Raghav Mahajan

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“Impact-driven leader passionate about strategy, community, and creating spaces where people feel welcome and empowered.”

Hometown: Punjab, India

Fun fact about yourself: I once drove three hours to satisfy a craving for Amritsari Kulcha (Stuffed Indian Bread), and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Born in a part of India known for its food and lively spirit, that energy runs through everything I do. I have a sweet tooth (yes, I eat dessert before, during, and after meals), love anything outdoorsy, and tend to say yes to spontaneous adventures. Whether it’s volunteering at a retirement home, brainstorming a new tech startup, or helping friends through anything, I’m someone people can count on, usually with snacks in hand.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Punjabi University, Patiala, Bachelor of Technology, Mechanical Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?
Ultimate Kronos Group, Program Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Paramount Pictures, Los Angeles

Where will you be working after graduation? I plan to work in the technology industry post-graduation, focusing on roles in strategy and product. Currently, I am actively exploring opportunities.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• President, South Asian Business Administration
• Co-founder and Lead Organizer, IndiaCon at USC
• VP of Technology & Communications, Leadership & Organization Club
• AVP of Events, Graduate International Student Club
• AVP of Community, High Tech Association

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I co-founded the first-ever India-focused conference at a West Coast university. The idea for the inaugural India Conference at USC came over a plate of biryani with friends, during a conversation about India’s growing influence in global business, technology, and innovation. We realized that while USC had a strong international presence, there was no dedicated platform to explore India’s role on the world stage. A casual thought quickly turned into a full-scale initiative. I led the effort from the ground up, shaping the vision, aligning student organizations, and securing support from the Deans of USC Marshall, Viterbi, and Mann. We brought together the Consul General of India, industry leaders, investors, and founders for a day of meaningful dialogue and connection. Coordinating across multiple schools, teams, and stakeholders taught me how to lead through influence, communicate across diverse groups, and turn a bold idea into something real. More than just an event, the conference created a space where voices were heard, stories were shared, and a new tradition was born. That is what makes it my proudest achievement.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? During my internship at Paramount Pictures, I evaluated the financial trade-offs between paying top-tier talent upfront versus offering backend participation for a major studio film. The problem was complex and high stakes, as these decisions not only affected studio profitability but also set industry benchmarks. I developed a financial model that compared various above-the-line payment structures with participation point scenarios, running sensitivity analyses across box office projections and partner performance. The model provided the strategy team with a data-driven framework to support talent negotiations and greenlighting decisions. What makes this achievement meaningful to me is not just the scope of the challenge, but the trust placed in me to help solve it. It was a defining moment where I felt my work directly contributed to smarter, long-term decision-making and reinforced my passion for solving strategic problems in high-impact industries.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose USC Marshall because I was looking for more than just a top-ranked program. I wanted a community that would empower me to lead, take risks, and be seen for who I am. As an international student, transitioning to a new country, culture, and classroom felt daunting. From my very first interactions with Marshall students and alumni, I sensed a culture of support, openness, and collaboration. The school’s strong emphasis on global perspectives, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and student leadership made me feel that I would not just learn here, I could build. And I have. Whether it was launching the India Conference at USC, leading SABA, winning the national Paramount Case Competition, or being mentored by classmates and faculty, Marshall gave me both the platform and the people to grow in ways I never expected.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course during my MBA was Founder’s Dilemmas, taught by Professor Hovig Tchalian. This course delved into the critical decisions entrepreneurs face in the early stages of a startup, particularly the “people problems” that can arise within founding teams. We explored topics such as choosing co-founders, dividing roles and equity, and managing relationships with investors. ​What made this course stand out was its emphasis on real-world applications and experiential learning. Through case studies and role-playing exercises, we confronted scenarios that founders commonly encounter, allowing us to develop frameworks for effective decision-making. This hands-on approach not only deepened my understanding of the complexities involved in founding a venture, but also enhanced my skills in negotiation and conflict resolution.​

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite tradition at Marshall was celebrating cultural festivals like Diwali and Holi with the entire MBA community. As the president of South Asian Business Association, I helped organize these events, which brought together hundreds of students, faculty, and partners for evenings filled with food, music, and shared celebrations. What made them so special was the genuine inclusivity. People from all backgrounds showed up in traditional attire, tried new cuisines, and danced to Bollywood music, fully embracing the spirit of the occasion. It reflected what I love most about Marshall: a community that does not just talk about diversity, but lives it.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could do one thing differently, I would have participated in more case competitions. The few I was part of – especially the national Paramount Case Competition where our team won first place – were some of the most enriching experiences of my MBA journey. They challenged me to think strategically under pressure, collaborate effectively, and present ideas with clarity and impact. Each competition strengthened my problem-solving skills and deepened my confidence. Looking back, I wish I participated in more of these opportunities to sharpen my abilities and proudly represent Marshall on larger platforms.

