Karnessia Georgetown

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“Half Poet, Half Quant: Innovating at the vibrant intersection of entertainment and marketing.”

Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi

Fun fact about yourself: During my undergraduate studies, I worked with a group of talented friends to produce a captivating docuseries called Now, In Color Our series quickly gained traction and was featured by the likes of major outlets such as Teen Vogue, NPR, and the New York Times. This experience was a pivotal moment, confirming my passion for the entertainment industry and sparking my interest in the business side of it.

My name combines my mom’s (Karen) and dad’s (Arness) names! Most people don’t realize, and I love seeing their faces when I tell them!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Yale University, BA Economics

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Algebra I Interventionist, The Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? United Talent Agency, Beverly Hills, CA

Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• President, Black Graduate Business Leaders (2023-2024)
• Dean’s List
• Forté Fellow
• Teaching Assistant for the Following Courses:
  • GSBA 509: Marketing Management
  • GSBA 532: Leading People, Teams, and Organizations
  • Exploring Entrepreneurship

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? During my time in business school, my proudest academic achievement was my team winning the Urban Decay marketing competition within our decision-making and problem-solving course. This project granted us the unique opportunity to engage directly with Urban Decay as our client, dedicating ourselves to extensive research, creating detailed mockups, and actively seeking feedback. Our collective effort culminated in a compelling marketing strategy that not only won the client’s approval but also deepened my interest in the synergy between entertainment and marketing. The satisfaction of developing a mutually exciting strategy and receiving positive feedback from Urban Decay was immensely rewarding, highlighting the value of practical, applied experiences in my academic journey.

On the extracurricular side, serving as the President of the Black Graduate Business Leaders at USC was a significant achievement. My tenure was marked by the successful execution of our fifth annual FORWARD summit, a collaborative effort with the Latino Management Business Association. We succeeded in attracting world-class Black and Latinx business leaders to the event, and I personally led an initiative to honor the founders by bringing them back to campus. Leading an affinity group is a deeply rewarding endeavor driven by a passion for fostering community and visibility within the business school environment. The recognition and appreciation from my peers, including a recent shoutout on WhatsApp commending my leadership and efforts, have been incredibly gratifying. This acknowledgment affirms my work’s impact and fills me with pride for contributing to a more inclusive and supportive community at USC.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The highlight of my professional career that fills me with the most pride is my brief time as a high school teacher, especially during such a tumultuous period. Teaching amidst the challenges of COVID and a hurricane that necessitated a two-week relocation was no small feat. Yet, the unparalleled sense of accomplishment I felt when delivering engaging lessons that students not only participated in but also retained information from is beyond compare. I am most proud of my ability – and my coworkers’ ability – to pivot, adapt, and rely on each other to ensure our students continued to receive a quality education despite the upheavals.

Why did you choose this business school? My decision to attend Marshall was primarily driven by my aspiration to immerse myself in the entertainment industry. The school’s location in Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment world, combined with its programs focusing on the business aspects of entertainment, made it an unparalleled choice for me. This unique blend offered not just theoretical knowledge, but also practical insights and networking opportunities directly within the industry I was passionate about entering. The importance of being at the epicenter of where it all happens, coupled with access to a rich curriculum designed to navigate the complexities of the entertainment business, was a huge selling point for me.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Choosing just one favorite MBA professor is a challenge for me, as there were several who profoundly influenced my educational journey. I am deeply grateful to Professors AJ Ogilvie, Sarah Townsend, Larry Vincent, and Glenn Fox for the indelible marks they’ve left on my perspective and career path. Each brought unique insights and dynamic teaching styles that not only enriched my understanding but also helped me hone my skills and define my career interests. Their dedication to delivering thought-provoking content and fostering a nurturing learning environment has been invaluable to my professional development. I carry the lessons learned from them with immense appreciation and look forward to applying their teachings throughout my career.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Marshall organizes the 100-day celebration to mark the countdown to graduation. On this occasion, everyone gets dressed up and presents awards to their peers. It’s a joyous moment to see everyone gathered in one room.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would have joined the Consortium program. I was not aware of it before applying to business school. I believe that it is an incredibly important program and community to help increase diverse perspectives in business schools and address the underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. It’s such a critical community and organization.

What is the biggest myth about your school? I’m not sure about this one! I don’t know what myths are circulating out there!

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Los Angeles is a hub of culture and entertainment. It is vibrant and offers a wide array of entertainment and cultural events. I could attend an art or cultural event every day if I wanted to, which is right up my alley.

What surprised you the most about business school? I’m not sure I would say anything surprised me the most.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire my friend, Nicole (Zara) Oparaugo. As an MD/MBA student, she has not only conducted clinical research and published papers during her MBA studies, but she has also built a startup based on helping others. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to making a positive impact on people’s lives are truly admirable. What’s more, Zara was also an involved member of the BGBL community, serving as a co-VP of community building. She worked tirelessly to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone felt valued and supported. But what truly sets Zara apart is her kindness and ability to be a great friend. It’s nothing that Zara can’t do if she puts her mind to it!

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

 1. Serve as a mentor for aspiring Entertainment Business Professionals: I hope to inspire and mentor others who are looking to make their way in the entertainment business but aren’t quite sure how to do so.

 2. Develop Initiatives to Promote Arts Awareness for students in Mississippi and Louisiana: Another significant aspiration is to leverage my future work in the entertainment industry to benefit the communities in Mississippi and Louisiana, where I have roots. I envision creating programs that enhance arts education and exposure for students and community members in these areas by establishing partnerships between the entertainment sector, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The objective is to cultivate an opportunity for students to have greater access to the arts and provide opportunities for creative expression, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of my home state and opening new avenues for artistic engagement.

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

“Karnessia Georgetown is an outstanding leader and supporter of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Marshall. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the cause and has championed inclusion throughout her tenure at our institution. As the president of the Black Graduate Business Leaders (BGBL), Karnessia has exhibited exemplary leadership, inspiring her peers to actively engage in meaningful dialogue and action surrounding issues of racial equality and social justice. This year we have a large number of students from African countries. Rather than letting them isolate themselves in their own circles, Karnessia has worked hard to create an inclusive environment for these students. She has welcomed them into the BGBL community with open arms, making them feel part of the BGBL family. To illustrate that, she recently organized a community event called “A Taste of African Heritage” celebrating African culture and influence through food. Guests could sample African influenced foods from around the world, such as Feijoada from Brazil, Jambalaya from Southern United States, Jerk chicken from Jamaica, along with typical food from African countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia. This event showcased Karnessia’s dedication to her community of students and her desire to bring everyone together as one big Marshall and Trojan family.”

Leticia Porter, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean and Director, Full Time MBA
USC Marshall School of Business

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