Devesh Udasi

University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

“Driven, curious, passionate about sustainability, and always looking for ways to create meaningful impact.”

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Fun fact about yourself: I am an independent film reviewer and have some of my work published in an Indian newspaper

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Mumbai, Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Alpha Plus Technologies Pvt. Ltd. – Manager (Business Development, Alliances & International Business)

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? While I did not intern, I was working with the Center for Sustainable Business (University of Pittsburgh) and as a Technology fellow with Aerotech, Inc.

Where will you be working after graduation? Currently Interviewing – TBD!

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Community Work

• Berg Center Ethics Fellow with SnackEVER – Assisted this Pittsburgh based, woman-owned, family-owned, SMB with a B2B and B2C market expansion strategy

Leadership

• President – Katz Corporate Sustainability Club (KCSC)
• Board Member – Student Executive Board (S.E.B)

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I have had the privilege to work on some of the most intellectually challenging projects at Pitt Business. In Fall 2024, I worked with the Center for Sustainable Business as a Sustainability Fellow for Core Natural Resources, and as a Consultant for Avatar DPS. While these projects had stark differences in scope, they shared a common thread of strategic market analysis and stakeholder management. In both cases, I led a market and technology analysis project for their innovative initiatives, focusing on market identification, tech SWOT analysis, and feasibility studies for distinct markets.

Simultaneously, my consulting work required a deep dive into market research and go-to-market strategy development, blending strategic insights with execution. Successful execution of both these projects, while simultaneously juggling multiple case competitions, leadership responsibilities at KCSC and S.E.B, and academics, is what I would term as an achievement I am most proud of.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of the achievements I’m most proud of in my professional career is being the sole representative for setting up Alpha Plus Technologies’ operations in North America (Toronto) and the APAC region. Working directly with the CEO, I led the charge on our market entry strategy; everything from brand positioning and pricing to resource allocation and executing go-to-market plans for two new banking products. This role was a mix of strategic planning and on-the-ground execution.

I represented Alpha Plus in all international engagements, building relationships with potential clients and key partners. I had to navigate different market dynamics, cultural nuances, and regulatory landscapes while ensuring our offerings truly resonated with local needs. I also kept close coordination with cross-functional teams, from product development to marketing, to align our strategy with execution seamlessly.

What made this experience special was the autonomy and trust I was given. It pushed me to be resourceful, adaptable, and proactive in a high-stakes setting. The whole journey reinforced my confidence in driving complex initiatives and solidified my passion for combining strategy with execution to deliver real impact.

Why did you choose this business school? While there were multiple factors involved in my decision to come to Pitt, one specific attribute I would highlight is Pitt’s Experiential Learning programs. Pitt offers tremendous opportunities for students to get involved with clients on-field, either through projects or academic endeavors.

