Leah Cabrera

Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology

“Community-minded; Music, art, and architecture enthusiast; New Yorker; Focused on well-being and self-improvement.”

Hometown: Washington Heights, NY

Fun fact about yourself: I have a twin sister.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Wesleyan University, BA in Mathematics and American Studies

Georgia Institute of Technology, Master’s in City & Regional Planning 24’

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Before enrolling in business school, my most recent position was as a summer intern at the Housing Innovation Lab in the City of Atlanta. I helped develop and find new solutions for affordable housing. Most notably I helped start the process for the city’s first rapid housing initiative, the Melody, offering unhoused people a permanent place to live at 185 Forsyth Street SW. The project opened in January 2024!

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? During the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to intern at Citibank as part of the Personal Banking & Wealth Management Leadership Associate Program in their New York City headquarters. As a summer associate within the Retail Bank, Segments Mass & Emerging Affluent team, I devised and pitched a compelling value proposition for the mass-market Citi bank account. Through extensive research, data analysis, and conducting over 20 interviews, I developed a strategy that forecasted significant revenue growth, a substantial increase in digital acquisition, and improved customer satisfaction rankings within a two-year implementation timeline.

Where will you be working after graduation? After graduation, I am excited to return to Citibank for the Personal Banking & Wealth Management Leadership Associate Program in Dallas, Texas.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

President, Blacks in Business (BiB): I served as the executive officer of the Executive Board, providing general supervision over the organization’s affairs and presiding over meetings.

The central focus of my role was to cast vision for both short and long-term goals, ensuring that BiB remained aligned with its purpose: to unite Scheller MBAs under a bond of professionalism, educate others on issues facing Blacks in business, and celebrate Black culture. I spearheaded initiatives to engage BiB members in becoming change-makers within their communities by organizing and inviting speakers who addressed systemic issues of inequality. Furthermore, I prioritized expanding BiB’s presence on campus and in the Atlanta area, fostering relationships with other Black student groups at Georgia Tech and MBA programs across Atlanta. Through these efforts, I aimed to strengthen BiB’s impact both within the Scheller community and beyond, fostering a culture of advocacy, celebration, and community engagement.

ULI Etkin Scholar, Urban Land Institute Atlanta Chapter: This past fall, I was accepted into ULI Atlanta’s third cohort of Etkin Scholars. The eight-month program is designed to introduce university students with a real estate interest and degree focus to the resources available through ULI membership, and various networking opportunities while gaining knowledge and exposure into the industry.

Rene A. Simon Fellowship: The fellowship was established by Rene A. Simon, a 2018 Scheller Evening MBA alumnus, to recognize one Scheller MBA student each year who excels at serving in their community.

NBMBAA Fellowship: The fellowship is provided by the National Black MBA Association and offers funding throughout my MBA tenure.

Graduate Research Assistant, Planning + Property Lab for Dr. Elora Raymond: I helped research large corporate landlords and real-estate iBuyer’s investment in single-family housing during COVID-19. Our paper and findings were published and presented to the U.S. Congress as a proposal for fairer housing laws during the summer of 2022.

Community and Economic Development Intern, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta: Primarily, I help conduct research that seeks to understand weather-related disaster risk to low-and-moderate-income (LMI) communities across the Sixth District (Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, and portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee). This includes the effects of natural disasters, housing/labor markets, and impact on community financial assets.

22nd Urban Land Institute Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition: My group, SheBuilds, was selected as one of four finalist teams in the nation, with the opportunity to pitch our project “Beyond Boundaries” to the King County and various stakeholders at Seattle City Hall for first place. I helped form the vision and led the financing strategy, market analysis, and 10-year pro forma for the development program of a real, large-scale site in Seattle, Washington, valued at over $2 billion.

AICP Outstanding Student Award: Nominated and selected by College of Design faculty for the 2023-2024 school year. This award from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) recognizes excellence in the study of planning by students graduating from Planning Accreditation Board-accredited planning programs (one at the undergraduate level and one at the graduate level, if applicable) during the academic year.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The Henry County: Assessment and Assistance for the Hidden Homeless studio course presented a unique opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during my MBA studies to address a pressing social issue within my Master of City and Regional Planning cohort. My team and I collaborated closely with various stakeholders including government officials, educational institutions, non-profits, and community organizations, to define and address hidden homelessness in Henry County. By conducting thorough research, engaging in direct conversations with affected populations, and inventorying available resources and services, we were able to develop comprehensive recommendations. Our efforts culminated in a presentation to the Henry County Board of Commissioners, where part of our recommendations were implemented, demonstrating the tangible impact of our work. This project not only provided valuable real-world experience, but also underscored the importance of using business acumen to drive positive social change and community development.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of the most rewarding achievements in my professional career is the impact I had on one of my past students from the independent high school where I taught and tutored. This year, she reached out to me expressing gratitude for tutoring her in math and exposing her to the field of city planning during our time together. Knowing that I played a role in sparking her interest and that she now seeks my advice fills me with joy! It reaffirms the importance of educators in shaping the aspirations and futures of their students, and it is a reminder of the lasting impact we can have beyond the classroom. At Concord Academy in Concord, MA, I held multiple roles. I served as a mathematics teacher, academic support center tutor, and community and equity coordinator, where I worked on initiatives to foster inclusivity within the school community.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose the Scheller College of Business for its unique ability to complement my background and aspirations as a dual degree student in Georgia Tech’s Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) program. Through my first year of studies in MCRP, I’ve gained insight into dynamics that shape urban ecosystems, recognizing the critical role business leaders and technology play in cities. I applied during the second semester of MCRP because I thought Scheller’s curriculum and resources would provide me with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate this intersection, enabling me to leverage business strategies and technological innovations to foster equitable, sustainable, and economically resilient communities.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? One of my favorite professors during my MBA studies was Katie Badura, assistant professor of Organizational Behavior. She taught various leadership courses with enthusiasm and ease. Professor Badura was not only knowledgeable in her field but also down-to-earth, engaging, and genuinely interested in her students’ success as future leaders!

