Christine Sasaki

UCLA, Anderson School of Management

“Often running around, but always intentionally.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Fun fact about yourself: I once ran through a swarm of bees, but I’ve never been stung by a bee!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Emory University, Bachelor of Business Administration

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? I worked in advertising at MullenLowe as a Brand Strategist.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? I was a Summer Associate at Deloitte in Los Angeles.

Where will you be working after graduation? I will be returning to Deloitte as a Senior Consultant in Los Angeles.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Admissions Ambassador Corps President
• Management Consulting Association Co-VP of Community
• Wine Club at Anderson VP of Excursions
• Anderson Career Team Consulting Coach
• Consulting Interview Preparation Team Coach
• Riordan Fellow Mentor

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? My team and I were selected to represent UCLA Anderson at the Deloitte National Case Competition and we placed second. I am proud of not only our team’s results, but also how we pushed each other to improve throughout the competition. I’m honored to call those teammates my future colleagues as we’ll all be joining the firm together post-MBA.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to develop the brand strategy for a mobile COVID-19 diagnostic service. The opportunity to make tangible impact during a worldwide crisis is something that I found incredibly rewarding and something that I seek in my future roles post-MBA.

Why did you choose this business school? Culture fit was my most important criterion throughout my MBA application process. Anderson’s ethos of shared success is something that manifested in every interaction I had with Anderson students, and I found out very quickly that the tight-knit and supportive community was as genuine as it’s often shared to be.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Hal Hershfield! I took core marketing with him last year and had such a great experience that I applied to do his capstone course focused on behavioral science. I really enjoy how he weaves topical, current events into his course lectures.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Professor Cassie Mogilner-Holmes teaches a course titled, “Applying the Science of Happiness to Life Design.” Initially, I enrolled thinking that I could use some of the course concepts to help with stress management. This course has touched every facet of my life, from family relationships to future career ambitions.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Each year, there is a group trip to Tokyo and Kyoto organized by our international students from Japan. These students, along with a planning committee, meticulously organize a full 7-day itinerary for the Anderson community each year. Last year, over 300 of us went to Japan together and we happened to be there during peak cherry blossom season!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I wish I had attended more campus events outside of my target industry. There are so many incredible industry leaders that come through the doors of Anderson – in just the past couple weeks, I’ve seen Dr. Ezekiel Emmanuel and Ed Bastian speak on campus.

What is the biggest myth about your school? That it’s a regional MBA program. While many people do come to Anderson to be in Los Angeles (Los Angeles does have a wide range of industries after all), alumni land in many places beyond the West Coast. It’s an incredibly global program and I’ve been lucky enough to connect with students and alumni from well beyond the West Coast.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? The food in Los Angeles is incredible. There is something for everyone regardless of cuisine preference, dietary restrictions, or budget. And you can eat al fresco year-round!

What surprised you the most about business school? The richness of class discussion. That might sound rudimentary, but listening to my classmates supplement a prestigious business case study with their unique career experiences elevates the classroom experience beyond your typical graduate-level education.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? David Oh. He’s an excellent teammate, community leader, and planner extraordinaire. He goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels included and welcomed, and I’m honored to call him my classmate.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Lead a company through an initial public offering.
2. Help an organization achieve net zero.

What made Christine such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Christine Sasaki has proven to be an invaluable member of the Class of 2024 at UCLA Anderson through her exceptional leadership as President of the Admissions Ambassador Corps. Her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and empathy has created a supportive and welcoming environment for all classmates. Christine’s ability to involve her peers in activities and ensure everyone feels included has greatly enriched the class dynamic. She consistently makes time to build her leadership abilities, expand her knowledge, and at the same time, seek feedback from mentors and classmates. As a result, Christine’s activities and impactful communication style have fostered a more cohesive and dynamic class community, leaving a lasting impression on the 2024 Class at UCLA Anderson.”

Alex Lawrence
Assistant Dean and Director – MBA Admissions and Financial Aid
UCLA Anderson School of Management

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