Throughout my time here as a Dual MBA and MS in MIS candidate, I have participated in opportunities provided by Pitt to work and interact with organizations such as Deloitte, Accenture, Chamber of Commerce, and Coca – Cola. In fact, Pitt provided me with an opportunity to travel to Japan for a period of two weeks for the Global Research Practicum (GRP). During this time, I visited multiple companies, engaged with executives and alum, conducted field research, and more than anything, experienced an important international culture. This trip strengthened my ability to think globally significantly.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? I value and cherish my time at Pitt more because of the people I had the opportunity to interact and build inter-personal relationships. My time at Pitt has been influenced significantly by faculty, staff, and students alike. One individual who has had a tremendous impact on my academic and professional pursuits is Professor Tom Davis. As an aspiring consultant, I faced a few hardships during this transition from business development to consulting. Professor Davis not only helped me overcome those, but he also guided me towards the right direction. He is the kind of individual who values his students and goes above and beyond to assist them. First and foremost, he makes theoretical topics easy to understand while also helping us visualize them in real-world scenarios. He makes sure all students are collectively aligned to achieve a common goal, which is to learn and apply. He also helped me build a network with industry leaders, for which I am highly grateful.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Two courses really stood out to me during my MBA: Organizational Behavior with Professor Nisha Nair and Sustainable Business Strategy with Professor Marcel Minutolo. While the subjects were different, both had a common thread of building resilience—one through leadership and the other through a sustainability lens. These classes were incredibly interactive, pushing me to think critically and engage deeply. They helped me understand the importance of crafting strategies that prioritize resilience, whether it’s leading teams through change or navigating complex sustainability challenges. I gained valuable insights into low-context versus high-context environments and learned how to adapt to the shifting dynamics of the world. Both courses had a lasting impact on my perspective, emphasizing the idea that strong leadership and sustainable thinking go hand-in-hand when building strategies that can withstand uncertainty.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event at Pitt Business was definitely Fall Ball. It’s one of those rare occasions when almost every student shows up—not just to network, but to truly connect, dance, and celebrate together. What I loved most was how it showcased Pitt’s incredible diversity. You’d see a blend of cultures coming together, from the music and dancing to the conversations and camaraderie. The atmosphere is all about breaking the ice and building genuine, long-lasting relationships with your peers, the very people you’ll be studying and collaborating with for the next two years. It felt like a real turning point, where acquaintances turned into friends and where the sense of community became so much stronger. It was more than just an event. It was the start of meaningful connections that would carry through our MBA journey and beyond.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could go back and do one thing differently during my MBA, it would be to invest more time in building relationships with alums and industry leaders connected to the school. The value of that network is immense, not just for career growth and opportunities but also for gaining insights and guidance from people who’ve walked this path before.

Looking back, I realize how open and supportive they are. Many of them are genuinely willing to help, whether it’s through advice, mentorship, or connecting you with the right opportunities. I did connect with some, but I wish I had been more proactive in reaching out, learning from their experiences, and building those connections earlier on. It’s a resource that goes beyond the MBA years and can have a lasting impact on your professional journey.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Since I was new to the country, I didn’t come in with specific myths about the school. However, I did have a bit of uncertainty about how Pitt Business navigates the intersection of different cultures, something that worried me before I joined. That concern was immediately put to rest in my first semester. The school and staff genuinely go above and beyond to create an inclusive environment where diverse cultures not only interact but thrive together. From academic initiatives to extracurricular events, there’s always an opportunity to connect, learn, and share perspectives. The S.E.B. (Student Executive Board) also plays a huge role in making sure everyone feels welcome and that there’s a platform for all voices to be heard. It’s been amazing to see how intentional the community is about building bridges between cultures and fostering an atmosphere of growth and collaboration.

What did you love most about your business school’s town?  To begin with, I love Pittsburgh!

From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed, not just at the university but throughout the entire city. People here are incredibly kind-hearted, whether it’s the cab drivers, the PRT bus operators, the friendly staff at Trader Joe’s, or anyone else I’ve crossed paths with. There’s this unspoken culture of kindness that seems to be woven into everyday interactions. It’s as if everyone shares a common purpose: to make others feel at home.

That warmth and openness have made a huge difference in my experience, helping me settle in and truly enjoy my time in this beautiful city.

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? For me, Margin Call, directed by J.C. Chandor, best reflects the realities of business. Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, the movie offers a raw and surreal look into how businesses operate under pressure. What stood out to me was how it showcased the interactions across different levels of hierarchy within an organization. It was fascinating to see how a junior analyst could uncover a major problem, how senior leadership interpreted that problem as a strategic opportunity, and how that insight was eventually translated into a business strategy. It highlighted the flow of information and decision-making from the ground level all the way to the top.

While the undertone of the movie is undeniably grim, it also illustrates how diverse groups of people, each with their own motivations and pressures, can come together to navigate a crisis.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? While I haven’t seen AI directly integrated into the curriculum at Pitt, what stands out is the school’s focus on having open dialogue around the topic. It has been woven into classroom discussions and case studies. Many of the case studies and classroom conversations heavily emphasize the importance and opportunities AI presents.

