Anaida Hasan

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

“First-generation Bengali passionate about women in business, equality in educational opportunities, cultural diversity, and unconditional inclusivity.”

Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am an introvert turned extrovert. I dropped out from my first public speaking class in high school out of fear and eventually found my utmost affinity to speak in public settings.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of South Florida; Masters in Accounting, University of South Florida

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Ernst & Young, Audit Associate – Financial Service Organizations

What makes Atlanta such a great place to earn an MBA? The city is a perfect amalgamation of the growing corporate scene (regardless of any industry that you want to pursue) and the rich diversity of people. To me, this is the perfect balance for me to grow professionally and personally. This is a place where you can build a home with your significant other and raise your kids. Additionally, the southern hospitality and the eccentric weather truly makes it exemplary.

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? A pivotal aspect that drove me towards Goizueta’s MBA program was the Global Experiential Modules so that I can have exposure to global experiences. Furthermore, the small class size and the authentic interest of the Goizueta community makes this entire experience truly worthwhile. This allows students to develop long last relationships with fellow classmates and faculty members.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Emory Goizueta? I aspire to contribute in the Goizueta Finance Club and Graduate Women in Business, which will allow me to broaden my horizons in areas of governance and leadership.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment is the long-lasting relationships that I have been able to cultivate during my professional journey at EY and beyond. My heart remains filled with gratitude for the mentorship, friendship, and camaraderie that I have experienced during my journey. Community is the reason why I am here, and I really hope that I get the opportunity to pay it forward. I had the opportunity to audit some of the biggest Fortune 100 companies during my time at EY Atlanta and Toronto, primarily specializing on wealth and asset management clients. I created long lasting client relations and learned the inner workings of client operations through comprehensive audits.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I strongly believe that my journey to be an impactful leader with a high degree of empathy, agility, emotional intelligence, tenacity, and persistence will make my MBA experience successful. This experience will not only assist me to comprehend the true value of service, academia, research, relationships, philanthropy, integrity, and networking, but also it will solidify my aspirations of inspiring, motivating, and guiding female individuals to pursue their dreams in the corporate world.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Emory Goizueta’s MBA program? I would encourage potential applicants to reflect on their motivations to pursue an MBA. There is truly no other program like Goizueta’s MBA program. The community cares about you throughout the entire process and they will treat you like nothing less than family. The Goizueta admissions team wants to know who you are, why you are here and your aspirations. Your story matters. Additionally, remind yourself that success is not linear. Hence, smell the roses and appreciate both the ups-and-downs.