Meet Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA Class Of 2026

P&Q: Every January, P&Q publishes a “10 Business Schools to Watch” feature that highlights how schools are raising the bar and enhancing the student experience through innovation or expansion in programming or resources. What is one innovation that sets your school apart from your peer programs and makes you a business school to watch? Why is it so groundbreaking?

Haydon: “Kellogg’s MBAi Program, a joint initiative with the McCormick School of Engineering, stands as a groundbreaking innovation in business education. Established in 2020, this unique, AI-focused MBA is designed for leaders at the forefront of tech and business innovation. The MBAi seamlessly integrates advanced AI technologies like machine learning and data science with strategic business education, providing students with a holistic understanding of the future of business.

The curriculum is meticulously crafted by world-class faculty from both Kellogg and McCormick, ensuring that graduates are not only equipped to understand AI technologies but also to lead their implementation in a business context. This interdisciplinary approach prepares students to tackle complex business challenges in an AI-driven world, making them invaluable assets to leading tech firms, consulting companies and global brands.

The program’s impact is further amplified by its strong industry connections. MBAi students participate in internships with leading tech and business firms and engage in experiential learning opportunities, including corporate projects and industry treks. These experiences enable students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, ensuring they graduate with both theoretical and practical skills.

As AI continues to reshape industries, MBAi graduates will be at the forefront, leading organizations through the current tech revolution and for the emerging technologies that are still to come. This forward-thinking approach positions Kellogg as a business school to watch, as we not only adapt to, but anticipate the future of business education.”

P&Q: What types of programs do you offer to sharpen your students’ soft skills? What areas do you emphasize and how do you instill these skills in your students?

Haydon: “At Kellogg, we recognize that soft skills are not just complementary to technical expertise, but essential for effective leadership in today’s complex, rapidly-changing world. Our programs emphasize the development of these skills through innovative initiatives focused on empathy, morals, and constructive discourse.

One of the ways we instill these skills is by making empathy a cornerstone of leadership development. In 2022, we introduced our Leading With Empathy course, which equips students with the tools to understand and connect with others on a deeper level. Complementing this is a “culture camp” that fosters meaningful personal connections among students before they begin their classes. These initiatives teach students how to listen, respect differing viewpoints, and make informed decisions that consider the emotions and perspectives of all stakeholders.

Another standout course is Moral Complexity in Leadership: An Exploration through Literature, which uses literature as a lens to explore the ethical challenges leaders often encounter. Students in the course engage in deep reflection and dialogue on dilemmas such as greed, self-deceit, and the conflict between personal values and professional responsibilities.

Further enhancing our commitment to these skills, Kellogg recently launched the Center for Enlightened Disagreement, which aims to promote constructive dialogue in an increasingly polarized world. The Center brings together top academics and thought leaders to research and develop best practices for engaging across diverse perspectives. By integrating these insights into our curriculum, we train students to understand and navigate conflicts, harnessing the power of disagreement to drive innovation and organizational progress. Through these programs, Kellogg ensures that our MBAs are not only proficient in business but also equipped with the emotional intelligence and communication skills necessary to lead effectively.”

P&Q: What types of programming – through classroom instruction, extracurriculars, and treks – does your school offer to expose students to country-specific and global business practices? What have students told you were the most educational and fun aspects of these activities?

Haydon: “We offer a variety of programs for students to gain first-hand experience in international markets, which enables them to navigate global business landscapes effectively.

Among our standout programs are the Levy Inspiration Grants and Treks, which are designed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs by immersing them in real-world environments. The Levy Inspiration Grant Program provides students with up to $5,000 to conduct on-the-ground research, allowing them to investigate global problems firsthand. Students share their stories on the Levy Inspiration Grant podcast, and their journeys range from exploring restaurant tech in Latin American markets to learning about insect-based proteins in Australia.

The Levy Inspiration Treks, introduced during the 2023-24 academic year, take groups of 10-12 students to specific markets where they meet with industry leaders and experts. These faculty-led treks foster collaboration among peers and encourage innovative thinking around global challenges. Students have found these experiences deeply inspiring, as they provide a unique opportunity to directly engage with some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Another integral initiative is the Global Initiatives in Management Program (GIM). The program is a cornerstone of Kellogg’s international curriculum, offering students the chance to experience the economic ecosystems, business practices, and market dynamics of various countries. GIM begins with classroom learning—where students gain a foundational understanding of macroeconomic trends, politics, history, and culture—followed by an immersive in-country experience during spring break, where students meet with government officials and business leaders to understand the opportunities and challenges in the region. The in-country portion is highly immersive, with students conducting firsthand research and collaborating on projects that propose solutions to global business problems. Students highlight the opportunity to meet with industry leaders and government officials as one of the most valuable aspects of the program.”

P&Q: What are the most exciting new courses that your school is offering to MBAs this school year? What makes them so unique and valuable?

