Andria Monique Pourkarimi

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Redemptive entrepreneur, endometriosis warrior and faith-driven innovator empowering women through digital health and policy reform.”

Age: 34

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Fun fact about yourself: I love researching the origins of names. Monique means “advocate,” which feels fitting. I’ve turned my personal health journey into a mission to help millions of women feel seen and heard, all over the world. After battling endometriosis for years and undergoing multiple surgeries, I realized how many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed when it comes to reproductive health. That’s what led me to launch Dr. Clara, LLC.

Undergraduate School and Degree: The University of Texas Pan-American (now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in Honors Studies, Legal Studies and Philosophy.

Where are you currently working? I founded Pourkarimi & Associates, LLC, a financial consulting agency and independent insurance brokerage. The business specializes in healthcare, life insurance, annuities, and voluntary benefits. We provide personalized consultations, coverage analysis, and policy enrollment services tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

I am also the co-founder of Dr. Clara, LLC, a digital health platform in development, which is designed to support women diagnosed with endometriosis by improving communication, care coordination and access to timely, informed treatment. Using AI-driven tools and a patient-centered approach, Dr. Clara aims to close the gap between what women experience and how providers respond.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Co-founding Dr. Clara with my best friend and fellow MBA classmate Alanis Quezada has been the most meaningful and fulfilling work of my career so far. As someone battling endometriosis, I’ve experienced the struggle of navigating delayed diagnoses and feeling unheard. Through interviews with other women, we’ve seen just how widespread and urgent this need truly is. Building a platform that centers around women’s voices, provides tools for better care and challenges the status quo in reproductive health is both a personal mission and a professional calling.

Why did you choose this school’s Online MBA program? I chose the Online MBA program at Rice Business because of Rice’s reputation. They are consistently ranked #1 in entrepreneurship, and I wanted to learn from the best. I knew I needed a program that combined academic rigor, innovation, and flexibility. Fortunately for me, Rice Business delivered on all of the above and more.

What was your favorite part of being in an Online MBA program? The community. Despite being virtual, I felt deeply connected to the Rice family. I was actively involved through various student leadership roles and often joked, “I’m not your typical online MBA… I’m always on campus!” I made it a point to attend conferences, events, and anything that was appealing. More than anything, I loved the connections and lasting friendships I built along the way.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? My MBA experience was far more rigorous than undergrad. Post-COVID, online learning became a global norm, and Rice Business did a phenomenal job delivering concepts in an engaging, high-impact way. As with anything in life, you get out what you put in. I showed up, stayed involved and made sure I got the most out of every moment.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Someone shared this advice with me when I started two years ago, and I will pay it forward and do the same: ‘The academics will come. You will take Finance, Managerial Accounting, Economics; that’s to be expected — it’s what you signed up for. But here’s the real advice: Be intentional about building relationships. The MBA lasts two years, but the friendships last a lifetime. Online doesn’t mean isolated. Manage your time well, get plugged in and find your people!’

How has your online education helped you in your current job? Rice Business has been ranked #1 in entrepreneurship for six years and you best believe I took full advantage of all the resources offered to MBA students. From courses like New Enterprise to resources offered by the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie Lab) and Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, I sought out every opportunity to grow. This education gave me the confidence and tools to build Dr. Clara from the ground up, engage with partners, and pitch investors.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Not a traditional promotion, but more like a bold career transformation. When I started the program, I was working in retail management at Costco Wholesale. During the MBA, I experienced two transformations: the launch of Dr. Clara and the expansion of my independent insurance agency.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? I chose the Online MBA because I needed the flexibility. I have a mortgage to pay and couldn’t afford to step away from work. Rice Business’ program gave me access to a top-tier education while allowing me to grow my career and remain financially independent. It was the only path that made sense, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? I believe the administration at Rice Business is so intentional about providing us with a curriculum that is both relevant and forward-thinking. It’s clear they’re committed to equipping us with the tools, insights and knowledge to leverage data and AI ethically and effectively in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. “Introduction to Generative AI in Business” with Kathleen Perley and “Creating the Data-Driven Business” with Dr. Jeffrey Frey have been two of my favorite courses. Try auditing these classes, if you can.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: It varied depending on the workload, especially around midterms or finals. On average, I dedicated approximately 20–25 hours per week. This includes asynchronous videos, live sessions, study groups, readings and case studies.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? As I look ahead, I feel nothing but gratitude and anticipation. Long-term, I plan to pursue a dual Ph.D./JD in public policy to deepen my impact at the intersection of health, law and advocacy. I believe my best days and biggest contributions are still ahead.

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