Meet MIT Sloan’s MBA Class Of 2026

MIT is often associated with engineers, techies, and scientists. Introverts, they think – focused and serious, always too busy for fun. That’s too bad. Those people are missing out on a great time at MIT!

Take alumni from the Sloan School of Management like Sid Agrawal. A 2024 grad, Agrawal observed that “Sloanies take their work serious, but don’t take themselves too seriously.” Over two years, he adds, Sloan was a place where he was challenged, but also surrounded by a community of “down-to-earth, compassionate people” from a wide range of backgrounds. Even more, Agrawal adds, the MBA program wasn’t designed for quants who excelled in STEM fields, either.

“While Sloan mandates the statistics-based course, Data, Models, and Decisions (DMD), in its core curriculum, it also offers remarkable flexibility beyond that. My experience included excellent analytics courses alongside diverse classes in entrepreneurship, finance, and leadership, which aren’t strictly quant-focused. A prime example of Sloan’s broad curriculum is the unique “Rap Theory and Practice” course by rapper Lupe Fiasco, a visiting artist at MIT.”

THE CLASSMATE ON YOUR LEFT…MIGHT BE A CEO

That’s not the only musical number in the Sloan repertoire. Each semester, the school hosts the “Rolling Sloans” – a concert where MBAs show off their musical gifts. Another popular tradition is the bi-weekly Sloan c-f(x) – or Cultural Function – where clubs ranging from the Veterans Club to the Black Business Student Association hold parties that can range from wine tastings to drag shows. Before classes even begin, second-years organize a Pre-f(x) Trip for incoming MBAs to help them connect in a laid-back environment

“In 2023, second-year MBAs led sixteen Pre-f(x) trips for over 250 first-year MBAs and their significant others to places like Lisbon, Iceland, Seattle, and Maine,” recalls Stefan Sayre, a 2024 grad. “I ran trips for over 45 Sloanies to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, showing them two of my favorite cities. I love the Pre-f(x) Program because it’s the first time new “Sloanies” meet each other. To this day, some of my closest friends at Sloan were on my Yosemite Pre-f(x), and my story is hardly unique. Pre-f(x) trips form some of the strongest bonds at Sloan.”

The Class of 2026 has certainly seen a difference at Sloan from other schools. After being admitted to Sloan, Marshall Moten received a stuffed MIT beaver for his nine-month-old son – a toy that has become his favorite – a personal touch, he says, that showed Sloan was also “invested” in his family. Rami Chamoun describes the school atmosphere as “mission-driven”, while also pointing to how the alumni had been “responsive and eager to help” as he transitioned to business school. After meeting a member of the Sloan Women in Management (SWIM) Club, Neva Unsal gained an appreciation for Sloan’s emphasis on humility.

“One of the many useful insights she gave MBA candidates is that MIT embraces and educates humble leaders; for instance, a person sitting next to you on campus may have founded three impactful companies, but you wouldn’t be able to tell,” Unsal tells P&Q. “As a woman leader in the Middle East, I have had my share of challenges in being seen and in exercising my own methods. It is MIT’s open-mindedness and distinctive culture that makes me believe I will be a step closer to achieving my goals and help others in the process.”

“NO PROBLEM IS TOO BIG”

Sloan MBAs may be fun-loving team-players who embrace a “Sloanies helping Sloanies” spirit, but they also love to roll up their sleeves and get things done. That stems from the school’s “Mens-et-manus” philosophy, says Benjamin Paz. Translated to “Mind and hand”, the Latin phrase refers to the importance of turning ideas into solutions: the mind guides the hands and the hands produce something of value.

“At Sloan, the idea is that “no problem is too big to be solved,” which encourages us to think big and tackle tough issues, especially in more traditional industries that are resistant to change,” Paz tells P&Q. “Additionally, Sloan’s tight-knit community, with its smaller class sizes promote meaningful connections and collaboration. This blend of practical, solution-oriented learning and a supportive community perfectly aligns with what I wanted from my MBA.”

Indeed, Paz notes that “innovation, excellence, and a deep sense of community” are the first words that come to mind with MIT – along with “down-to-earth” and “really nice.” That said, says Natalie Madden, there is that something extra special that makes her Sloan classmates stand out.

“I had conversations with current students about the venture ideas they were pursuing and how one of them met their co-founder casually over a beer during their first year. I sensed that Sloanies are constantly brainstorming solutions to everyday problems, turning frustrations into ventures. Sloanies are doers.”

IMPRESSIVE CREDENTIALS

Madden herself brings some serious credentials to Cambridge. During her first year at the desk of Copley Equity Partners, she sourced and closed the largest deal in the firm’s history. Working in investment banking, Carlin Lynch was part of a team that helped Lambda Labs secure a $500 million dollar facility. Not to be outdone, Jarrett Heflin – who once taught Colin Kaepernick how to row as part of an advertisement collaboration – was the first business hire of a seed-stage startup and helped take the firm to a “$20 million run-rate within six months.” By the same token, James Park was part of a major deal at a tech firm with locations in over 200 countries.