What was your favorite course as an MBA? One of my favorite classes during my MBA studies was Service Operations Management, taught by Professor Manpreet Hora. His exploration of the concept of product as a service versus traditional product-based models opened my eyes to new possibilities in business strategy. By applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, he provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in service operations management. His dynamic teaching style and commitment to student learning made the class not only enjoyable but also incredibly valuable.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? MBA Prom night! The event reflects how close we are as a cohort and that we like to unwind, have fun, and celebrate our MBA journey together while looking amazing.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Looking back on my MBA experience, I would have spent more time delving into roles available post-MBA and honing in on what truly aligns with my interests and career goals early on to maximize the value of my MBA journey. I also recommend taking advantage of the main campus. There are so many activities including guest speakers, shows, events, programming, career fairs, food, etc. I got lucky by being a dual degree student.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about our school is that we are primarily composed of engineers. The reality is that our school attracts a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

What surprised you the most about business school? The genuine and supportive atmosphere and people! Despite my initial worries about elitism as we are in business school, I found my classmates and the larger Scheller community to be down-to-earth, kind, and collaborative. This resonated with my values as someone passionate about community building and economic development. Together, we fostered a spirit of inclusivity, shared purpose, and camaraderie, both in and out of the classroom. It reaffirmed my belief in the importance of authentic connections and collective efforts in driving positive change. 

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire La’Darius Thomas, a fellow MBA student who is also pursuing a PhD in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Throughout our time together, La’Darius has consistently impressed me with his intelligence, work ethic, and dedication to making a meaningful impact. We have collaborated on various projects, including completing a consulting project for Nike, pitching a startup idea, and participating in the NBMBAA Stellantis Case competitions. His contributions to our projects have always been invaluable; his insights are consistently on point, and his ability to think quickly on his feet and communicate ideas so clearly is inspiring. Moreover, his commitment to his studies and research in his PhD demonstrates his passion for driving positive change and innovation. La’Darius is someone whom I can truly say I admire and will make a significant difference in the future.

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

I would love to start a city and become a developer.

OR

Become a Director of Community and Economic Development and develop a city.

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

 “Leah is one of those rare students where her energy and intellect elevates the experience of those around her. When I look at Leah’s journey to an MBA program and reflect on her time here, she has often put other people first and engaged in meaningful work – which is key toward being an effective employee and leader. Not only was it a pleasure to have Leah in my course, I have enjoyed serendipitously running into her in the halls of Scheller over the past two years. The sky is the limit for her future success, and I can’t wait to see the mark she leaves on this world.”

Katie Badura
Assistant Professor

“Leah Cabrera’s impact at Scheller, as part of the Class of 2024, has been immense, as evidenced by her exceptional contributions both inside and outside the classroom. After one of the classes of my Operations Management elective, in the beginning of the semester in 2023, I asked Leah “what her plan was for the week besides classes for other courses”. She replied that she is helping host a conference on “Shifting the Wealth Curve”. I got interested and we had several other conversations through which her leadership contributions became evident.

Leah’s leadership as the President of Blacks in Business (BiB) epitomizes her dedication to fostering positive change within the Scheller community and beyond. Under her guidance, BiB flourished as a platform for uniting Scheller MBAs, advocating for issues business, and celebrating Black culture. Her efforts to expand BiB’s reach and impact, coupled with her participation in prestigious programs such as the ULI Atlanta’s Etkin Scholars and her receipt of esteemed fellowships like the Rene A. Simon Fellowship and the NBMBAA Fellowship, underscore her commitment to excellence and service. Furthermore, her internship at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, where she contributed to critical research on disaster risk to low-and-moderate-income communities, exemplifies her dedication to effecting positive societal change.

Leah’s multifaceted experiences and perspectives enriched our classroom discussions and brought a valuable dimension to our learning environment at Scheller, making her an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024.”

Manpreet Hora
Dean’s Distinguished Term Professorship

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