Saamia Noorali

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“Compassionate with a will to create and drive to attain knowledge to benefit the collective.”

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan

Fun fact about yourself: Before coming to college, I had never lived in any one country for more than three years.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

University of Virginia – B.A. in Anthropology

Duke University – M.A. in Political Science

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? SGN, LLC – Strategic Advisor

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? McKinsey Houston

Where will you be working after graduation? McKinsey Houston

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Middle East and Islamic Student Association: (MEISA) President

Darden Community Public Service Fellow: An award granted to six second-years who share a commitment to public service

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of being the president of the Middle East and Islamic Student Organization (MEISA). MEISA has been around since 2012, but has only played an active role within the broader Darden community this year. We hosted five Darden-wide events this year, from professional workshops to a religious diversity panel to a 100-person Ramadan dinner. MEISA members represent such a small but significant part of the Darden community. I have found it deeply meaningful to represent them and help expand my classmates’ perspectives on Islam and the Middle East.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I was part of a five-person secret operation, greenlighted by the White House, to reunify Yazidi women from Iraq with their children in Syria. The Yazidi women had these children while sexually enslaved and raped by their ISIS captors. Once freed, the Yazidi women were re-admitted to their communities on the condition that they leave their ISIS-fathered children behind. However, within weeks, some of these young women desperately sought to be reunited with their babies and toddlers. I worked alongside Dr. Neman Ghafouri, an Iraqi-Swedish cardiothoracic surgeon and renowned humanitarian, to navigate the social, political, and cultural barriers that stood between the Yazidi women and their children. It took two years, but we successfully completed the mission in March 2021. Today, these women and children are united and living safely in a Western country. Nothing makes me prouder than to have been a part of their reunification.

Why did you choose this business school? Darden is one of the best programs for career transitioners. As someone with a “non-traditional” background, Darden’s Core Curriculum gave me the unique opportunity to develop a strong foundation in global business leadership. Every first year takes the same core curriculum with their section mates. Over three quarters, I developed a deep kinship with my section and a richer understanding of business fundamentals, learning alongside classmates who ranged from professional saxophonists to Goldman Sachs traders.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Melissa Thomas Hunt, affectionately known at Darden as MTH, is a beacon of light for students. She is also one of the most emotionally intelligent people I have ever met. Business school does not differ from any other corporate setting, where the interests of a broad range of stakeholders must be considered. MTH has the gift of teaching students how to skillfully navigate delicate, socially complex situations.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Darden Cup! It perfectly captures the camaraderie and competitive spirit in Darden’s five sections, especially section C, the champions.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Nothing. I worked as hard as I could—reading every case, attending every Darden Cup event, and actively participating in social clubs. While I may not have gotten as much sleep as I would have liked, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Darden is known for its academic rigor and certainly lives up to it! As challenging as the curriculum is, every part of Darden, from schedules to learning teams, is thoughtfully designed to ensure you succeed.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? The people! Charlottesville attracts some of the most successful and generous people in the world, people who selflessly share their time and wisdom with Darden students. I was lucky enough to cross paths with one such person. Rick Kulow, an award-winning entrepreneur, became one of the best mentors I’ve had in life. As a college town, it does not take long for people to find a supportive community both within and outside Darden.

What surprised you the most about business school? How much I came to love my section mates! I never thought it was possible to feel so attached to a random group of ~60 individuals, but by the end of the first year, they had become family.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Gheed Saeed. Countless people talk about inclusivity–Gheed is the rare person who looks around the room and identifies who is missing. She ensures that the people on the margins are always included. Gheed leads by example by showing that inclusivity is not just for corporate initiatives—it starts with us. Gheed inspires me to always create space for a few more, be it in Darden or Dubai, around a desk, or at a dinner table.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I find nothing more fulfilling than a career built on solid relationships. My short-term goal over the next two years is to develop meaningful relationships with the people from my summer internship in the Houston office.

My long-term, 10-year goal is to succeed enough to provide college scholarships to the Yazidi children I helped reunite in 2021. Their mothers deserve their stories to be written down in history. No one could do more justice to them than their college-educated children.

What made Saamia such an invaluable member of the Class of 2024?

“Saamia’s impact at Darden is nothing short of extraordinary. She is the President of MEISA, the Middle East and Islamic Student Association at Darden. MEISA is a small but important part of the Darden community. Saamia’s commitment to advocate for the needs of her community sets her apart. She strives to create space for people on the margins. She is fearless in her approach to ask for what she believes in. She is strongly anchored in her faith.

Saamia’s commitment to academic excellence is outstanding. In the classroom, her contributions are invaluable. She asks thoughtful questions, offers constructive insights, and brings a competitive spirit. Her engagement fosters a dynamic learning environment that benefits everyone. Saamia’s peers tell me that she is the type of person who reads every single case. I believe it. Saamia works tirelessly.

Saamia is an invaluable addition to Darden. She is a leader that exemplifies dedication to excellence and commitment to inclusion. She shows that leadership is an artful balance. Saamia is both bold and graceful, commanding and nurturing, visionary and humble. She embodies the values of our institution and will make a significant impact in the world.”

Professor Peter Belmi

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