Anna Capone

Kelley School of Business at Indiana University

“Innovative problem solver, passionate about brand strategy, consumer insights, and social impact, with a love for learning.”

Hometown: Jamestown, N.Y.

Fun fact about yourself: I bake pies as a creative outlet and dream of launching a social enterprise that donates a portion of profits to local organizations addressing food insecurity.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Anderson University – Bachelor of Arts, major: Management, concentration in Nonprofit Leadership & minor: Sociology

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? WealthMD, director of client services

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Kellanova, MBA Brand Marketing Intern, Rice Krispies Treats (Chicago)

Where will you be working after graduation? I’m exploring opportunities that align with my passion for innovation, consumer insights, and strategic growth. My goal is to work in a role that challenges me to think critically, solve complex problems, explore my curiosity, and create meaningful impact.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• As a Forté Fellow, John T. Chambers/IECE Innovation Fellow, and Widiger MBA Fellowship recipient, I have sought out opportunities to lead and make an impact within the Kelley community and beyond.
• I was honored to receive a Kelley Coin for exemplifying Integrity, a core value of the program.
• My passion for entrepreneurship and business innovation led me to win first place with my team in the Elevate Ventures Challenge, where I worked with a venture capital firm to analyze an investment opportunity and provide recommendations.
• As a Johnson Center Fellow, I am helping organize the Vernon Clapp Idea Competition and mentoring students in developing and refining their business ideas.
• I served as a graduate assistant project manager, overseeing consulting projects with a local chamber of commerce and small business development center, guiding undergraduate students in delivering valuable business insights.
• During my time at Kelley, I have also been committed to community engagement and mentorship. As vice president of Food Club, I organized Taste of Bloomington, an event introducing students to local restaurants and businesses.
• As vice president of Net Impact, I led a Winter Clothing Swap to promote sustainability and resource-sharing.
• I have also mentored undergraduate students as a 1Kelley Mentor, helping a women-owned business implement strategic improvements
• A second-year mentor in the Consumer Marketing Academy, guiding first-year MBAs through a real-world marketing project.

These experiences have strengthened my leadership, collaboration, and ability to create meaningful impact in both business and the community.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I was honored to be nominated for and awarded a Kelley Coin for exemplifying Kelley’s core value of Integrity. The Kelley Coin is a prestigious recognition awarded to Full-Time MBA students, faculty, staff, and alumni who embody Integrity, Excellence, Professionalism, Collaboration, and Leadership. Receiving this award was deeply meaningful because it reflected the trust and respect of my peers and faculty. Integrity has always been a guiding principle in my personal, academic, and professional journey, and this recognition reaffirmed my commitment to ethical leadership, transparency, and values-driven decision making.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? At 23, I unexpectedly found myself leading a nonprofit organization after the executive director took a temporary leave of absence. I worked closely with the board of directors, ensured program stability, and supported staff leadership—all while making critical, high-level decisions that kept the organization moving forward. This experience, at such an early stage in my career, provided me the opportunity to navigate executive-level decision-making, build trust with stakeholders, lead under pressure, and adapt quickly in challenging situations. It solidified my confidence in leading with resilience and impact, even in uncertain circumstances.

Why did you choose this business school? Kelley’s emphasis on hands-on learning and real-world impact is what drew me in. I wanted an MBA program that not only built my marketing and strategic skills, but also provided opportunities to innovate and apply them in meaningful ways. Kelley’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Academy has been key in this area, allowing me to work directly with startups and investors to solve real business challenges. Through this experience, I collaborated with a venture capital firm, analyzing investment opportunities and providing recommendations. At the same time, I advised startups on refining their pitches and messaging to better communicate their value propositions.

Beyond the academy, Kelley’s experiential learning approach has shaped my MBA journey. I’ve worked with a small business in Argentina, supported local businesses in tackling real-world challenges, and participated in corporate innovation projects that applied design thinking and consumer journey frameworks.

The combination of a strong academic foundation and practical, hands-on learning opportunities at Kelley has shaped me into a more confident, strategic, empathetic, and well-rounded leader, reaffirming that this was the right place for my MBA journey.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? New Venture Business Planning was the perfect culmination of my MBA journey, allowing me to apply everything I had learned across marketing, finance, operations, and strategy. The cross-functional, hands-on approach made every session exciting as we refined business models, calculated financial projections, and developed market entry strategies with peer feedback.