Haydon: “Strategy and Renewal in Established Nonprofits dives into the unique challenges faced by large, established nonprofit organizations, focusing on strategy and governance. What makes this course particularly valuable is its emphasis on nonprofits that have survived beyond their founder generation and reached a sustainable operating scale, like organizations in human services, the arts, and education. Students explore the predictable cycles of decline and renewal that these entities face, and the strategic mechanisms required to sustain their relevance over decades. Drawing examples from the Chicago and New York metropolitan markets, the course provides real-world insights into how mission-driven organizations can adapt to changing social and economic conditions. The course offers students a nuanced understanding of the sector that is critical for those who are aspiring to lead in the nonprofit space.

Health Systems Management: A Practicum Course with Northwestern Medicine provides students with a hands-on opportunity to work on key strategic initiatives within a major healthcare system. Over two quarters, students will collaborate in small teams with Northwestern Medicine’s administrative staff and leadership, tackling real-world challenges in areas such as healthcare financing, strategy, operations, and innovation. The course is unique in structure, combining project-based learning with lectures and guest speakers, and is particularly valuable for students interested in understanding the complexities of large healthcare systems and their impact on the broader industry.”

P&Q: Who are two new professors who’ve joined your faculty in the past year? What do they teach and how will they be difference-makers in your MBA program?

Haydon: “Lin Fan joins Kellogg as an Assistant Professor of Operations after a year as a Postdoctoral Scientist at Amazon, where he worked on supply chain optimization. His research spans applied probability, data-driven operations, and stochastic processes, with a focus on reinforcement learning and multi-armed bandits. This fall, Fan will teach Operations Management, bringing cutting-edge methodologies and practical industry insights into the classroom. He is passionate about going beyond core material to show students the intricacies that make operations a fascinating and impactful discipline.

Michael Sinkinson, an Associate Professor specializing in Applied Microeconomics and Industrial Organization, joins Kellogg with a rich background in consulting and government service. His research focuses on market structures, particularly in the media, technology, and telecommunications industries. Before academia, Sinkinson served as a Senior Economist on the Council of Economic Advisers in Washington, D.C. This fall, he will teach Core Strategy, using his expertise to connect classical economic frameworks with current events. By applying theory to contemporary business challenges, Sinkinson equips students with a practical lens to analyze firm behavior, competition, and strategic decision-making.

Both of these professors are poised to make a significant impact on our MBA program through their innovative teaching and research expertise. Additional insights from new faculty at Kellogg can be found on our blog.”

P&Q: What types of support does your career center and alumni provide to MBA students? How have these services and relationship made your graduates more competitive in the marketplace?

Haydon: “The Kellogg Career Management Center (CMC) offers unparalleled support to MBA students, empowering them to take ownership of their career journeys and become the most hire-able versions of themselves. From the moment they start at Kellogg, students have access to a wealth of resources designed to help them navigate the complexities of career transitions, whether they are pivoting to a new industry, advancing in their current field, or launching a new venture.

One of the key pillars of Kellogg’s career support is the personalized coaching and learning opportunities available to students. With unlimited, one-on-one career coaching, students receive tailored guidance on a wide range of topics, including self-assessment, job search strategies, resume and cover letter optimization, networking, interviewing, and negotiation. These services are not just for the duration of the MBA program—alumni also benefit from up to five hours of free coaching annually, ensuring they continue to thrive long after graduating.

In addition, Kellogg provides access to a dedicated research specialist who helps students build targeted company lists, find key contacts, and prepare for interviews. This personalized support is complemented by a private job board that features listings ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, giving students a broad spectrum of opportunities to explore.

At Kellogg, we recognize the career search as a transformative experience, one that may involve challenges and even setbacks. However, with the support of the CMC and a powerful alumni and peer network, students are well-equipped to navigate these challenges and emerge stronger and better prepared to achieve their career goals. Our emphasis on partnership and empowerment ensures that students are not just prepared for their first job after graduation, but for a lifetime of career success and fulfillment.”

Click on the links below to accss in-depth profiles of the MBA Class of 2026.

MBA Student	Hometown	Undergraduate Alma Mater	Last Employer
Parinieta Ahuja	Faridabad, India	SUNY Buffalo	ElevateBio BaseCamp
Ross Blackwell	Nashville, TN	Northwestern University	Qualtrics
Meredith Griffin	North Reading, MA	Colby College	Aleta Law
Candela Kechkian	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Clemson University	Deloitte Consulting
Mallory Kirby	Washington, DC	University of Pennsylvania	Advisory Board
Henry Long	Des Moines, IA	University of Notre Dame	Blizzard Entertainment
Taylor Martin	San Antonio, TX	University of Texas at San Antonio	Fairview Capital
Yumi Daniela Rivas Quintero	Weston, FL	Georgia Institute of Technology	Accenture
Joseph Rodriguez	Kyle, TX	Texas State University	Comerica Bank
Ryan Rupel	Greendale, IN	United States Air Force Academy	Space Systems Command
David Stouck	Potomac, MD	Wesleyan University	Warner Music Group