Dolapo Adegbite

University of Georgia, Terry College of Business

“Naturally curious about everything, outspoken when it matters, open to new perspectives and reliable when it counts.”

Hometown: Ibadan, Nigeria

Fun fact about yourself: In 2022, I had one of those “You won’t believe it” moments when I ran into Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at the Doha International Airport. With only 20 minutes before my flight, I took the chance to have a quick but unforgettable chat. The one thing I regret? Not getting a selfie to prove it!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Covenant University, Nigeria – BSc. Geophysics; University of Edinburgh/Heriot-Watt University – Joint MSc. Petroleum Geoscience

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Schlumberger (now SLB), Geophysics Project Lead

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Bain & Company, Atlanta

Where will you be working after graduation? Bain & Company, Atlanta

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• President – Terry Graduate Consulting Club
• Vice President (Careers and Academics) – Georgia Blacks in Business Graduate Association
• Georgia MBA Graduate Honors Recipient 2025
• Bain & Company BASE Scholar
• Terry Leadership Fellow
• MBA Admissions Ambassador
• MBA Career Ambassador
• Literacy Mentor – Books for Keeps (Athens, Georgia)

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Winning the Georgia Kickstart Fund grant for SquadSave, a startup I co-founded with my sister, is my proudest achievement in business school. Beyond the excitement of winning a grant as a first-time pitcher, this moment symbolized a compelling milestone in my journey. Prior to my MBA, public speaking was a hurdle that filled me with anxiety, and I entered the program committed to confronting this fear head-on. Pitching SquadSave in front of a large audience was not just about presenting a business idea, it was about proving to myself how much I had grown. Winning the grant validated both the product’s potential and my transformation into a more confident, fearless version of myself.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Leading Nigeria’s first-ever 4D ocean bottom node seismic processing project with Schlumberger, a groundbreaking technology in the oil and gas industry, has got to be one for the books. What makes this especially meaningful to me is not just the technical complexity of the project, but the fact that I was able to drive this achievement so early in my career. Seeing its far-reaching impact was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my passion for innovation and problem-solving in the most complex industries.

Why did you choose this business school? My decision to choose Terry was driven by three key factors: its proven return on investment, strong academic reputation, and the close-knit community. Pursuing an MBA was a significant commitment, so I sought a program that not only delivers measurable career impact post-MBA, but also provides opportunities to build valuable knowledge and skills through meaningful connections with classmates, professors, and the program office. The icing on the cake for me is the opportunity to know everyone in my cohort on a first-name basis, fostering a truly collaborative and personalized experience.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Dr. Nikhil Srinivasan was easily my favorite professor. He taught Data Analysis and Management, with a focus on SQL and Tableau, and he completely flipped the script for me on programming. Before business school, I had struggled to learn programming on my own, but his real-world applications made complex concepts click. Dr. Srini’s engaging approach to SQL and Tableau made even the toughest concepts easy to grasp and immediately useful. Thanks to him, I went from dreading programming to mastering it.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business, taught by Prof. Marisa Pagnattaro, was hands-down one of the most intellectually stimulating courses I took during my MBA. Coming from a STEM-heavy background, I never expected a law-related class to captivate me, but it turned out to be a highlight of my MBA journey. The course was far from just memorizing legal principles. We analyzed real-world case studies, debated current legal and regulatory challenges in business, and explored landmark cases that shaped history. I was amazed by how law and business intersect in such powerful ways. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the regulatory landscape and sharpened my critical thinking, equipping me with the skills to approach situations from multiple perspectives – something I’ll carry with me throughout my career in consulting.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? The MBA Formal at Terry was definitely a highlight of my time in the program. It wasn’t just a night to let loose – it was the perfect opportunity for first- and second-year MBAs to step away from the classroom and celebrate our close-knit community. What made it special was the perfect blend of my favorite things: amazing food, great music, and of course, a lively atmosphere. While I never broke any records with my dance moves during formal, I definitely had a blast on the dance floor!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I wouldn’t change a thing about my MBA experience. If I had a do-over, I’d make a greater effort to connect with students from other business schools. Expanding my network beyond Terry would have exposed me to even more diverse perspectives and professional opportunities.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? The charm, ease of life, and deep sense of community. Coming from the fast-paced, traffic-heavy city of Lagos, Nigeria – where planning your route is a survival skill – I have come to appreciate the ease of getting around here. In Athens, you can get from point A to B in 20 minutes or less, making life simpler and more spontaneous.

But more than convenience, I really love the feeling of community in Athens. It’s all about the Dawgs here – whether it’s the students, the athletes, or even the buildings, there’s an undeniable sense of pride and belonging. The shared energy, warmth, and university traditions make Athens more than a college town, it makes it feel like home.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? This is a bit of an unorthodox choice, but I think Succession brilliantly reflects the realities of business. Although the show is centered on a family empire, I believe it highlights universal corporate challenges like succession planning at all levels, (or the lack of it), conflicts of interest, and how weak corporate governance can lead to disastrous decision-making.

Beyond boardroom battles, Succession also explores the struggle to keep up with shifting markets and the enormous influence of public perception on a company’s value. It’s a master class in what happens when power, ego, and business collide, serving as a reminder that a strong, transparent brand reputation isn’t just important, it’s essential for long-term success.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Like many MBA candidates, I have relied on tools like Excel and Notion to stay organized during the job search. But with AI transforming the way we work, the Terry MBA program has taken things up a notch by integrating CareerOS into its programming to further support career management. This AI-powered platform makes networking smarter, helps students connect with hiring managers, and brings structure to the job search process.

Leveraging the CareerOS tool has shown me how AI can refine a cumbersome process into a streamlined one. It takes the guesswork out of managing applications and outreach, making everything feel more strategic and less overwhelming.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Mukul Chaudhary is truly a remarkable classmate I admire. He’s an incredible fountain of knowledge whose insights never fail to impress. Whether in class discussions or casual conversations, his perspectives across a wide range of topics are truly impressive. I always look forward to his viewpoints in class, and learning from him has been one of the highlights of my MBA experience. Beyond his brilliance, he is also generous with his knowledge and always willing to help others grow. There’s no doubt he’ll continue to thrive after the MBA, and I can’t wait to see all the great things he will accomplish.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Become Partner before turning 40: Reaching Partner is a huge goal for me. It’s not just about reaching a milestone, it’s about stepping up to lead and make a real impact in global business. I’m excited to keep building relationships, growing my skills, and working hard to hit that goal.

2. Serve on the board of directors for a Fortune 500 company: Serving as a board member in a top company would be a rewarding experience to contribute my ideas while learning from the best in the industry. I love the idea of being part of a team that helps shape big-picture strategy, and I’m excited about the challenge of making real impact on a global stage.

What made Dolapo such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Dolapo demonstrated a strong ability to apply the law to complex fact scenarios, including considering managerial implications. In class discussions, she frequently addressed ethical considerations beyond legal obligations. Her insights added significant value, especially when she provided strategies for handling challenging questions. The depth and richness Dolapo brings to her work makes her an outstanding role model for other students.”

Dr. Marisa Anne Pagnattaro
Vice President for Instruction & Senior Vice Provost for Academic Instruction
University of Georgia

DON’T MISS: THE 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST MBAS: CLASS OF 2025