Hannah Ewing-Kally

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Nurse leader with a passion for health system innovation, disruption, and building community.”

Hometown: (City and State) Ashland, Oregon

Fun fact about yourself: I am training for my first Ironman 70.3

Undergraduate School and Degree: (Include Graduate Schools and Degrees If Applicable)

Kenyon College, BA Biochemistry

New York University, BS Nursing

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Detroit Public Schools Community District, Assistant Director Office of School Health and Wellness

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? McKinsey and Company – Seattle, WA

Where will you be working after graduation? McKinsey and Company, Associate

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Foster Consulting Society Co-President

University of Washington Teaching Assistant

Forté Fellow

Consortium Fellow

Thomas R. Coppage Endowed Fund Recipient

Stiefel Fellowship for Entrepreneurial and Philanthropic Leaders Recipient

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of my applied strategy project with Microsoft’s Higher Education team. This project allowed me to leverage my knowledge, expertise, and experience working with a larger urban public school district, alongside my curiosity surrounding startups and entrepreneurship, to tackle real-world problems. Within my team, I challenged myself to take on the quantitative portion and successfully delivered a strong and insightful analysis. I went beyond the requested regional Total Addressable Market (TAM) and built a model that could also provide an estimate of the global TAM. Through this project, I discovered the potential synergy of my nursing background and the skills I was acquiring at Foster, which led me to envision myself as a formidable force in the future. This realization instilled in me the confidence, motivation, and excitement to pursue a curriculum with a strong emphasis on quantitative studies.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of my role as the Assistant Director of the Office of School Health and Wellness for Detroit Public Schools Community District during the COVID-19 pandemic. This position marked several significant milestones in my career: it was my first time managing, my first time living in Detroit, and my first experience navigating a crisis of such magnitude. It required extensive coordination among state and local government agencies, the health department, subject matter experts, and, most importantly, the community. I was able to weave together my experience in public health, community organizing, and registered nursing to successfully coordinate this effort.

Having Deputy Superintendent Alycia Meriweather as a mentor was invaluable. She epitomized how to serve a community and actively listen to achieve a strategic vision. I take immense pride in helping guide the district through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am profoundly grateful to have become part of the fabric of the Detroit community.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Foster School of Business primarily because of its intimate class sizes. Drawing from my experience at Kenyon College, I recognized that I thrive in small classes and intimate seminars. The cohort size at Foster has allowed me to develop meaningful connections with each of my classmates, which is a unique opportunity not necessarily available at other business schools. This close-knit environment fosters collaboration, deeper discussions, and a sense of community that aligns perfectly with my learning style and professional goals.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor was Jennifer Graves. I admired her for the invaluable life lessons she imparted on us about living simply and pursuing a career that we genuinely love. Her honesty, openness, and sharp intellect were qualities I greatly appreciated. Jennifer served as a fantastic role model for women in business, and her invitation for our entire cohort to her home for a barbecue demonstrated her commitment to fostering a sense of community and connection among her students-she is truly exceptional.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course as an MBA was Entrepreneurial Finance with Lance Young. This course stood out to me because it provided an exceptional thought exercise on starting a company, which aligns with my aspirations of entrepreneurship. Through Lance’s teaching, I gained valuable insights into mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity, viewing these aspects of finance in a completely different light. His off-the-cuff teaching style and interactive sessions made the learning experience engaging and impactful. Plus, our memorable catchphrase, “In teeter-totter we trust,” added a touch of humor and camaraderie to the class, making it even more enjoyable.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA tradition at Foster School of Business is the Blue Dot program. This initiative serves as Foster’s support system for partners of MBA students, reflecting the school’s deep commitment to inclusion and community support. The Blue Dot Program showcases Foster’s dedication to nurturing not only the academic and professional growth of its students but also the well-being and integration of their families and partners. This tradition underscores Foster’s holistic approach to education and community building, making it stand out as a supportive and inclusive business school.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Looking back over my MBA experience, if there’s one thing I would do differently, it would be to enroll in the “Problems in Business Finance” course. I heard so many positive reviews about that class, and I regret not taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from it. It seems like it would have provided valuable insights and practical knowledge that could have enhanced my understanding of finance and better prepared me for challenges in the business world. With so many great electives at Foster, it’s easy to experience FOMO (fear Of Missing Out), but I now realize the importance of carefully choosing courses that align with my interests and career goals.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about Foster School of Business is that it’s not a consulting school but rather a tech-focused institution. In reality, while Foster has indeed earned a reputation as a tech-focused business school, it has also grown into a fantastic consulting school. As the Co-President of Foster Consulting Society (FCS), I had the privilege of witnessing and contributing to our school’s evolving legacy in the consulting field. The opportunities and resources available at Foster for consulting preparation and networking have made it clear that our school is well-equipped to prepare students for successful careers in consulting, alongside its strong presence in the tech industry.