What made this course especially meaningful was shaping my own social venture concept, transforming a rough idea into a viable business plan with a polished pitch deck and launch strategy. In the process, I received the support of our professor Susan Batchelder, who provided critical feedback, resources, and mentorship beyond the classroom. By connecting me with individuals in her network and offering ongoing guidance, she reinforced my confidence in pursuing innovative ideas. This course shaped my MBA experience in unique ways: sparking curiosity, deepening my expertise in consumer insights and marketing strategy, and ultimately serving as a launchpad for applying an entrepreneurial mindset in real-world challenges.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I actively pursued entrepreneurial opportunities, consulting projects, and leadership roles, all of which helped me grow professionally and personally. However, if I could do one thing differently, I would have leaned further into testing my social venture idea sooner. Kelley is the perfect environment to take risks, with an incredible support system of mentors, peers, and resources. While I explored entrepreneurship conceptually, I’ve more recently started engaging deeply with mentors and industry professionals, refining my ideas through strategic problem-solving and real-world insights. This has been a valuable takeaway that has reinforced my ability to think boldly, take calculated risks, and apply an entrepreneurial mindset—skills I’ll carry forward in any role I pursue.

What is the biggest myth about your school? A myth I believed before starting my MBA was that everyone already had a clear vision of their long-term career goals. As someone who wasn’t 100% certain about what I wanted to do after graduation, I initially felt nervous admitting that to my peers. But once I got to know my classmates, second-year classmates, and alumni, I realized that so many others had been in the same boat when they started the program. Kelley provides an environment where it’s okay to explore, pivot, and dream big, and I’ve found comfort and confidence in brainstorming different career paths with my peers. This open, supportive culture has helped me embrace curiosity and adaptability, knowing that career growth is a journey, not a fixed path.

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? Air (2023) tells the story of how Nike secured its historic partnership with Michael Jordan. The film highlights the power of bold decision-making, brand vision, and the importance of strategic partnerships in business. What stood out most to me was the role of Deloris Jordan, Michael Jordan’s mother, in negotiating a groundbreaking deal that not only benefited her son but reshaped athlete endorsements forever. The movie is a powerful lesson in advocacy, long-term thinking, and understanding one’s true value—all critical skills today for business leaders like me, navigating negotiations and brand-building.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? One of the most exciting ways Kelley has integrated AI into its programming was through our Consumer Marketing Academy spring project, where we had the opportunity to trial Wonder (askwonder.com)—a research tool that uses AI to provide verified sources and detailed summaries on complex topics. This experience highlighted how AI can streamline research and idea generation, allowing us to quickly gather high-quality insights and focus on strategy rather than spending excessive time collecting raw data.

Using AI-powered tools like Wonder reinforced the need to balance AI-driven efficiency with human judgment and creativity. While AI helped us uncover market trends, competitor insights, and consumer behaviors, it was up to our team to interpret the findings, connect insights to strategy, and build compelling recommendations. The biggest takeaway was that AI isn’t just a shortcut—it’s a tool that, when used effectively, can enhance strategic thinking, decision-making, and business impact.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Lívia Bragança Claudio has been an inspiration throughout my MBA journey—not only because of her professional achievements, but because of the way she consistently lifts others up while excelling in her own pursuits. I most admire Lívia for the way she embodies Kelley’s collaborative spirit, resilience, and generosity. She secured one of the most sought-after brand marketing internships at Procter & Gamble, excelled in her role, and earned a full-time offer—a testament to her talent, work ethic, and strategic mindset. Beyond her own success, she is a natural leader and dedicated mentor, always willing to conduct mock interviews, share career advice, and support classmates in their professional growth and success.

Lívia’s work ethic, generosity, and tenacity are undeniable. What makes her even more inspiring to me is that she has achieved all of this while also balancing the demands of having a newborn at home. Instead of stepping back and focusing on her own responsibilities (which she understandably could have done), she has remained fully engaged in the MBA community and supportive to others, approaching every challenge with grace, determination, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting those around her. She is not only a hardworking and talented professional, but also a kind, encouraging, and fun person to be around. Lívia is the type of leader I aspire to be, and I feel incredibly grateful to know her.

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

1) Lead a brand transformation project that shapes consumer perception and drives meaningful growth. I’m passionate about consumer insights, strategic positioning, and innovation and want to help brands evolve in ways that resonate deeply with their audiences.

2) Explore social entrepreneurship and community impact initiatives. I’m passionate about leveraging business as a force for good—whether by launching my own venture, serving on a board, or contributing to an impact-driven organization. I want to apply my entrepreneurial mindset, strategic problem-solving, and consumer engagement expertise to create meaningful, sustainable change.

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

“Anna is a student leader who quietly observes what gaps need to be filled and then steps in to make things happen. She cares deeply about community, both on campus and in Bloomington.

In her roles as president of the Net Impact Club and MBA lead for the 1Kelley Consulting Program, she has led teams of MBA student volunteers and undergraduate business students in supporting local businesses. Her commitment to mentoring her classmates is matched by her ability to listen, lead, and bring out the best in those around her.”

Emily Stern
Director of Student Services and Global Programs, Full-Time MBA Program

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

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