Akosua Gyan Bandoh

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“Passionate about empowering people, leading with purpose and driving impact through energy, business, sustainability, faith.”

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Fun Fact About Yourself: I own a haircare brand I started during COVID and I serve as the deputy head of the career guidance and outreach committee of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Undergraduate School and Major: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, BSc. Chemical Engineering

I am dual-degree student earning my MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler and my Master of Environmental Management at Duke University.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Amgen, Engineering Intern, Energy and Utilities
Full-time role prior to grad school: Tullow Oil, Well Integrity Engineer

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Energy concentration at UNC Kenan-Flagler stood out to me. As someone deeply passionate about clean energy transitions – especially in emerging markets –- I was drawn to a program that takes energy leadership seriously. The opportunity to learn from faculty with real-world experience, engage in hands-on learning, and build a strong foundation in both strategy and sustainability made UNC Kenan-Flagler the right fit. It’s not just business here – it’s business for impact.

What are some advantages you’ve seen in earning your MBA in Chapel Hill? There’s something special about Chapel Hill’s atmosphere – it’s warm, peaceful, friendly and green. The supportive community makes it easy to build genuine connections. The access to incredible faculty, alumni, and cross-university opportunities adds even more depth to the MBA experience.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagler? I’m especially excited about two communities at UNC Kenan-Flagler: the Carolina Women in Business Club and the Energy Club. As someone passionate about empowering women in male-dominated spaces like energy and engineering, Carolina Women in Business gives me the opportunity to connect with inspiring women leaders, learn from their journeys, and pour into others through mentorship and shared experiences.

The Energy Club also feels like home. It brings together people who are passionate about tackling global energy challenges, and I can’t wait to collaborate on real-world case competitions, industry events, and learning opportunities that push me to grow both technically and strategically.

Together, these two clubs will represent the heart of who I am: a woman committed to purpose, leadership and impact.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my biggest accomplishments was my internship at Amgen, where I worked with the engineering and utilities team within a global healthcare/biotechnology environment. Coming from a traditional oil and gas background, I hadn’t fully realized how critical engineering and energy are to the healthcare sector. Through this role, I contributed to initiatives and projects that supported life-saving operations. The experience expanded my perspective as it showed me how transferable my skills are and ignited a deeper passion for applying engineering and energy innovation in industries that directly improve lives. It was a defining moment that reshaped my career vision and reaffirmed my commitment to purposeful, impact-driven work.

Describe the best memory of your life so far? Why does that moment resonate with you? One of the best memories of my life was landing my first job as an operations engineer on the TEN offshore vessel in Ghana. The excitement of stepping into a full-time role and doing so offshore was surreal. I vividly remember sitting on the chopper, reflecting on the journey that led me there and feeling immense gratitude. Working alongside brilliant industry professionals, taking on real engineering challenges, and seeing the direct impact of my work filled me with pride and purpose. That experience not only shaped my confidence but also affirmed that I belonged in the industry. I carry that memory with so much joy it was a powerful reminder of how far I’d come and how much more was possible.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? Post-MBA, I hope to work at the intersection of strategy, engineering and social impact – whether in energy, healthcare or consulting. I’m passionate about using business to drive inclusive and sustainable solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities. In the long term, I aspire to lead transformative projects and shape policies that expand access to essential services across the globe.

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