Justin Cottrell

“A leader inspired by community empowerment and all the ways technology enhances everyday life”

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once visited London to watch a Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. The energy of the fans and the electric atmosphere made it an unforgettable experience!

Undergraduate School and Major: Southern Illinois University – B.S. Journalism – Concentration: Advertising & Integrated Marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Associate at KPMG, LLP

What makes Seattle such a great place to earn an MBA?

Seattle has much to offer MBA students. The city offers opportunities in diverse industries and has a strong professional network, enabling students to meet and gain exposure to leaders and entrepreneurs in various sectors, such as retail, sustainability, healthcare, and technology. Seattle offers the perfect springboard for students who embrace community while embarking on careers in innovative, impactful fields.

Aside from your location and classmates, what was the one key part of Washington Foster’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

The program excels at fostering meaningful connections among students, faculty, and alumni. This close-knit community offers personalized mentorship and collaboration, creating a supportive environment that ultimately influenced my decision. With nearly a decade between my undergraduate studies and business school, I sought a program that emphasized academics while cultivating a sense of belonging and unwavering support— all of which are staples of the Foster MBA experience.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Foster?

I’ve truly enjoyed our Monthly Foster TGs (TGIFs). These monthly gatherings include music, food, dancing, and karaoke, allowing us to unwind while enjoying each other’s company. The TGs are sometimes holiday-themed, and the group coordinating them does a fantastic job of ensuring we have fun while creating memorable moments.

Washington Foster operates off a philosophy of We>Me. Give us an example of how you’ve seen that among your classmates so far.

During finals week, several students who excelled in Finance and Financial Accounting went above and beyond by organizing tutoring sessions for fellow students who needed extra support. Our classmates’ willingness to share their expertise boosted the confidence of those attending during a crucial part of the quarter. These efforts demonstrated a deep commitment to selflessness and strengthened the bonds within our cohort. This showed our cohort’s commitment to seeing each other succeed and supporting one another while embodying the We>Me philosophy.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

I had the opportunity to merge my community involvement efforts with my workplace employment. At that time, as the President of the INROADS Alumni Association in Chicago, I collaborated with my employer, KPMG, LLP, to host a community event titled “Accelerating Your Careers Through Community Ties.” This event featured prominent INROADS and KPMG members at the KPMG Chicago office. The panelists shared insights into their journeys, the importance of building a strong network, and what motivates their community engagement after achieving career success. The panel was an excellent opportunity to highlight the power of establishing a professional network while serving your community.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far:

When entering business school, I wanted opportunities to build community with my cohort and seek guidance from Foster alumni. During the fall quarter, I was chosen as a Student Lead for one of the Foster Mentorship Groups. This program connects small groups of full-time and evening MBA students with distinguished Foster alumni in Seattle. In this group, we facilitate meaningful connections and gain invaluable insights into leadership and community building. Being selected for this role meant a lot for me and my ongoing MBA journey.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

My best MBA memory is completing the case competition with my first-quarter teammates. The case competition culminated nearly twelve weeks of learning, growing, developing our leadership styles, and learning how to support each other. We applied the concepts and frameworks from the classes we took during the quarter and presented a strong case to Foster staff and local alumni. This demonstrated how far we had progressed as a team over the quarter and reminded us of the strength of teamwork.

 

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