Meet Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA Class Of 2026

There’s just something…

Something more, something different, something better.

You just feel it. Energy. Purpose. Possibilities. Belonging.

It’s a spirit. It’s a way of living. It’s a community. It’s home.

It’s Kellogg.

And it’s why many top professionals stream to Evanston each summer. They seek that something extra from an MBA program: the memories they form, the values they witness, the confidence they gain, and the growth they experience. They seek a culture that prizes being open, collaborative, and creative – and they commit to a structure that requires them to be deeply involved in campus life.

MORE “ADD” THAN “FIT”

Rob Vogal, a second-year MBA, points to Special K! as an event that represents Kellogg’s distinctiveness. A musical comedy show, the event gave Vogal a stage to playfully tweak classmates with his DJ – Diversity Junkie – character. Not only did his set spark productive discussions, he says, but also honed his ability to speak in meetings and think on his feet. More than that, it reflected a key tenet of Kellogg’s leadership philosophy, where students are expected to be an “add” more than a “fit” – welcoming people who bring something authentic and new to the community.

“The embrace of different skills and styles is what makes Kellogg truly special,” Vogal explains. “It’s a community that thrives on the diverse contributions of its members, each adding their voice to the collective experience.”

The MBA Class of 2026 experienced this dynamic early on at Kellogg. At Day at Kellogg (DAK), students were introduced to an out-of-the-box course: Complexity in Leadership: An Exploration Through Literature.” Each week, student explore famous stories from different eras and geographies. Instead of deconstructing symbols from a post-colonial sensibility, MBAs examine the moral dilemmas, uncertainties, and choices faced by characters. In the process, students hone their ability to exchange ideas and identify alternatives, no different than a standard business case. For Mallory Kirby, a first-year who last worked in healthcare strategy, the course is an example of how the Kellogg MBA approaches timeless issues in a fresh way.

“I’m an avid reader and firmly believe there are lessons to be learned through fiction – maybe not facts but new perspectives, social complexities, and morals. I’m so excited to take this course and love the idea that well-rounded leaders are not just built on business acumen but the skills to more discerningly explore moral questions through multiple modalities, not just the classroom.”

GOING ON A KWEST

KWEST is another twist on an MBA staple. A pre-MBA orientation trek led by second-years, KWEST – or Kellogg’s Worldwide Exploration Student Trip – is like a magical mystery tour. Arriving at an airport without any idea where they are headed, first-year teams numbering 20-25 members spend a week abroad at over 35 locales such as Malta, Croatia, and Thailand. To deepen the mystery, MBAs aren’t allowed to share their names or backgrounds with their classmates. As a result, says 2024 grad Elizabeth Willis, first years learn “who” their classmates are and not “what” they are. Willis’ classmate, Dorian Allen, found KWEST to be a profound way to forge connections with his peers long before they stepped foot into Kellogg’s Global Hub.

“Many schools do pre-orientation trips, but KWEST is one-of-a-kind,” Allen explains. “For the first two days, students don’t share their hometown, previous work experience, and recruiting goals. This encourages students to skip over superficial conversation starters, discover commonalties, and form deeper relationships. On day three is the Big Reveal, a special dinner where we guess (often incorrectly) our classmates’ backgrounds. Before my first year, I went to Norway for KWEST, and I enjoyed the experience so much that I led a KWEST to Ecuador my second year. My classmates had some wild guesses for me… ranging from sommelier to CIA agent to investment banker.”

For Ryan Rupel, a first-year student and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, KWEST enabled him to start classes with a “network of close friends.” At the same time, adds Henry Long, it epitomized exactly what Kellogg was all about.

“[KWEST] requires buying into an out-of-the-box idea, a leap of faith and putting trust in our Kellogg student leaders, and hopefully creating a memorable once in a lifetime experience,” writes the former improv comic. “In short, it encapsulates everything that makes Kellogg special.”

FROM DREAMWORKS TO U.S. SPACE FORCE

During KWEST, Long’s classmates probably wouldn’t have guessed his passion for improv, let alone his full-time job. Before business school, he worked as a senior technical producer for Blizzard Entertainment, best known for World of Warcraft. Before that, he was the technical director for DreamWorks in the animation department, where he worked for nearly five years. His big achievement there, he says, was helping to hold everything together during COVID.

“After creating over 30 movies in a studio over 25 years, the entire team had to transition to creating a movie from home while in the middle of production. Figuring out all the technical implications of that transition and fixing technical issues for animators from home on the fly was a difficult series of tasks that took the entire team’s focus. I’m proud that we finished the movie on time, from home!”

Ryan Rupel’s KWEST classmates need only look to the sky to discover his identity. A former division chief in the National Security Agency and a chief of strategy in the Intelligence Division of the Pacific Air Forces, Rupel was later tapped to serve in the U.S. Space Systems Command. “

“I led the Space Force’s acquisition of a new software product that aggregates GPS interference data across multiple satellite constellations. This tool compiles data into a 24/7 global heat map of potential GPS jamming, benefiting both military and civilian space industries, including being used for every manned NASA mission.”

