Katie Lee

UCLA, Anderson School of Management

“I’m a passionate community builder who grows organizations by forging lasting connections.”

Hometown: Westminster, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a certified yoga instructor.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine, Psychological Science

Advanced Degree: University of California, Los Angeles, Master’s in Public Health

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Kaiser Permanente, Administrative Resident

UCLA Anderson is founded on the Three Pillars: Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change. Which pillar resonates most with you and why: Share Success is the pillar that drew me to Anderson in the first place. When I joined the Healthcare Business Association (HBA) at Anderson as the VP of Strategic Partnerships, I was the only MPH student on the board at the time. Despite being an outsider to the traditional MBA cohort, I was welcomed with open arms and experienced the pillar of shared success firsthand. My Anderson peers not only embraced my background in public health, but also actively sought to integrate my perspectives into our discussions and initiatives. This collaborative spirit led to several successful partnerships with healthcare organizations, significantly broadening the reach and impact of the HBA.

Through these experiences, I realized that Anderson’s culture of sharing success isn’t just about celebrating wins together—it’s about creating an environment where everyone’s unique strengths are valued and leveraged to achieve collective goals. Whether it was brainstorming sessions, panel discussions, or networking events, my friends at Anderson consistently demonstrated their commitment to supporting one another’s growth and success.

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA? Los Angeles, also known as “Silicon Beach,” is a hub for innovation, particularly in tech, entertainment, and healthcare. This environment offers MBA students endless opportunities for networking, internships, and hands-on experience right in our backyard. Aside from the professional advantages, beaches, mountains, and deserts are all within reach. Whether you’re road-tripping with classmates for a weekend trip to Las Vegas (as part of Anderson’s tradition), hiking in the mountains, or enjoying a peaceful afternoon oceanside, Los Angeles offers plenty of opportunities to recharge.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of UCLA Anderson’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Parker Career Center’s resources played a significant role in my pre-MBA journey. Long before the academic year began, I was already engaged with Parker, receiving personalized support that extended far beyond what I anticipated. For instance, the Parker team has provided exceptional guidance, particularly when I was applying for fellowships such as the Forté Foundation and The Consortium. The support I received was instrumental in securing these fellowships, which not only advanced my career prospects but also helped me meet some of my closest friends. The Parker Center also facilitated connections with Anderson’s robust alumni network, who have been incredibly generous with their time and insights, guiding me through every aspect of the MBA process—from recruiting to navigating student life. This network embodies the collaborative spirit that Anderson is known for, and it’s reassuring to know that I have such a strong community behind me.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at UCLA Anderson? I’m excited about joining identity clubs such as The Women’s Business Connection and the Asian Management Student Association. The Women’s Business Connection caught my attention through their Velocity conference, which featured notable female founders and executives like Candace Nelson, Founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes. I’m eager to be part of a community that champions women’s advancement in business and provides opportunities for networking and mentorship. Similarly, the Asian Management Student Association appeals to me as it connects with my background, offering a chance to engage with my community and enjoy cultural activities. Professionally, I’m drawn to the Management Consulting Association to practice mock case interviews with seasoned second-year students, and my peers. I’m looking forward to developing camaraderie with my classmates as we embark on the internship recruiting process together.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Growing up in an immigrant household instilled in me the invaluable quality of resourcefulness, teaching me to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. This mindset allows me to maximize existing opportunities and identify new ones. A prime example of this is the partnership I established between the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). As an MPH Candidate, I organized speaking engagements and networking dinners that facilitated interactions between CHLA executives and students. This initiative led to the launch of a monthly career series, providing students with valuable recruitment insights and resulting in several internship and job opportunities. Ultimately, my background has taught me that success is about leveraging what you have, and I am excited to bring this perspective to Anderson.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of the most significant accomplishments in my career has been optimizing the surgical workflows at Kaiser Permanente’s Medical Center in Southern California. This project was designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of surgical scheduling and supply chain operations across 16 surgical departments. A critical component of the project’s success was deliberate and effective communication among various stakeholders, including the main hospital, the ambulatory surgery center, surgeons, and surgical schedulers. I facilitated regular meetings and workshops to ensure that all parties were aligned and that their input was considered. By fostering open communication, I was able to build trust and collaboration among the different teams, which was essential for implementing the necessary changes. Addressing the identified gaps and optimizing surgical scheduling led to reduced wait times and increased patient throughput. Additionally, improvements in supply chain operations resulted in more efficient use of resources and reduced costs. This was a rewarding experience as it directly impacted the quality of care delivered to patients through an enhanced surgical process.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I aspire to transition to management consulting, specifically in healthcare and life sciences. Throughout my time working in the provider space, I have gained valuable insights into the operational challenges and opportunities within healthcare organizations. This has fueled my passion for improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes on a larger scale. My long-term vision is to contribute to the transformation of healthcare systems, ensuring they are more accessible, patient-centered, and of the highest quality.

DON’T MISS: MEET UCLA ANDERSON’S MBA CLASS OF 2026