Manideep Kanagala

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“Healthcare technology enthusiast, servant leader, marathon runner, and mountaineer with a passion for making a positive impact.”

Hometown: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love extreme adventures. On one of my solo journeys across India, I found myself deep in the jungles of Nagaland, trekking toward a village called Mon. It was not an easy path—thick forests, remote trails—but the destination made it all worth it. When I finally arrived, I was greeted by the Konyak warrior tribe, the last generation of headhunters. Their bodies were adorned with intricate tattoos, each marking a piece of their rich history. Sitting with them, hearing their stories, I realized I had stumbled upon a living piece of ancient tradition—a moment I’ll never forget.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India.

Master of Technology in Data Science and Engineering from Birla Institute of Technological Sciences, Pilani, India

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Principal Consultant at Imperium

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA?  Los Angeles is like a cultural buffet—you get a little bit of everything. The industries are diverse, from entertainment to consulting and everything in-between. You will find people from all over the world. You are constantly surrounded by different perspectives, making every day a learning experience. For someone who is a fan of the outdoors like me, LA is paradise. Where else can you hit the beach, snowboard in the mountains, and hike in the forest all in a single day? I haven’t tried doing all three in a single day yet, but it is definitely on my list—I can already imagine the struggle of fitting a surfboard, snowboard, and hiking stick into a car. Plus, the year-round sunny weather is a major perk. The city is always in a good mood, which makes everything from studying to networking feel a little brighter.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of USC Marshall’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? One of the main reasons I chose USC Marshall is because of the smaller cohort size and the incredible Trojan Network. The smaller cohort means that we really get to know each other and build strong, supportive relationships. It creates a close-knit community where everyone is invested in each other’s success, and that kind of environment is really important to me.

What truly sealed the deal for me was the strength of the Trojan Network. Before I even applied, I reached out to over a dozen current students and alums to learn more about their experiences. I was blown away by the response—every single person got back to me, which didn’t happen with other schools I applied to. It showed me just how strong and supportive the Trojan Family really is. It is not just a network; It is a community of people who genuinely want to help each other succeed. Being part of such a network is inspiring and something I knew I wanted to be a part of.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at USC Marshall? The course that excites me the most at USC Marshall is “Corporate Finance and Financial Reporting” with Professor Scott Abrams. As someone aspiring to start my own company one day, I know that understanding strategic financial decision-making is crucial. This course will help me bridge gaps in my knowledge by teaching me how to interpret financial health from company reports—skills that are essential for leading a successful company.

I am also looking forward to getting involved with the Healthcare Leadership Association and the Marshall Outdoor Club. The Healthcare Leadership Association aligns perfectly with my goal of innovating in the healthcare industry, offering a chance to connect with peers and professionals who share my passion. As for the Marshall Outdoor Club—well, nothing beats discussing business strategy while hiking up a mountain, right? Plus, taking on leadership roles in these clubs will allow me to contribute my own experiences while expanding my network through the Trojan community.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized that USC Marshall was the right program for you? Why? I realized USC Marshall was the right program for me the moment I had a conversation with Marshall students Samyak and Aditya. We had a casual chat, but what stood out was how genuinely passionate and invested they were in helping me navigate the MBA decision process. They were sharing such honest insights, offering advice, and making sure that I felt supported.

It was not just those conversations. As I continued to reach out to more students and alums, I experienced the same warmth and willingness to help from everyone. It was in those moments that I knew Marshall was different. This was not just a school with a great reputation—it was a community where people truly cared about each other’s success. That is when I knew Marshall was the right place for me.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment has been creating the “Stop the Bleed – Active Bleeding Control (ABC)” project in India to save road accident victims. In India, road accidents claim a life every three minutes. Of these, 40% are due to uncontrolled bleeding. To address this, in 2017, a collaboration was formed with the University of Pennsylvania and multiple national organizations, such as the 108 National Ambulance Training Centre. We created a low-cost kit that costs one-tenth of the price of imported kits. I am grateful that ABC has trained over 7,500 volunteers and saved 200 lives so far. I am humbled when I hear feedback from road accident survivors, such as ‘I was hurt, bleeding, and no one was helping me until an ABC volunteer found me and saved my life.’

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Looking ahead two years, a successful MBA experience for me would be defined by three key outcomes: personal growth, meaningful connections, and real-world impact.

First, I want to grow both personally and professionally. This means gaining the business knowledge and leadership skills necessary to excel in my career while developing a deeper understanding of my strengths, weaknesses, and how I can contribute to the world.

Second, building meaningful connections with my classmates, professors, and the broader Trojan Network, which will serve as a lifelong support system. Whether through collaborative projects, clubs, or informal gatherings, I want to be part of a community where we uplift each other and create lasting bonds.

Finally, I want to apply what I learn in real-world settings, making a tangible impact through internships, consulting projects, or entrepreneurial ventures. By putting theory into practice, I hope to contribute to solving real business challenges and gain hands-on experience that will be invaluable in my post-MBA career.

DON’T MISS: MEET USC MARSHALL’S MBA CLASS OF 2026