“My most memorable accomplishment was contributing to a pre-IPO funding initiative at Yanolja, a Korean hospitality startup, where we secured a $1.7B investment from SoftBank. As part of the strategy team, I helped shape the equity story and orchestrated funding initiatives that involved persuading global investors to embrace Yanolja’s unique business model and global aspirations.”

Before business school, Marshall Moten served as a team trainer in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. At Workday, it only took Eliza Weaver six months to resurrect a product that had been dormant for three years. When she presented it at Workday’s Developer Conference, she earned the 2nd-highest rating among over 200 attendees. As a Strategy& consultant, Rami Chamoun helped a Middle East telecom expand into gaming – a firm that even become a “major contributor” to the eSports World Cup. At Amazon Turkey, Neva Unsal boosted the number of global and local brands available to consumers.

“We supported vendors in opening accounts in other global Amazon platforms in Germany, the UK and the US, which allowed them to ship products from Turkey. I took a similar approach in my previous roles at Amazon in such categories as Small Domestic Appliances, and Apparel, among others. After I became Amazon Turkey’s Senior Vendor Manager for Toys in 2021, my ambition was to create the biggest toy store in Turkey. Now, we are not too far from meeting this goal!”

TALENTS ON DISPLAY

Clearly, the ability to build is a unique quality that Unsal brings to the Class of 2026. Her classmates present equally invaluable skills to their classmates. Jane MacGillivray, an engineer by trade, has a knack for explaining technical concepts in a way that’s easy-to-understand. Jarrett Heflin notes that he has personal experience with “hundreds of real-life case studies”, which has prepared him to share how to scale teams and sustain growth. At the same time, James Park believes his venture capital experience across the United States and Asia will provide his classmates with a wider view on areas like market and product strategies. Not only can Benjamin Paz provide insights from his native Latin America, but his consulting experience has exposed him to numerous industries.

“I’ve collaborated with a diverse range of people to transform traditional industries that are often resistant to change — from wineries and fruit exporters to e-commerce platforms. I think my ability to navigate these complex environments and drive innovation will allow me to contribute a valuable perspective to class discussions at Sloan. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and insights on promoting innovation, which will enrich our conversations about global business strategies and help us prepare for an increasingly interconnected world.”

There are few better cities to prepare MBAs for the next career than Cambridge. Just across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is the home of MIT. Not surprisingly, Marshall Moten describes MIT as being in the heart of everything, including “advanced technology research, healthcare, [and] security.”  And James Park would tack on “venture capital firms, innovative startups, and thought leaders” too. According to Natalie Madden, the area is “buzzing with innovation.”

OPPORTUNITIES GALORE IN BOSTON

So much of it is centered around Kendall Square just a mile away. Here, you’ll find the Cambridge Innovation Center, a far-flung innovation ecosystem that houses over 300 organizations in Cambridge alone. Nearby, you can visit Amazon and Microsoft, not to mention biotechs like Pfizer and Novartis. Of course, there are venture capital firms like Highland Capital Partners staking their claim to Kendall Square too. The Boston area itself is a startup hub, particularly in the areas of life science, artificial intelligence, and fintech. From 2021-2023, Boston attracted $10.5 billion dollars in early-stage funding, almost 16 times more than an average urban area according to Startup Genome. Even more, the area has spun out 39 unicorns over that same 2021-2023 period. Even more, Boston is home to nearly 250,000 undergraduate and graduate students at institutions as different as Harvard University, Boston University, and Wellesley College. Hence, MBAs can tap into a wide array of expertise outside of MIT.

“Many of the world’s most innovative companies and leading investors – Google, Moderna, Biogen, Bessemer Venture Partners – have a significant presence in Cambridge,” observes ’24 Sloan alum Stefan Sayre. “Because of Sloan’s location, we get access to guest speakers, corporate sponsors, and job opportunities that wouldn’t be possible if Sloan were based elsewhere. Plus, Cambridge is only a few hours from the mountains of New England and the beautiful Atlantic coastline, making it easy to get out of the city for outdoor adventures.”

Thus far, the Class of 2026 have also been gushing about the quality of life in Cambridge and Boston. Marshall Moten describes it as a big city that “feels like a small town” – “a perfect place to raise young children” and “easy to get around.” Natalie Madden loves the “natural beauty”, be it sailing on the Charles River or the wooded walking trails. Architecturally, Rami Chamoun is awe-struck by the city’s “blend of historic charm and modern sophistication.” In the end, writes Neva Unsal, it is the energy – the brainpower, possibilities, and diversity – that makes the Boston area the best place to amplify their Sloan experience.

“As a Tufts University graduate, I believe living in Boston is a privilege due to the city’s vibrant atmosphere created through the distinguished academic institutions in the area. Each day, Bostonians experience a vibrant mix of culture and education. As you ride on the T (subway line) you can observe that learning extends beyond the classroom as each stop exposes you to a new crowd and some of the world’s most compelling conversations. This unique blend of intellectual energy and cultural richness makes Boston a special place to call home.”

Next Page: Interivew with School Leadership.