Black MBA Association Member

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I co-founded the first Africa Business Club at Georgetown called the Africa Business Alliance. When I arrived at the McDonough School of Business. I found that beyond an annual conference, there was no student-run group facilitating initiatives focused on business in Africa. As Co-president, I set out to build community through social and cultural events; foster collaboration within McDonough and the broader Georgetown community; strengthen alumni bonds; explore culture through treks and the Africa Business Conference; assist faculty with case content; provide career opportunities with multinational African companies; and increase African student admissions and support. I’m proud that we created an organization around these objectives to drive engagement with African business at Georgetown.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of shepherding three startups from inception to scale, across three distinct countries. This journey has been immensely rewarding, not because of the individual successes, but for the cumulative lessons and growth it has facilitated. Firstly, it ignited my entrepreneurial spirit. I actively participated in shaping the vision and direction of each venture, nurturing innovative ideas and contributing my creativity to bring them to life. Secondly, this experience honed my resilience and adaptability. Launching startups is inherently challenging, and navigating the complexities of each country’s business landscape demanded a high degree of flexibility and perseverance.

Beyond these individual skills, working across diverse cultural contexts broadened my perspective and understanding of the global marketplace. Witnessing the growth of these startups and the positive impact they made, regardless of location, solidified my belief in the power of collective effort and the importance of perseverance in achieving meaningful goals. Therefore, while each startup itself holds its own significance, it is the cumulative experience that I am most proud of. These three journeys have equipped me with invaluable skills, broadened my horizons, and instilled a deep sense of purpose in my work.

Why did you choose this business school? Georgetown’s global brand and Jesuit values of being “men and women for others” resonated deeply with the leader I strive to become. The program’s focus on using one’s talents compassionately matches my motivation to positively impact our interconnected world.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Melissa Bradley’s authentic passion for empowering underserved entrepreneurs made her my favorite professor. Her decades of experience running venture funds to assist African American founders gave unparalleled insights. Her tireless investment in eradicating economic inequalities drove thought-provoking discussions on the complex balances between profit and social impact.

Most of all, her genuine desire to broaden access and participation in the innovation economy inspired me to rethink my assumptions. Witnessing Professor Bradley lead with both compassion and business acumen showed me the multidimensional leadership required to create equitable opportunities in entrepreneurship. Her infectious energy and refreshing perspectives shaped me as much as any business lessons.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite MBA course was Product Development and AI taught by Professor Dodelin. This course exposed me to design thinking,  expert product managers through visits, and tools and methods for building, launching, and scaling a tech product. It also gave me a comprehensive overview of product development. I thoroughly enjoyed learning a practical framework I can apply to bring new products to market.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? One of my favorite traditions at Georgetown McDonough School of Business is “KEGS,” a weekly social event specifically for graduate students. This gathering reflects the school’s core values of diversity and community engagement in several ways. Held every Thursday, KEGS provided a platform for students to connect and build relationships outside the classroom. The rotating host system, where different clubs or affinity groups took turns organizing the event, showcased the vibrant tapestry of student organizations and encouraged cross-cultural interaction.

In our instance, the Africa Business Alliance hosted the first KEGS of the year, featuring delicious African cuisine, engaging music, and refreshing beverages. This epitomized the school’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and celebrating the diverse experiences of its student body. Overall, KEGS went beyond mere entertainment, fostering a sense of community and belonging while celebrating the rich cultural fabric of Georgetown McDonough.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would Invest more time in personal relationships. Building a startup whilst studying simultaneously is hard. At times, I felt that I had to make sacrifices socially in order to make progress. Even though I have gained many new friends, if I could do it all over again, I would be more intentional about forming more deep and meaningful friendships with people in my program that I admire.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? What I loved most was how D.C. fostered an accessible, vibrant international community. The diversity of perspectives enriched everything about my experience here. Georgetown’s location at the heart of it empowered me to establish bonds across cultures that will stay with me long after graduation.

What surprised you the most about business school? My biggest surprise about business school was the incredible level of engagement from our alumni. We often think of business school as a two-year journey, but I was amazed by the number of graduates who remain connected and actively give back to the Georgetown community. This involvement wasn’t just symbolic. I personally benefited from their generosity through funding grants and pitch competitions, which provided crucial resources for my own endeavors. Beyond financial support, alumni also contributed their time and expertise by teaching classes and sharing their experiences as guest speakers.

Witnessing this level of dedication from our alumni network was truly inspiring. It instilled in me a strong sense of community and a desire to give back in the same way when I become an alumna myself. Their commitment has left a lasting impression on me and serves as a reminder of the importance of staying connected and supporting future generations.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Earning an MBA is about more than just academics; it’s about pursuing your dream career, engaging with the community, and expanding your horizons through global experiences. Among my classmates, Kilandra Bass stands out as someone who truly embodied the full MBA experience with authenticity and purpose. Not only did she co-lead the Black MBA Association, but she also actively served as the Vice President of Marketing & Communication for the Georgetown Retail & Luxury Association. Her thirst for knowledge extended beyond the classroom, as evidenced by her internship as a product manager at Nike and her exploration of the investment world through a fellowship with InSITE.

Kilandra’s commitment to personal growth wasn’t limited to professional pursuits. Her travels to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Vietnam, and Colombia demonstrate her desire to broaden her worldview and engage with diverse cultures. Beyond her impressive accomplishments, Kilandra is admired by her peers for her positive impact and genuine personality. It’s clear that she leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets. As she embarks on the next chapter of her journey, I have no doubt she will continue to achieve great things. She is an inspiration to all who know her, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her.

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

1) Build Shanda Studio into a global brand.

2) Start a nonprofit in Zimbabwe that equips young people with skills for the tech and creative industries.

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

“The headline of Dumi’s LinkedIn profile captures him well — Optimism | Entrepreneurship | Creativity | Impact.”

Dumi is a positive, polite, engaging, cheerful soul. He’s also grateful to the Georgetown community – especially the entrepreneurship ecosystem here – and humble about his various wins and achievements. He’s clearly an entrepreneur, having launched a startup “Shanda” that helps podcasters easily edit their content and having served as co-founder and co-president of the Georgetown Africa Business Alliance. He’s also taken part in the Georgetown Ventures Launchpad Program and Venture Accelerator Program.

Dumi is a leader. He’s a Georgetown MBA Startup Fellow and MBA Leadership Fellow. Given his background in media, he served as co-president of the MBA chapter of Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance. His various “co-” leadership roles speak to his ability to collaborate, cooperate, and contribute to positive outcomes and meaningful impact. He’s also used creativity in his various pitch competitions (winning the 2023 Georgetown Entrepreneurship Rocket Pitch and being a finalist in the 2023 Georgetown Entrepreneurship Bark Tank Competition).

In addition to being a visionary and competent leader, he is an active member when not leading the show. He offers his insights and honest points of view as a member of the Georgetown MBA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Board, and is always a friendly face and contributing voice at Georgetown MBA Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club and Georgetown Black MBA Association meetings and events.

I recently attended a lunch with Georgetown faculty and staff, distinguished alumni and donors, and undergraduate and graduate students. While many were eager to meet the founder who had just sold his business or the author who had just published a book, Dumi was making a point to meet the youngest student in the room, shaking his hand and welcoming him to the event. Dumi embodies “people for others” that animates the spirit of Georgetown and our Jesuit values that promotes doing well while doing good.

I recommend Dumi highly on all fronts.”

Eric Young
Assistant Dean
McDonough Career Center

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