 What surprised you the most about business school? What surprised me the most about business school was the people! I was pleasantly surprised by how genuine and diverse the Foster student community is. Before starting, I had concerns that business school might attract a more formal or stiff crowd, but I quickly realized that couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone I met had a unique background and a genuine passion for something beyond just academics or career goals. Whether it was hiking, cooking, or playing an instrument, each person had a hobby they were incredibly passionate about. This authenticity and diversity fostered a welcoming and supportive environment where I was able to make many incredible lifelong friends.

I was also surprised by how many fellow pet parents were in our cohort!

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The MBA classmate I most admire is Grace Dalton. Grace embodies the epitome of discipline both academically and athletically. Her unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect of her life is truly inspiring. Despite her impressive achievements, Grace remains incredibly down-to-earth, approachable, and humble. Her sharp intellect and quick wit never fail to impress me, and her sense of humor brings light to even the most stressful situations. When I think about who I aspire to be, both personally and professionally, I can’t help but look up to Grace.

Moreover, Grace’s supportive nature extends to her friendships, as evidenced by the numerous Strava Kudos she gives to her classmates to cheer them on in their athletic endeavors. I admire her fearlessness and openness to new challenges, such as her readiness to sign up for and conquer a 30K trail race despite being a dedicated CrossFit athlete. Her adventurous spirit and determination serve as a constant source of inspiration for me, motivating me to push beyond my comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. Perhaps one day, you’ll find me joining her in her CrossFit class.

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

1. Become a female founder or support other female entrepreneurs in the founding of their companies: I am deeply committed to empowering women in entrepreneurship and would love to either start my own company or support other women in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams. This aligns with my belief in fostering diversity and inclusion in the business world and creating opportunities for women to thrive as leaders and innovators.

2. Run for office as a member of the US House of Representatives: I am passionate about making a positive impact on society and amplifying the voice of nurses in policy and business.

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

“Hannah is a dynamo for purpose-driven impact in the Foster community! She is an authentic, values-driven, and collaborative leader with genuine compassion for the wellbeing of her peers as well as avid advocate for their learning and growth.

As the Foster MBA Association’s Vice-President for Wellness, Hannah organized a summer training series to offer support in improving student physical health, mental wellbeing, and confidence. This work culminated with a group of 2024 Foster MBAs completing the Volcanic 25k, a trail race on Mt. St. Helens, an active volcano. The group included fellow students who are veterans and others running their first trail race. This year’s group has grown and is targeting the Gorge Waterfalls 30k… and with one Foster MBA competing in the 100k. Hannah’s work supports the community in building not just physical health but also resilience, comradery, and belief that, together, they can do hard things. And it gets them out enjoying the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest!

As, co-president of the Foster MBA Consulting Society and based on her Summer Associate experience at McKinsey, Hannah recently invested the better part of a week with 1st year MBA students interested in consulting careers, helping design and deliver an experience that honed their case interviewing skills, increased their sense of self-efficacy, and prepared them to elevate their impact on the world.

Hannah knows and lives that the Foster MBA is about transformation, not only for one’s own sake but for the empowerment of others, and she works both hard and effectively to help those around her be not only well but also be impactful for themselves and others.”

Daniel J. Turner
Associate Dean, Master’s Programs
Brix Endowed Fellow in Marketing

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