2024 MBA To Watch: Megan Trudo, Emory University (Goizueta)

Megan Trudo

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

“A proud Black/Filipina California native who loves eating new foods, traveling to experience different cultures, and learning about new topics.”

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California

Fun fact about yourself: I was once on the show, The Price is Right.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Loyola Marymount University, Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing (B.B.A.), Minor in Accounting

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Fox Dealer, Marketing Coordinator (Pasadena, California)

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Reckitt, MBA Marketing Intern (Parsippany, New Jersey)

Where will you be working after graduation? The Clorox Company, Associate Marketing Manager (Oakland, California)

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Leadership:

– The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Chapter at Emory University, President

– Graduate Business Association (GBA), VP of Marketing & Communications

– Inside Goizueta (Diversity Conference), Co-Chair

– Delta Leadership Coaching Fellow

Membership:

– Forté Foundation Fellow

– Goizueta Marketing Association (GMA)

– Goizueta Consulting Association (GCA)

– Goizueta Ambassadors

– Black MBA Association

– Pride Alliance

– Graduate Women in Business (GWIB)

– Food & Wine Club

Awards:

– Diversity Core Value (Dec. 2022)

– Community Core Value (Apr. 2023)

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? In November 2023, I had the privilege of being named the Chair of Inside Goizueta (IG), our annual diversity conference. In 2021, prior to business school, I attended Inside Goizueta via Zoom during the pandemic. Despite it being a virtual event, it was one of the best I attended during the pandemic. The facilitators were welcoming and engaging, and the events were very intentional. It gave me a glimpse into the type of culture that I could be part of at Emory. I knew then I wanted to be part of the Goizueta community and had hopes of leading this event as a student. Fast forward, two years later, my hopes became a reality. I had the pleasure of working with an amazing student-led team and we welcomed 60+ prospective students – the largest in-person conference in IG history.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Within my first year at Fox Dealer, I created and led a team that planned our company culture events. We would plan 10-12 events per quarter. Some of my favorite events were the Office Olympics, our annual Halloween parties, and The Bold Women Brunch, an annual event created by our team which celebrated and recognized the women in our company. From the various events we planned, we saw an improvement in company morale and an increase in employee participation over time. Later that year, I was selected as Employee of the Month, with my CEO citing my commitment to company culture as a critical contribution to our work. I was really grateful to have my work recognized in such a tangible way.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Goizueta because of the community. I attended Inside Goizueta, our annual diversity conference, before business school and spoke to many students during my application process. I instantly felt a connection and welcomed by these students even as an applicant. After I received admission into the program, I attended Welcome Weekend in April 2022 where I also met Associate Dean of the Full-Time MBA Programs, Brian Mitchell. I felt confident that I would be supported by the students, faculty, staff, and alumni at Goizueta. Because of this dedicated support system, I knew it was an environment that I would love and thrive in.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor is Professor Erika Hall. I am currently taking her course, Bias in the Workplace. She creates an intimate environment for us to feel comfortable discussing difficult topics in a productive manner. So far this semester, we have discussed issues like unconscious bias, stereotypes, colorism, and intersectionality. Because these topics have impacted me directly as a Black woman of color in the workplace, I have really appreciated having a Black female professor to learn from.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite MBA course was Digital Content Marketing taught by Professor Marina Cooley. This was a course helpful for my career trajectory. It was very engaging and relevant to trends happening in today’s digital world.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event is KEGS, which stands for Keeping Everyone at Goizueta Social. It’s a school event hosted every Thursday where the Goizueta community gathers on campus to enjoy food, drinks, and music.

What is the biggest myth about your school? I believe Goizueta is well-known for being strong in consulting. Though this is true, I have still felt supported as a marketing/brand management concentration. This has felt especially true during my recruitment experiences through Goizueta.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Atlanta has so much culture, which has been a beautiful thing to experience over the past two years. There is always something to do and I’ve had a great time experiencing what the city has to offer with my friends and classmates. This includes attending professional sports games, enjoying the nightlife/music scene, and trying new foods and restaurants from diverse cultures. In addition, from a professional perspective, I’ve felt supported and celebrated as a woman of color and have been able to learn so much from alumni still living in Georgia.

What surprised you the most about business school? I was surprised by how student-led the program is. As students, we are given a lot of support and freedom by faculty and staff to pursue any ideas or opportunities we have.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I have most admired Yaritsa Brea. She has become a sister to me who I have been able to share so many memories with in the past two years. Beyond our personal relationship, she is a hard worker and cares immensely about giving back to her communities. She is a great role model who I have learned so much from and I’m grateful to have a friend like her in my life.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? My professional bucket list includes  getting involved in leadership/mentorship opportunities through employee resource groups and working abroad at some point.

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

“As the president of Consortium, Megan is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in global business education. Her role as Graduate Business Association Vice President of Marketing and Communication further showcases her commitment to these values, amplifying her impact across multiple platforms. Additionally, Megan’s leadership of Inside Goizueta provides prospective students with invaluable insights into the vibrant academic and professional experiences offered by our institution, with a special focus on inclusivity for underrepresented groups. Megan’s unwavering dedication to Emory’s core values, coupled with her exceptional work ethic, make her an invaluable asset to the Goizueta Business School community. This is a well-deserved spotlight for Megan Trudo.”

Vernon Smith
Senior Associate Director of Student Life & Engagement, Full-Time MBA
Emory University’s Goizueta Business School

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024