WARNER MUSIC’S POINT MAN IN ASIA

No doubt, David Stouck wouldn’t have been pegged as a music mogul during KWEST this summer. A self-described world traveler, Stouck says he spent a decade “scouting and signing pop talent, and building and leading teams” at the Warner Music Group.

“At 27 years old, Warner Music Group promoted me from Senior Manager of Revenue Assurance to Vice President of A&R in Asia,” writes Stouck, who studied Sociology and Chinese Philosophy in college. “This was a newly-created role in the company, and I was tasked with leading the Asia office’s transition from a primarily international marketing company to a domestically-driven business. Over the past 5 years, I have signed over 200 recording artists across 11 markets in Asia and hired a plethora of local A&R staff in the region. My single greatest accomplishment was planning and leading Warner Music’s first Asia Regional A&R conference, bringing together 55 A&Rs from 13 markets for a 3-day conference of panels, training exercises, and music sharing sessions. Witnessing the community I built come together and bridge cultural differences across markets and languages was both personally fulfilling as a leader, as well as professionally impactful helping to move-the-needle for our company’s broader financial goals.”

And Stouck harbors big plans ahead too. “Over the next two years, I hope to bolster my global rolodex and music business acumen with the financial knowledge and entrepreneurial skills necessary to step into a senior leadership position at a major label, or to launch my own company at the intersection of artist services, financial technology, and community-building enterprises.”

A WRITER, AN ARTIST, AND AN ANGLER

Speaking of impact, Taylor Martin’s diligence work as a fund investor helped produce $200 million dollars for Fairview Capital. And let’s just say Mallory Kirby stayed plenty busy at the Advisory Board.

“I developed research on topics like Medicare Advantage strategy and health plan diversification. Across the span of two years, I presented to over 50 executive audiences, from C-suites to industry summits with over 400 attendees. Creating research described by executives as “clear, concise, and actionable” makes me feel that I’ve made a mark, however small, on improving our complex healthcare system.”

Outside of their careers, Candela Kechkian loves to fish and even competed on Clemson’s Bass Fishing team. Ross Blackwell’s passion is drawing and painting – and his art is displayed in museums in both Florence, Italy and Nashville, Tennessee. By the same token, Parinieta Ahuja is a published writer.

“My first novel title, Imaginations Wild, is borrowed from my dad’s first novel. I initially intended it to be a different name, but one day, almost a month before the launch, I woke up and decided I wanted the title to be dedicated to my dad because he is who inspired me to write.”

KELLOGG MBAS – THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

Thus far, the MBA Class of 2026 has found equal inspiration in their classmates. Yumi Daniela Rivas Quintero, an Accenture strategy consultant, describes the community as “genuine and authentic” – responsive and always happy to pay it forward. David Stouck would tack on “down-to-earth” – and his time at Kellogg has included a major revelation.

“Since I’ve shared online that I will be attending Kellogg, many of my past business partners have reached out and shared that they too are alumni of Kellogg – it’s a small world after all!”

Another observation? “Everyone is kind,” adds Henry Long. “People talk about “Kellogg Nice,” but I think it goes one step further to a genuine kindness and desire to get to know each other,” he continues. “Every time I talk with someone, they recommend another person I should talk to — and my favorite interactions have involved meeting someone and realizing each of us have been told 20+ times about each other!”

LEADERSHIP VS. FOLLOWERSHIP

Legend has it, MBAs will participate in over 200 team meetings during their time at Kellogg. While meetings carry a bad rap in some corners, this stat illustrates something fundamental about the Kellogg MBA experience: teamwork is paramount. It is indicative of what Kellogg graduates will face after graduation: working in teams alongside people with very different backgrounds, viewpoints, workstyles, and capabilities. A great way to learn more about the Class of 2026 is seeing how they view their biggest strengths in a team setting.

Joseph Rodriguez, formerly a senior financial analyst, taps into his sports background by always asking, ‘How can I make others better?’. Working in improv taught Henry Long how to stay on task despite any distractions. In contrast, Meredith Griffin isn’t afraid to veer from the well-worn path. Already pursuing her dual JD-MBA at Northwestern, Griffin’s secret power is curiosity – a compulsion to “know the who, what, when, where, and why of everything.” That quality, she says, makes her an asset to any team.

“Curiosity translates into a willingness to question the status quo, actively listen, and view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. I hope that my inquisitive nature, combined with my non-traditional background, will not only help me connect with and learn from my peers but also inspire them to approach problems from fresh perspectives.”

Alongside Griffin’s curiosity, Taylor Martin offers empathy – creating environments “where everyone feels heard and appreciated.” More than anything, the Class of 2026 brings a certain humility to their teams. From his experience overseas, David Stouck has gained an understanding of “cross-cultural and multidisciplinary collaboration.” Through this, he has gained self-awareness – knowing when his “expertise fell short and empower(ing) other to step in.” Ryan Rupel learned a similar lesson during his military service.

“As a veteran, it’s expected that I bring leadership experience, but what’s often overlooked is the followership also required in the military. In Kellogg’s team-based environment, knowing how to follow is just as important as leading. For me, this means drawing out the best in others, recognizing when it’s appropriate for others to lead, and helping to take their ideas across the finish line.”

Next Page: Interview with Emily Haydon, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid.

Page 3: Profiles of 11 Kellogg MBA Candidates.