I’ve attended numerous conferences and events, where the conversation revolved around driving positive impact through the responsible use of AI. From professors to staff to students, everyone discusses AI regularly, reflecting on its potential impact across industries. What I appreciate most about this approach is that it prepares us for the challenges that AI will bring, while also making us aware of the opportunities it presents.

These discussions have equipped me to take on topics surrounding ethics and AI in case competitions, allowing me to critically examine the role AI plays in business and society. It’s been invaluable in broadening my perspective and helping me understand how to approach AI from a responsible, ethical standpoint.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The MBA classmate I most admire is Ghassan Salah. His active participation and unparalleled dedication to his academic and extracurricular pursuits make him stand out. He holds numerous leadership roles, including being the President of both the Student Executive Board and the Katz Operations Club, and the Vice President of the Katz Corporate Sustainability Club. He is also a Center Associate at the Center for Sustainable Business and a PA Robotics & Technology Fellow at PathVu. His involvement in these roles reflects his passion for creating a positive impact within the community.

What I admire most about Ghassan is his ability to build strong relationships with both students and staff, always making time to support others. In team discussions and case competitions, his professional experience shines through, providing invaluable insights and driving the team forward. Despite his busy schedule, Ghassan is always a great friend, truly caring about those around him. His dedication to both his studies and community is truly inspiring, and his contributions make him an exceptional classmate and leader.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. To become a full-time movie reviewer and run my own creative studio with a team of movie critics. I have a deep passion for film and storytelling, and I would love to turn this passion into a career where I can review movies, share insights, and build a platform that brings together a diverse group of critics who can contribute their unique perspectives.

2. To motivate more people from my background, particularly the Sindhi community, to explore opportunities they may not have thought were accessible to them, through platforms like TED Talk.

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

“Devesh Udasi is a leader who has transformed the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business through his dedication to sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. His purposeful leadership has made a lasting impact on both the academic and extracurricular aspects of the Katz community, making him a strong candidate for MBAs To Watch for 2025.

Devesh’s ability to apply his knowledge to complex, real-world business challenges is one of his most notable strengths. His success in case competitions highlights his strategic thinking, collaboration, and ability to present impactful solutions under pressure. Winning the 10-minute presentation round at the 2024 International Business Ethics Case Competition (IBECC) demonstrated his skill in distilling complex issues into actionable insights. Across numerous additional competitions, he has applied his expertise in sustainability and innovation to create solutions that balance efficiency with corporate responsibility. His participation reflects a commitment to continuous growth and delivering solutions with meaningful impact.

Beyond the classroom, Devesh has made a mark as a leader driving change in his community. As a Board Member of the Student Executive Board and President of the Katz Corporate Sustainability Club, he has led initiatives that empower peers to thrive and learn. Through various fellowships and fieldwork, Devesh has applied thoughtful problem-solving to business complexities, including developing market plans for Consol Energy’s coal-to-product innovation and go-to-market approaches for SnackEVER. His work with Aerotech Inc. on AI-based products and with Pittsburgh-based companies through the Center for Sustainable Business further demonstrates his commitment to aligning business goals with emerging technologies and sustainable frameworks.

What truly sets Devesh apart is his well-rounded intellectual curiosity and compassion. He has demonstrated this through his role as an independent film reviewer of World Cinema, with his work featured in Indian newspapers, and his volunteering efforts at the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Devesh embodies the values of Poets & Quants’ MBAs To Watch —academic excellence, transformative leadership, and a commitment to driving positive change. His ability to merge business expertise with a focus on sustainability and cultural awareness makes him an invaluable asset to his cohort and the broader business world. With great confidence, I endorse his nomination, knowing that Devesh’s future achievements will be nothing short of exceptional.”

Katie Bennett, M.Ed.
Associate Director for Student Engagement, Graduate Programs
University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

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

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