hat is the biggest myth about your school? One of the biggest myths about Marshall is that it is primarily an entertainment-focused school. While Marshall has a strong presence in that space, my experience showed me that its reach extends far beyond. From consulting and healthcare to tech and startups, the opportunities are wide-ranging if you are willing to explore and take initiative. I came in with a tech background and was able to deepen my strategic skill set, lead cross-functional initiatives, and compete in national case competitions. What stood out was how supportive the ecosystem is. The faculty, alumni, and student community encourage you to carve your path, no matter the industry. Marshall is not just about where it is located, but about what you choose to make of your time here.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? What I loved most about Los Angeles was its incredible diversity of people, cultures, ideas, and experiences. As someone who loves exploring new places and trying different cuisines, LA felt like an open invitation to discover something new every weekend. From hidden food spots to hiking trails, the city never ran out of ways to surprise and inspire me. Beyond the lifestyle, LA’s creative and entrepreneurial energy also influenced how I approached my time at Marshall. It is a city where ambition and self-expression coexist, and that mindset shaped both my personal and professional growth.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? USC Marshall has been at the forefront of integrating AI into its curriculum across disciplines. One example is the course Digital Transformation of Business: AI and Smart Contracts, which examines how AI technologies reshape industries and impact strategic decision-making. Courses like this provide practical frameworks for understanding how businesses can leverage AI tools for automation, innovation, personalization, and long-term value creation. Beyond the classroom, professors actively encouraged the use of generative AI tools for research, case preparation, and idea development. This hands-on exposure taught me how to use AI to improve productivity, and how to approach it critically. The biggest insight I gained is that AI is not just a tool, it is a mindset shift. It challenges us to rethink what value looks like in a digital-first world and how human judgment will continue to be essential in guiding its use responsibly.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? It is hard to pick just one classmate because I have been fortunate to learn from so many incredible people, but I would like to give a special shoutout to Marine Galstyan. From our very first project together, I was struck by how effortlessly she blends creativity, clarity, and compassion. She is the kind of person who will push the conversation forward while making sure everyone in the room feels included. Marine wears many hats. She serves as Vice President of Emerging Technology for the High Tech Association, Vice President of Graduate Women in Business, and was a Product Marketing intern at Adobe. What is most impressive is how she leads without ever needing the spotlight. She is calm under pressure, thoughtful in her feedback, and incredibly humble despite the wide range of accomplishments she brings to the table. Whether she is talking about the intersection of art and technology, organizing a speaker series, or mentoring peers who are exploring product roles, Marine always shows up with intention and empathy. I have learned a lot from her about what it means to be a leader who listens first. I admire her ability to stay grounded, curious, and quietly powerful, and I know she is only just getting started.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The first is to lead strategy and operations at a global company where I can drive innovation, shape long-term growth, and help teams navigate complex challenges with clarity and purpose. I’m passionate about bringing structure to ambiguity and aligning business goals with long-term impact.

The second is to mentor and support underrepresented talent entering the tech and business world. So many people helped open doors for me, and I want to pay that forward by building platforms, programs, or networks that create access to opportunity, especially for those who don’t always see themselves represented in the rooms where decisions are made.

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

“Raghav Mahajan has been an invaluable member of the USC Marshall Class of 2025, thanks to his outstanding leadership, bold vision, and unwavering commitment to community building. As the Co-founder and Lead Organizer of the first-ever India Conference (IndiaCon) at USC, Raghav transformed a spark of inspiration into one of Marshall’s most ambitious cross-campus initiatives. The inaugural conference drew over 250 attendees and featured influential leaders from entertainment, investing, consulting, and startups, marking a milestone moment for Marshall’s global engagement.

Raghav’s ability to unite student organizations, secure institutional support, and engage high-profile speakers demonstrated not only his strategic acumen but also a remarkable capacity to lead through influence and collaboration. He exemplifies what it means to build something bigger than oneself—with clarity, care, and conviction.

His impact reaches far beyond a single event. As President of the South Asian Business Association and an active contributor across multiple student organizations, Raghav champions a people-first leadership style rooted in empathy and inclusivity. He listens deeply, acts decisively, and fosters connection across diverse communities, creating spaces where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

What truly sets Raghav apart is his ability to see possibility where others see limitation. His vision for IndiaCon wasn’t just about representation, it was about building legacy, sparking meaningful dialogue, and deepening global connection. He leaves behind not only a successful event but a blueprint for globally minded, community-centered leadership at Marshall.”

Tonisha Jester-Morris
Director
Office of Culture and Community Success

Interim Program Director
Full-Time MBA Program Office

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