Joanna Ndugga-Kabuye

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Lover of lavender with a passion for social impact, sunshine and beautiful beaches.”

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was born in Uganda and returned for the first time, in over 20 years, last Summer!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of California, Davis (UC Davis) – Political Science, Public Service

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Tunnell Government Services; Title: HR, Generalist

What makes Seattle such a great place to earn an MBA? Seattle is a prime location to earn an MBA, given its proximity to some of the world’s leading technology companies. While tech is robust, there are other industries represented as well – for instance, many renowned consulting firms have a presence here. So, professionally, it’s a great place to explore a diverse pool of potential employers.

Socially, the great [and extremely breathtaking] Pacific Northwest outdoors are right at your fingertips, perfect for enjoying with a group of fellow adventure-seeking classmates! Looking ahead to post-MBA life, Seattle’s distinct neighborhoods (shout-out to my fav, Queen Anne) – have unique charm, with delicious food and amazing coffee everywhere. Lastly, the Summers in Seattle are simply incredible, so definitely be excited about experiencing all the beauty.

Aside from your location and classmates, what was the key part of Washington Foster’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Reflecting on my MBA journey, Pre-MBA, I knew I wanted to participate in a professor-guided, international study tour. One of the reasons Foster stood out to me was its wide range of study abroad opportunities, catering to various durations. This Fall of 2024, I’m thrilled to be part of the Spain Study Tour alongside several classmates. The study tour will explore the intersection of business and sustainability, two things that deeply interest me. Although it hasn’t happened yet, there’s no doubt in my mind that it’ll be a core MBA memory of mine. I’m looking forward to fostering community, gaining invaluable business/sustainability insights, and exploring Spanish culture through food, art, dance, history, architecture and more!

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Foster? As someone who is passionate about diversity in all its forms, I’ve enjoyed being a part of The MBAA (The UW Foster MBA Association) as a First-Year Representative for Diversity and being a part of the important conversations and decisions surrounding the MBA student experience. Looking ahead, I’m excited to be stepping into the role of Co-VP of Diversity in the upcoming academic year; it’s essential for me to stay actively involved and contribute to the Foster community in this capacity. I’m dedicated to ensuring that the voices of my peers from marginalized backgrounds are not only heard, but also valued and considered in all aspects of our program.

Washington Foster operates off a philosophy of We>Me. Give us an example of how you’ve seen that among your classmates so far. Our MBA community is full of people from extremely diverse professional backgrounds. Some of us bring non-traditional business experiences to the table, so it’s been inspiring to see how classmates with traditional business backgrounds are always willing to extend their support and expertise, whether it’s in Finance, Accounting, or any other subject. Witnessing gestures of kindness like these regularly, reaffirm my decision in choosing the Foster community.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During my time as an HR Business Partner at ECS, a government contractor in Virginia, I supported approximately 700 employees within the Missions Solutions business unit. Throughout this period, I led numerous initiatives aimed at optimizing processes across training and development, employee relations, and federal compliance. I was extremely proud of how I garnered the support of my business unit executives as we incrementally implemented these changes across various teams throughout the business unit. By cultivating strong relationships and trust with the VPs, I successfully drove significant improvements in our daily operations, achieving efficiencies previously uncommon in our unit. Having their confidence and unwavering support served as the catalyst that empowered me to initiate transformative improvements.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: As a prospective Foster student, I reached out to a then first-year Afro-Latinx woman on LinkedIn, wanting to learn about her experiences in the MBA program. After an incredible phone conversation a few weeks later, we met for coffee near the UW campus, where she graciously gave me a tour of the campus. Inspired by her generosity, I’m committed to paying it forward by giving my time, insights, and support to prospective and admitted students, much like Fanny did for me.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with remarkable prospective students, many of whom are Black. This experience has been transformative for me, allowing me to give back and aligning with my passion for fostering diversity and BIPOC representation within Foster—a mission that the Foster School continuously advances. It’s been a pivotal aspect of my MBA journey, shaping my commitment to building a more inclusive community within the program.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Academically, one standout memory from my MBA experience will always be the mandatory case competition at the end of Fall quarter. Spending long hours with my team in a conference room, we collaborated tirelessly on our financial model, pitchbook, and presentation deck—all while sharing food, laughter, and bonding over the struggle. Those moments of hard work and camaraderie will undoubtedly remain a cherished core experience of my MBA journey. I appreciated how we celebrated our collective hard work reflected in our final deliverable. Shoutout to Fall Team 13!

Socially, the Tailgates during football season were a fantastic time! Also, the Consortium group gatherings and activities, have brought me joy. We always have such a fun time together as a group.

DON’T MISS: MEET WASHINGTON FOSTER’S MBA CLASS OF 2025