Loretta Abdul-Ghani

Kelley School of Business at Indiana University

“Creative, Connector, Optimistic; Storyteller; Caring, Selfless, Ambitious, Intentional and Motivational.”

Hometown: South Bend, Indiana

Fun Fact About Yourself:  When I was 24 years old, I gave a TEDx Talk titled, “Gifted,” to an audience of 43 countries to encourage aligning your gift to your purpose and your purpose to your career.

Undergraduate School and Major: Purdue University, Business Management & Marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Eli Lilly & Company, Associate Director, Market Research

In the second half of the year, you will be completing an Academy devoted to areas like Marketing, Finance, Operations, Digital Enterprises and more. Which Academy interests you the most and why? I am most interested in the Business Marketing Academy because this academy will equip us with the tools we need to manage B2B relationships and have organizational impact. We also will be exposed to some Fortune 200 companies that are driving innovation and creating unforgettable customer experiences, which is what I would like to do as I continue my career in marketing.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Indiana Kelley’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What truly sold me on Kelley’s MBA program is the intentionality built into the program for diversity and customized experience. Kelley focuses on the quality of the class and tailors their resources to the development of individual character. The coaching and collaboration is structured to discover and maximize on the leadership style and preferred environment of that student. Belonging and staying true to who I am is a priority and I believe Kelley provides an environment I can thrive in.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Indiana Kelley? Right now, Toastmasters seems enticing to me. I love to encourage others and believe this club will help me hone in on my public speaking talent and become more comfortable in front of an audience and crafting a story.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of the biggest accomplishments in my career has been creating a safe haven for a growing community of more than 200 Black and Brown women to come together and learn from senior to executive Black women leaders. We have Girl Talks to discuss a variety of personal and professional topics spanning from navigating adversity in the workplace to managing a household as a wife and mother. It can be difficult to see how far you can go and what you can accomplish if you do not see others like you go before you. These women give us hope. We give each other connection. It’s authentic Black Girl Magic elevated and celebrated!

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I seek to become a vision-oriented, discerning leader who removes barriers, develops people, encourages a forward-moving environment, and promotes customized experiences. Kelley provides a tailored experience that can amplify my endeavors and help prepare me to step into a senior director role at Eli Lilly or brand management at a partnered company.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Indiana Kelley’s MBA program? To be yourself. Become vulnerable on your application. Remove the robotic tips that have been engraved and allow admissions to see you.  Kelley will choose you for the authentic you.

DON’T MISS: MEET INDIANA KELLEY’S MBA CLASS OF 2025