Shubharika Sharma

Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame

“Tech leader with a strong focus on product innovation, resilience, and driving meaningful change in business.”

Hometown: Delhi, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love Artichoke pizza from New York so much that I have my friends bring it for me and eat it every day I’m in the city!

Undergraduate School and Major: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: S&P Global, Product Management Specialist

When you think of Notre Dame, what are the first things that come to mind? How have your experiences with the Mendoza program thus far reinforced or upended these early impressions? When I think of Notre Dame, I think of a place where values and leadership go hand-in-hand. Coming from a technical background, I always believed in using technology to create impactful products. Mendoza has expanded that belief by showing me how business decisions can align with ethics and create meaningful change. The ‘Grow the Good in Business’ philosophy has been a driving force for me, especially as I learn how to balance technical innovation with social responsibility. My time here has reinforced that my passion for building tech-driven solutions can also contribute to a better world, and that’s exactly what I aim to do—create products that not only drive success but also make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Aside from your classmates, what was the one key part of the Mendoza MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What really drew me to Mendoza was its focus on developing well-rounded leaders who combine business acumen with a strong sense of ethics and responsibility. As someone who has worked in tech and product management, I’ve always been focused on innovation and efficiency. But I knew that to truly make an impact, I needed to expand my perspective on leadership. Mendoza’s commitment to fostering leaders who can make decisions with both a strategic and ethical lens was exactly what I was looking for.

Moreover, the strength of the alumni network was a key factor. The opportunity to connect with a community of values-driven professionals who are eager to share knowledge and foster growth is a major advantage as I aim to lead with purpose and impact.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Mendoza? The Grow Irish Week was by far the most impactful experience for me at Mendoza. This week-long program focused on Data Storytelling and Strategic Communication, where I had the opportunity to enhance my ability to communicate complex information effectively. The course taught me how to craft compelling narratives from data, making it easier to connect with different audiences. This skill is essential for leadership, and I’m excited to apply what I learned in both academic and professional settings. The hands-on, immersive nature of the week made it one of my most memorable learning experiences so far.

Additionally, the Leadership Launch sessions during orientation provided a solid foundation for internalizing the core values of leadership, helping me recognize the many opportunities to drive positive change in both personal and professional contexts. This combination of practical skills and values-based leadership has deepened my understanding of what it means to lead with purpose.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment was leading the implementation of a Mock Server for functional testing at work, which streamlined the testing process for a team of 20+ developers and testers. This initiative allowed teams to simulate downstream services, enabling them to conduct tests in isolation and reduce interdependencies. By automating the testing process, we cut down the testing time by 40%, improving overall productivity and reducing errors in the development cycle. This project not only enhanced operational efficiency but also fostered greater collaboration across teams, enabling faster releases with higher accuracy.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest accomplishment has been stepping out of my comfort zone—moving countries, embracing a new culture, and meeting diverse people, all while excelling academically. It’s been a rewarding challenge that’s helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Mendoza is known as a purpose-driven MBA program that asks students to “Grow the good in business.” What is your mission and how has Mendoza been helping you realize it? My mission is to lead with resilience, empathy, and purpose—using my experiences to make a lasting, positive impact in both business and the broader community. After facing personal challenges, I realized that leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about understanding others, stepping up in difficult times, and balancing multiple priorities with purpose. Mendoza’s focus on developing ethical, empathetic leaders has been instrumental in helping me realize this mission. The program has provided me with the tools to be adaptable, to lead with a sense of responsibility, and to focus on forming genuine connections. Through Mendoza’s curriculum and culture, I’m learning how to integrate these lessons into my professional life to drive meaningful change, much like Father Sorin rebuilt his vision after adversity.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memory so far was attending a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Professor Michael Meyer. As international students far from home, many of us had never celebrated Thanksgiving. Professor Meyer invited us to his home, offering a warm, welcoming experience that truly reflected the Notre Dame community. It was a reminder of the fellowship and support here, and meeting his family added a personal touch to the experience. I left feeling incredibly grateful for both the meal and the connections I’ve made.

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