Nelo Thembeka Mnguni

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College

“I go for everything with intensity, maybe too passionately at certain things but it’s me.”

Hometown: Nongoma, Zululand, South Africa

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a huge sports fan, especially tennis and Serena Williams in particular. I believe her legacy transcends sports. On a whim while in London, I decided to camp out for two nights to get tickets for Wimbledon’s Centre Court and see her play live. I ended up using a musty old sleeping bag and tent, but it was all worth it because she won the championship.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Johannesburg, Accounting

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Nedbank Limited, Associate Principal, Mining & Resources Finance

What has been your first impression of the Tuck MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Tuck story so far. My initial impression of the Tuck MBA community has been incredibly positive. Despite our diverse backgrounds and origins, we’ve formed a close-knit group where we genuinely look out for one another’s well-being. As for alumni, I’ve found Tuck and Dartmouth graduates to be very responsive, whether through LinkedIn or in person, thanks to our shared experience and insights. I have been lucky to attend a few lunches with highly accomplished individuals.

There are so many great memories that stand out. If I had to choose, I’d say I was initially apprehensive about joining a preassigned study group. However, this has turned out to be one of my most rewarding experiences at Tuck. Shoutout to Study Group 333! It’s been a source of support and encouragement, and despite our differences, we all share a strong ethos of inclusivity and mutual support.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose Tuck for its unmatched ratio of resources to students, made possible by its small class size and robust support system. With Tuck offering only one MBA program—the full-time MBA program—faculty and staff are more approachable, enhancing the experience for the intimate cohort.

What excites you the most about coming to live in Hanover? What is the one activity you can’t wait to do? Playing Tripod hockey and learning to ski. Growing up in South Africa and having never been around snow or ice is daunting – but I’m so excited. I decided to join Tripod to expand my network, and I chose the toughest job of them all: being a GOALIE. My first match as a goalie, the team had to almost carry me to the net. We won the match, and I saved some pucks!

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Dartmouth Tuck? Tuck offers an immersive course—Global Insight Expeditions (GIXs)—where students get to travel to different countries such as Kenya, Japan, Argentina, and more to gain firsthand exposure to diverse business environments. I’m hoping to broaden my understanding of international business practices, and how one can deploy capital in a sustainable and impactful model.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment has been persevering against the odds, having come from a rural area in South Africa where challenges like HIV/AIDS, limited infrastructure, and studying by candlelight are common realities for students. Growing up in a community where respecting elders meant avoiding direct eye contact or open disagreement, I was quite shy. However, during my first year of university, I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone by promoting peanut butter in supermarkets, determined to overcome my shyness. Now, I confidently offer a firm handshake and have had the privilege to work on some of Africa’s most impactful projects at my previous employer.

One project especially meaningful to me was the $300 million modernization of the border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, which involved a partnership with the government and other financial institutions. Before the project’s completion, four people tragically lost their lives waiting to cross the border in December 2020. I strongly believe that no one’s life should be at risk due to inadequate infrastructure. Working on projects like these aligns with my core values of creating measurable impact, and I aspire to continue making a difference on an even larger scale.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I hope to strengthen the relationships that I will have built in my two years at Tuck. I also hope to embody Tuck spirit of community through my next role.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA program? Stay true to your story, journey, and goals. Discover what drives you and what sustains your determination when times are tough. Reflect on what resonates with you in Tuck’s mission and values. View this process as an investment in yourself—ask questions, attend information sessions, and, above all, believe in yourself.

DON’T MISS: MEET DARTMOUTH TUCK’S MBA CLASS OF 2026