Napatsorn (Minnie) Sirijaratwong

“Ex-auditor, now conquering eCommerce by day and trail running like a beast on weekends”

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

Fun Fact About Yourself: I started trail running in 2022, and I absolutely loved it! I took on a 32K trail race in the mountains (which is considered a 50K for the UTMB index). It took me about 14 hours to complete—yep, 14 hours! Although I didn’t officially finish the race (DNF at the finish line), I pushed myself as hard as I could, and I wouldn’t change a thing. No regrets!

Undergraduate School and Major: Chulalongkorn University; Major: Accounting

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Genfosis, Business Development Manager & Project Manager

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

For me, Seattle has been an amazing place to earn an MBA for two main reasons. First, the city is a hotspot for tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft and a ton of innovative startups. Being here means I’ve had so many chances to connect with professionals in the industry, get hands-on experience, and even explore potential job opportunities with some of the biggest names in tech. It’s a great place to dive into real-world challenges and build relationships that can help shape my career.

But what I really love about Seattle is how easy it is to escape the busy city life. As a mountain lover, I cherish the fact that I can hop in the car and be out in nature—whether it’s hiking or just enjoying the view—within an hour. It’s the perfect balance between the intensity of school and the need to recharge. Having access to both career opportunities and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest has made Seattle a great place to grow both personally and professionally!

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 one key part of Foster’s MBA program that truly stood out to me is the school’s strong emphasis on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). As someone who’s aspiring to be a future leader, I believe that leadership isn’t just about managing a team or hitting business goals—it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels included and valued. The fact that DEI is embedded in every course and throughout the community here at Foster really resonated with me.

For me, it’s so important to be in a place where these values are practiced every day. I want to surround myself with peers who genuinely care about diversity and inclusion, and who are actively working to make those principles a part of their leadership style. Foster’s commitment to DEI feels like the perfect foundation as I prepare for a global leadership role. I truly believe that as a future leader, it’s essential to understand and embrace these values, and I’m grateful to be in a community where they are not just talked about but actively practiced.

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

So far, the Global Business Association (GBA) at Foster has been one of the highlights of my experience. I’ve always loved learning about different cultures, and this club has given me a great way to explore new cultures and share my own. One of my favorite moments was celebrating Diwali for the first time! It was such a fun and eye-opening experience—dancing with my Indian friends and truly immersing myself in the celebration. It was more than just having fun; it was about understanding a culture in a personal and meaningful way.

To me, getting an MBA is not only about preparing for a leadership role but also about gaining a deeper understanding of the world and its people. The GBA has really helped me expand my perspective and appreciate the diversity around me. Experiences like these make me feel like I’m becoming not just a better business leader but a more open-minded and empathetic person—someone who can lead with a broader view of the world.

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

The “We>Me” philosophy at Foster has really resonated with me, especially during the recruiting period for internships. As an international student, navigating the U.S. recruiting process can be daunting. However, what truly stands out is the way my classmates have gone out of their way to support each other. Beyond the resources offered by career management, it’s the peer support that makes the biggest impact. I’ve seen many of my classmates actively helping one another by sharing information and prepping for interviews together. They genuinely care about each other’s success, and this collective spirit is a great example of how “We>Me” is alive in the Foster community.

What also touches me personally is how my friends regularly check in on me, making sure I’m doing okay and offering guidance. It’s a reminder that we’re all here to lift each other up, not just focus on individual achievements. As an international student, I really appreciate the selflessness and consideration that Foster values and it makes me feel like I’m part of something much bigger than just my own journey. The community here truly embodies the idea of improving together and supporting each other in every way.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of was leading the effort to make Shopee Home a key destination for Home and Lifestyle products in Thailand. When I took on this project, I was determined to elevate the category and help make it stand out in a very competitive market. It wasn’t just about running campaigns—it was about building a brand presence that would resonate with people and keep them coming back.

Looking back, it’s amazing to see how strong the Shopee Home brand still is in Thailand’s eCommerce space today. The campaigns we put together are part of what made Home and Living one of the most recognizable categories on the platform. I’m proud to know that the work I did continues to shape how customers see the brand, and it feels rewarding to know that the impact is still being felt. It was a project that pushed me in ways I hadn’t expected, but ultimately, it showed me the power of building something that lasts.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far:

My biggest achievement in the MBA program so far has been my team’s 3rd-place win in the Foster Integrated Case Competition during the fall quarter. This competition allowed us to apply everything we had learned in our first quarter—Finance, Accounting, Marketing, and Strategy—to solve a real M&A business case. We were tasked with determining who Shutterstock should sell the company to in order to maximize synergy and valuation. Interestingly, although our case focused on a potential acquisition, Shutterstock was later acquired by Getty Images in real life, which made the scenario even more relevant to the current business landscape.

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

So far, my best memory in the MBA program has definitely been the Friendsgiving celebration. It was such a special experience to come together with everyone and share a meal. We held a potluck, and each person brought a dish they wanted to share from their hometown. It was incredible to taste food from so many different places—Indonesian, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, Mexican, and more. What made it even more memorable was that we were celebrating Thanksgiving in a completely different way, surrounded by friends from all around the world. It really showed the diversity and warmth of our community here at Foster, and it felt like a big, happy family moment.

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