2024 MBA To Watch: Lili Wondwossen, MIT (Sloan)

Lili Wondwossen

MIT, Sloan School of Management

“Creative problem-solver, community builder, and healthcare innovator, leveraging my MIT MBA to drive meaningful change.”

Hometown: I was born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia and moved to Boston in 2000.

Fun fact about yourself: I really enjoy dancing and listening to music from different cultures. Before I enrolled in business school, I used to coach children enrolled in Boston’s Enku Dankera dance group. This coveted dance group is the highlight of the Annual Ethiopian New Year celebration. As a coach, I commit to choreographing and teaching four dance routines that represent the different ethnic tribes of Ethiopia. Despite the long and challenging practices, I loved teaching young children about our Ethiopian culture through the art of dance.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Boston University, Health Science

Where was te last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Pfizer, Global Health & Social Impact Operations Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Biogen Summer Intern, SMA Global Marketing   

Where will you be working after graduation? TBD

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

1) Club Involvement: Product Management Club; African Business Club, Co-president; Black Business Student Association, Marketing Lead; Conference Involvement: 2023 Africa Innovate Conference, Healthcare Panel and Marketing Lead

2) Teaching Assistant Positions: 15.365 Overcoming Obstacles to Entrepreneurial Success; 15.312 Organizational Processes

3) 2023 Admit Dinner Cohost

4) 2023 Prospective Student Panelist

5) Black Graduate Student Association – Treasury (Short term)

6) 2023 Pre Function Leader (Ludlow Vermont)

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Among my academic and extracurricular achievements, I am most proud of my role as co-president of the Africa Business Club. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, as it allowed me to create a vibrant community for individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common vision for the African continent.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of this role was the opportunity to connect with my classmates on a deeper level and provide them with a sense of belonging, especially for those who were far from home. By fostering a strong sense of community, we were able to create a supportive environment that celebrated our shared heritage and aspirations.

Moreover, being a leader within the Africa Business Club enabled me to amplify the remarkable work being done by individuals across the continent. Through organizing panels on the Africa Innovate Conference, which I had the honor of leading, we showcased the talent, innovation, and potential of African entrepreneurs and businesses.

This leadership experience not only helped me develop valuable skills but also reinforced my passion for contributing to Africa’s growth and development. It was truly gratifying to collaborate with like-minded individuals and play a role in shaping the narrative around Africa’s thriving business landscape.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Among my professional accomplishments, I am most proud of the strategic consulting project I led for Woman360 in Ghana while working at Pfizer. Woman360 is a franchise network of private clinics and hospitals that faced the challenge of declining brand awareness and needed to improve its competitive position in the Ghanaian healthcare market.

To address these issues, my colleagues and I employed a design-thinking methodology. We conducted in-depth customer interviews to identify the shortcomings in Woman360’s brand strategy. This approach allowed us to gain valuable insights into the perspectives of key stakeholders and develop a comprehensive plan to revitalize the organization’s brand.

Based on our findings, we crafted a customer segmentation strategy and marketing plan aimed at increasing awareness among three critical groups: patients, investors, and key opinion leaders. Our recommendations encompassed the development of a new website, the creation of investor newsletters and patient testimonials, and the implementation of a social media content calendar. These initiatives were designed to effectively communicate Woman360’s value proposition and engage with its target audiences.

The impact of our efforts has been significant. As a result of the strategic changes we implemented, Woman360 has experienced growth in both brand awareness and its patient base. The success of the project is evidenced by the opening of the organization’s third franchise location in Accra in August.

