Madison Meredith

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Curious, driven and always excited for the next adventure.”

Hometown: Porterville, California

Fun fact about yourself: I am about to reach a 400-day streak on Duolingo (but I am not sure I know much more Hindi than I did a year ago…)

Undergraduate School and Degree: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, B.S. in Fruit and Crop Science

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Chateau Ste Michelle Winery

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Microsoft: Redmond, WA

Where will you be working after graduation? Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Foster Marketing Association, Co-President

Vice President of Career Development for the Class of 2025

Full-Time Prospective Student Outreach Coordinator

Dean’s Merit Fellow

Dean’s Scholar (Top 10% in the class of 2025)

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?  For the past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving as one of the Foster Marketing Association’s (FMA) presidents. In that time, we’ve hosted 15 events and grew our membership by almost 50%. But more than the numbers, the most rewarding part has been meeting students who came to Foster with no interest in marketing, introducing them to a field I love, and then watching them land interviews, internships, and jobs. The best part? When they come back and tell me how FMA has changed their outlook on their career post-MBA.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My biggest achievement in my career has been my ability to adapt and pivot. With a plant science degree, I dove headfirst into a job in sales straight out of undergrad before transitioning into marketing roles within the wine industry—both of which I knew nothing about! Now, as I move into the tech industry, I take pride in my willingness to embrace new opportunities (and do so with a positive attitude!).

Why did you choose this business school? One of the biggest factors in choosing Foster was around the community. Coming from a larger undergraduate experience, I knew I wanted something more close-knit, a place, where I could truly get to know my classmates and build meaningful connections. Even before I officially chose Foster, after being admitted, multiple second-year students went out of their way to reach out, meet for coffee, and share their experiences. Their genuine support and willingness to welcome me reinforced that this was exactly the kind of community I wanted to be part of—one where I could grow, contribute, and pay it forward.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor thus far is Mark Forehand from the marketing department. I’ve had the chance to interact with him both as our Foster Marketing Association advisor and in his Brand Strategy class. It’s so clear how much time and effort he puts into his students—and how passionate he is about the topic of marketing. After his classes, countless students told me they finally understood why I love marketing so much. He not only made the subject click for them, but also reaffirmed the career path for me.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Financial Accounting continues to stand out in my mind. Having never taken accounting in undergrad, I initially found the subject intimidating due to the bad reputation it seems to get. The class, however, was delivered in such an engaging way that it really transformed my perspective, pushing me out of my comfort zone and igniting a new-found interest.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Football season is a standout time of year at Foster, across UW, and throughout Seattle, making it one of my favorite traditions. There’s something about heading to the stadium, spending the day with classmates, and being immersed in Husky pride that brings everyone together. The energy is unmatched, and it’s a great reminder of what makes this community so special.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? With so many class options, it’s always tough to decide which ones to take. If I could do things differently, I would have pushed myself to take one or two of the classes I initially avoided simply because they intimidated me. The MBA experience is all about stepping outside your comfort zone and challenging yourself, both in business and in personal growth. While I did that in many ways, I know there is always more to learn.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Foster has earned a reputation as a top choice for those looking to break into tech (which is 100% true, Foster is fantastic at that.) What often gets overlooked is how much more Foster excels at beyond tech. Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to explore top consulting firms and travel to the Bay Area to meet with CPG companies. The idea that Foster is only for tech is a myth; there’s so much more the program offers.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? I know it’s basically what every Seattleite will say, but it really is a unique city. You’re right in the heart of everything the city offers (great food, live music…), but within just 40 minutes, you can be on a stunning hike in the Cascades [mountain range] or going whale watching off a nearby island. My time at Foster has been incredible, but what makes the experience special is being able to explore the beauty of the surrounding area and make the most of the weekends.

What movie or television show  best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? I recently watched The Diplomat, and I believe it perfectly captures two key truths about business: the importance of relationship management, which is far more complex than you’d expect, and the need for agility, as things can change in an instant.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? In my marketing courses, I’ve seen a shift over the past year as AI has become increasingly integrated into the curriculum. Whether in product management, brand strategy, or pricing strategy, AI has been a constant topic of discussion, especially as marketing is often cited as one of the functions that will be most impacted. One key insight that stood out to me is that you don’t need to be an AI expert yourself. Instead, success will come from mastering how to harness AI-driven productivity gains, enabling you to remain competitive and adapt as the landscape evolves.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Over the past two years, one person who has influenced my perspective on business is Deepa Anant. As she graduates with a dual MBA/MPA degree, Deepa has challenged me to think more deeply about how we can integrate our personal values into our professional lives and do work that truly impacts others. Whether through her volunteer efforts with Challenge 4 Charity, where she helped raise over $150k for local causes, or her research with the START Foundation on global health, Deepa has taught me that business and values can, and should, go hand in hand.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? My top two professional bucket list items (at least for the next few years) are to do the following:

1. Bring the growth mindset that I’ve cultivated at Foster into this new industry; aiming to stay curious and remain dedicated to learning as much as I possibly can.

2. Give back to the communities I’m part of. My MBA experience, along with the people I’ve had the privilege to support and those who have supported me, have left such an impact on my journey that I want to make sure I continue to pay that forward in this next phase of my career.

What made Madison such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Madison Meredith has been a strong partner with MBA Career Management in her capacity as a student career liaison and as the Co-President of the Foster Marketing Association (FMA) student club. Through these two channels, Madison models servant leadership and has elevated the FMA to be one of the strongest student clubs on campus, providing connections to the Seattle business community for its members.

Her partnership with my team has led to innovations in career programming to support graduating students during a tough employment market. Madison advocates for her peers and has earned the trust and respect of her classmates as they come to her with difficult feedback, and she passes this on to me with grace and diplomacy.

I am excited to see what Madison will accomplish when she starts her new role at Microsoft as a product marketing manager. I am also delighted that she’s staying in Seattle so we can regularly welcome her back to campus as an alum.” 

Kay Dawson
Assistant Dean, MBA Career Management
Foster School of Business, University of Washington

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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