Madison P. Meredith

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Inquisitive and ambitious, both in marketing and on the pickleball court.”

Hometown: Porterville, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I competed in science fairs for seven years and was named California’s Science Student of the Year in 2015.

Undergraduate School and Major: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, B.S. in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Associate Brand Manager, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

What makes Seattle such a great place to earn an MBA? Seattle’s diverse array of industries, all conveniently located within city limits, creates a truly unique environment for MBA students. Whether you’re wanting to pivot into tech, start-ups, retail or CPG, Seattle has something to offer everyone. This diversity makes the MBA experience here truly special, as I have been able to learn and network in industries I would have never considered before!

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? One of the aspects that drew me to Foster was its emphasis on small class sizes. Unlike larger programs, where I feared I would just be a number in the crowd of people, Foster’s intimate setting creates a more personalized learning and community experience. The largest class I’ve taken here consisted of just 50 students, which allowed for unparalleled access to professors, exciting discussions and a deeper understanding of the subject.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Foster? At Foster, Financial Accounting has been a standout course for me. With limited career and educational background in accounting, I initially found the subject intimidating. However, the engaging delivery and dynamic professor transformed my perspective, pushing me out of my comfort zone and igniting a newfound interest. My desire to learn and broaden my horizons drove me to pursue an MBA and this course did exactly that. Now the subject I once feared has become one I can’t wait to take more of next year.

Washington Foster operates off a philosophy of We>Me. Give us an example of how you’ve seen that among your classmates so far. Following my acceptance into the program, I had doubts about whether it was the right time to pause my career and return to school. With almost perfect timing, a second-year student within the program reached out to help before I made my final decision. In a gesture that epitomized the We > Me philosophy, she spent over an hour addressing all my concerns and even connected me with other students to gain additional perspectives. Her willingness to go above-and-beyond confirmed my decision to join and embodied the collaborative spirit of the program before I even set foot on campus!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career has been my ability to adapt and pivot. With a plant science degree, I dove headfirst into a job in sales straight out of undergrad before transitioning into marketing roles within the wine industry. Now as I make the move into the tech industry, I take pride in my willingness to embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: It’s no secret that the job market is challenging right now. Even with the fantastic resources available through the program, as the dynamics of the market continue to change, the needs of our class also continue to evolve. With the hope to do more, I ran and was elected the class Career Development rep. Over the past six months, I’ve partnered with the Career Management office to develop new resources aimed at assisting students in their internship search. My efforts have been focused on bridging the gap between students and available resources, while also offering ongoing support to those navigating the internship hunt. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see classmates secure interviews and internships because of initiatives I’ve supported and spearheaded.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? While there are many great moments that come to mind during my MBA journey so far, the thing that ties them all together is the amazing group of people I have been able to do them with. From early morning tailgates for Husky football games to late nights on campus prepping for case competitions, I feel so grateful to have met so many smart, talented individuals. These unexpected connections have enriched my experience in ways I could have never imagined, broadening my perspective and fostering lifelong friendships.

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