Leading this project was an incredibly rewarding experience, as it allowed me to apply my strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to make a tangible difference in the healthcare landscape of Ghana. It demonstrated the power of leveraging insights from key stakeholders and developing targeted strategies to drive meaningful change. I am proud to have contributed to Woman360’s growth and to have played a role in improving access to quality healthcare services in the region.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose MIT Sloan because I believed it would provide me with the technical knowledge and entrepreneurial mindset necessary to address the healthcare supply chain gap in Ethiopia and other emerging and developing countries. Sloan’s location in Boston, a thriving health ecosystem, and its emphasis on entrepreneurship were particularly appealing to me. I was drawn to the school’s community, which actively encourages problem-solving and finding practical solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. MIT Sloan’s unique combination of technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit made it the ideal place for me to grow and develop the skills I need to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite Sloan faculty member is Senior Lecturer Arathi Mehrotra, who taught my communication class during the core semester. I admired her not only for her excellent teaching skills, but also for her dedication to mentoring students outside of the classroom. Arathi went above-and-beyond by taking the time to help me prepare for interviews and providing valuable guidance throughout my MBA journey. Her willingness to invest in her students’ success and offer support beyond the scope of her course made her an exceptional mentor and left a lasting impact on me.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course at MIT Sloan has been the Global Entrepreneurship Lab (G-Lab). Since its inception in 2000, G-Lab has provided students with the unique opportunity to work with startups and growing companies in emerging and frontier markets worldwide. This year, our team had the privilege of collaborating with Hijos de Rivera Brewery in A Coruna, Spain, for an entire month. During this time, we conducted a comprehensive consumer behavior analysis by leveraging five distinct data sources, including customer surveys, website analytics, social media data, and e-commerce purchase histories. By synthesizing these insights, we were able to deliver eight actionable recommendations for the company’s three- and five-year planning. Our team also developed innovative strategies to help the company BIGCRAFTERS increase market share, retain customers, optimize pricing, and enhance brand visibility. The hands-on experience and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on a real-world business made G-Lab an incredibly rewarding and unforgettable learning experience.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? One of my favorite MBA traditions at MIT Sloan is the pre-function trip for incoming students. As a first-year student, I had the opportunity to participate in a trip to Portland, Maine. As a second-year, I was one of the organizers for a trip to Vermont. This tradition is a testament to Sloan’s commitment to fostering a strong sense of community among its students, even before they set foot on campus. The pre-function trips provide a unique opportunity for incoming students to bond with their classmates in a relaxed and stress-free environment, allowing them to form meaningful connections that last throughout their MBA journey and beyond. It’s a heartwarming tradition that exemplifies the tight-knit nature of the Sloan community, as students who have benefited from the experience are eager to pay it forward and organize trips for the incoming class.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could go back and do one thing differently during my MBA experience, I would challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone more often. While I had a fulfilling MBA journey, I now realize that I could have seized even more opportunities for growth and learning. I would have joined clubs that piqued my interest but were unfamiliar to me. Additionally, I would have taken advantage of the chance to travel for conferences, not only to expand my network but also to immerse myself in different cultures and environments.

What is the biggest myth about your school? One of the biggest myths about MIT Sloan is that it only accepts students with technical backgrounds, given the school’s prestigious reputation in that area. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In my experience, Sloan has done a remarkable job of welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, which has greatly enriched the fabric of our community. The school recognizes the value of having a wide range of perspectives in the classroom, as it leads to more meaningful and insightful discussions. By embracing students with varied experiences and skill sets, MIT Sloan fosters a dynamic learning environment that benefits everyone.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? As someone who had lived in Boston for many years, I was familiar with the area, but living and studying in Cambridge brought a fresh outlook that I truly appreciated. One of the things I loved most was being surrounded by my classmates, which fostered a sense of community and belonging. On a personal level, having my family nearby made the holidays and celebrations even more special. Cambridge has a distinctive vibe that appeals to a wide range of audiences, many of whom are students, which means there are always opportunities for engaging and thought-provoking conversations.

What surprised you the most about business school? One of the most surprising aspects of business school was the challenge of managing conflicting priorities. During the first year, I found it incredibly stressful to balance recruiting, academic performance, and maintaining a social life, as they were all happening simultaneously. At Sloan, there is a unique curriculum that requires working with a team for the entire semester, which also means understanding and adapting to the working styles of different individuals. While challenging, this experience has prepared me for real-world work situations and has been an invaluable lesson in time management and collaboration.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The classmate I most admired was Cana Anduze. Cana was not only a friend but also a cherished member of our class who, sadly, passed away in 2023. I want to take this opportunity to remember him for being a light in every room he entered. His warm smile and zest for life were infectious, and he always brought positivity to those around him. Cana will forever be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and the indelible mark he left on our community.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? One of my top professional aspirations is to work abroad, specifically in Ethiopia or Kenya for a few years. I believe that immersing myself in a different cultural and business environment will not only contribute to my personal and professional growth, but will also allow me to make a meaningful impact in the region. Additionally, I strive to be a source of inspiration for young Ethiopian girls who dare to dream big. By setting an example and sharing my experiences, I hope to encourage and empower them to pursue their ambitions and realize their full potential.

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

“Lili Wondwossen is always ready to lend an ear, and she leads with grace and kindness. Her ability to build strong relationships with her peers across class years and across many communities speaks to her ability to navigate any environment. Her savvy leadership has contributed to a vibrant Africa Business Club (of which she is Co-President), and frequent collaborations with Sloan’s Black Business Student Association. She is also a member of the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Club, the Asian American Alliance, FLI@Sloan Club, Management Consulting Club, Sloan Follies, and Sloan Women in Management (SWIM). Lili also serves as a Community Building Chair (CBC) for the MBA program, supporting first-year MBA students by creating community among the different cohorts. She truly personifies MIT Sloan’s mission, that of developing principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and generate ideas that advance management practice.”

Nia DeYounge
Director of the Student Life Office at MIT Sloan School of Management

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