Makiko Shimada

Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Curious investor and global explorer – finding undervalued stocks and the best ramen spots worldwide!”

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love spontaneous travel. On a whim, I’ve found myself in Morocco one weekend, China the next, and France after that. My friends often joke that they never know where in the world I am.

Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Tokyo, Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: EQT Partners, Private Equity Associate (Private Equity, Tokyo, 2023-2024), Asset Value Investors, Japan Investment Analyst (Public Equity Activist Investing, London, 2021-2022)

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Stanford GSB’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?  One of the key reasons I chose Stanford GSB was its uniquely tailored approach to leadership development. Through my experience in activist investing and private equity, I constantly grappled with the challenge of motivating management teams to take bold strategic actions. I wanted to further refine a leadership style rooted in trust and empathy—one that inspires rather than imposes.

Stanford stood out to me because of its comprehensive, hands-on approach to leadership growth. Courses like “Touchy Feely” (Interpersonal Dynamics) focus on self-awareness and relationship-building, while Leadership Labs provide a structured environment to experiment with different leadership styles. Beyond the classroom, Stanford offers invaluable resources such as Personal Leadership Coaches and Communication Coaches, ensuring that leadership development is not just an academic exercise but an ongoing, deeply personalized journey. This tailored and immersive approach made Stanford GSB the ideal place for me to evolve as a leader.

What has been the most important thing that you’ve learned at Stanford GSB so far? The most important thing I’ve learned at Stanford GSB so far is the significance of understanding both my own core values and those of others. In our Ethics (Leading with Values) class, we are asked to reflect on and articulate our core values as the course progresses, culminating in a final exercise where we share our insights and see how our classmates define their own values. Understanding my own core values has helped me maintain consistency in my decision-making as a leader and build trust with those around me. At the same time, recognizing and appreciating others’ values has allowed me to foster stronger relationships and contribute to a more effective and cohesive organization.

Before coming to Stanford GSB, I hadn’t given much thought to my core values in a structured way. However, here, it’s a topic that naturally comes up—even in casual conversations with friends at the GSB Dome or during coffee chats. These moments have made me realize that values aren’t just abstract concepts; they shape how we connect with others with authenticity and navigate challenges.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Stanford GSB? The courses I’ve enjoyed the most so far at Stanford GSB have been Leadership Labs and Negotiations, both of which are highly interactive and simulation-based.

Leadership Labs is structured around small squads of six students, guided by a fellow. In each session, we engage in simulations where we experiment with different leadership styles. Before each class, we set a personal goal—something we want to test in our leadership approach—and receive feedback from our squadmates and fellow. One of my personal goals was to practice saying “I disagree” in discussions, something I hadn’t actively done before. It was an eye-opening experience to measure its impact and refine my approach. Beyond the leadership practice, the close-knit nature of the squad also fostered strong relationships through mutual feedback and support.

Negotiations, as the name suggests, is a course entirely built around negotiation simulations. It’s not just about winning a negotiation but also about improving relationships in the process. A key takeaway for me was the importance of considering both “What should a person like me do in a situation like this?” and “What should the other person do in a situation like this?” This class deepened my understanding of norms, identity, and how different perspectives shape negotiations.

These simulation-based courses have been some of the most rewarding experiences at Stanford GSB, reinforcing why I chose this program. They provide a safe space to experiment, make mistakes, and grow as a leader, and I’m eager to take more courses like these.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates you’ve met so far? Give an example why this true.

The qualities that best describe my MBA classmates are their humility and generosity—they have incredibly diverse backgrounds and talents, yet never feel the need to show off. Instead, they deeply respect and support one another, embodying a true “giver” mindset.

For example, when I was overwhelmed with coursework, my kitchen mate and friends cooked for me multiple times (they are genuinely so kind!). When I was feeling down, friends took the time to have matcha with me and just listen. When I had a failure, my friend took me to Japantown in San Francisco. When I struggled with a class, a classmate spent hours patiently explaining concepts to help me understand. I have been lifted up by my classmates in so many ways, and I hope to give back in small ways as well.

Another defining trait of my classmates is their “Can-Do” mindset. The environment at GSB fosters the belief that anything is possible—whether starting a business or making a bold career move, my peers make me feel like I can do it too. Their ambition is not intimidating but rather inspiring and empowering.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment was my experience working at Asset Value Investors in London, where I was actively involved in investing in Japanese companies and engaging with management to enhance corporate value.

While working with portfolio company executives, I experienced both collaborative and adversarial dynamics—there were moments of strong partnership, but also emotionally-charged situations when engagements became contentious. Despite these challenges, I’m truly proud that I was able to contribute to improving corporate value in Japanese companies. Seeing tangible results from our engagement reinforced my passion for active investing and thoughtful corporate dialogue.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Being able to cook a little for myself…! (Before my MBA, I had zero life skills.)

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memory as an MBA so far was when seven of my classmates visited Japan during winter break. We had an amazing time exploring Tokyo—shopping, sightseeing, and, of course, eating lots of sushi. Then, we headed to Nagano, where we went skiing, soaked in hot springs, and bonded over late-night walks through snowy roads.

I was incredibly happy to share my home country with my classmates and help them experience Japan firsthand. It made me realize how much I enjoy introducing Japan to others, and I hope to create more opportunities like this in the future. At the same time, this experience also inspired me to visit my classmates’ home countries and explore their cultures more deeply!

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant looking to join the Stanford GSB Class of 2026? My biggest piece of advice is just apply—you won’t get the opportunity unless you take that first step. I know firsthand how daunting the application process can feel. I was particularly unsure about my GRE Verbal score as a non-native English speaker, but in the end, I’m so glad I took the leap.

For Stanford’s famous essay question, “What matters most to you, and why?”, I encourage you to be as authentic and vulnerable as possible. Whether your story is professional or deeply personal, take the time to reflect and uncover a narrative that only you can tell. The more genuine and introspective your essay is, the more compelling it will be.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE STANFORD GSB MBA CLASS OF 2026