Sabarinath Sunil

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

“Engineer turned Product Manager with an entrepreneurial instinct, driven by curiosity and a hands-on approach.”

Hometown: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I rewatch the Lord of the Rings trilogy every year.

Undergraduate School and Major: Computer Engineering, Pune Institute of Computer Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: VP Product, Atlascore Labs

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Northwestern Kellogg’s MBAi curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I’ve been in the tech industry for 6+ years and knew that post-MBA I would like to continue working as a product manager, especially with a company or startup focused on AI. While researching various tech-focused MBAs, Kellogg’s MBAi program stood out as being one of the most unique programs in the U.S. for its intersection of AI and business. The curriculum is geared towards helping students understand AI at a deeper level, while utilizing AI to solve business problems. This program felt like the best fit for me to pick up important business skills while staying in touch with the ever-changing landscape of AI and the technology industry in general.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? Evanston is a beautiful town and has the advantage of being very close to Chicago. Moving here was my first time in the U.S., and the comfort of being in a cozy college town while having a major city (and airport!) nearby has been incredibly valuable. After speaking with many international students, it’s clear that Chicago offers a wide variety of stores with snacks, groceries and other items that help us feel at home even when we’re far from our home countries. That sense of familiarity makes it much easier to adjust to a new environment, and I’m genuinely excited about my future growth here.

Kellogg is known for a team-driven culture. What quality do you bring as a teammate and why will it be so important to the success of MBA class? One quality I bring as a teammate is adaptability. I’ve worked on cross-functional teams where I’ve had to wear multiple hats—sometimes as a product owner, other times as an engineer, and often as the bridge between business and tech. These experiences have helped me understand diverse perspectives, contribute where needed, and keep teams moving forward. Kellogg strives to bring together cohorts with a wide range of cultures, experiences, and backgrounds. In such a collaborative environment, having that adaptability will be key to building trust, ensuring inclusion, and growing together with my fellow classmates.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Northwestern Kellogg? Kellogg Worldwide Exploration Student (KWEST) excites me the most because it’s a unique opportunity to form deeper connections with classmates even before classes officially begin. As a student-led international trip, KWEST brings together small groups in a fun, immersive setting where bonds are built quickly through shared experiences. It’s the perfect kickoff to the collaborative culture Kellogg is known for.

What has been your first impression of the Kellogg MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Kellogg story so far. As a part of my school research, I started reaching out to Kellogg alumni and students and I was blown away from the start because of how welcoming, supportive, and genuinely kind everyone was. That experience only got better with each step—from long chats and meetups with other admits before coming to Evanston, to the Engage Dinners that began almost as soon as I arrived.

I had heard a lot about the supportive Kellogg environment, and after meeting both students and alumni, I can confidently say it is very real and is not just a tagline.

One aspect I’d especially like to highlight is how incredible the International Student Experience team at Kellogg has been. They’ve put in so much thought and effort to ensure a smooth transition for international students, conducting webinars on everything from transportation in Chicago to health and safety in the U.S. Further, the three-week American Culture and English Program (ACE) program before the start of the term gave me the chance to meet fellow international students early on and gain insight into the nuances of American culture in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In my previous role at Atlascore Labs, an early-stage tech-consultancy startup, we observed significant interest amongst our clients in GenAI solutions. However, nobody on our team (including me) had any prior professional experience with AI, and most client requirements were vague and evolving.

Driven by curiosity about emerging technologies, I took the lead in exploring this opportunity—I spearheaded our research and execution efforts by working closely with clients to understand their needs and developing several beta products including AI-powered assistants and chatbots. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we were able to close a few projects as a result.

This is my biggest accomplishment because it not only set the strategic direction for the company—but also upskilled the entire team, which is a key driver for long-term growth in this space.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Two years from now, I would consider my MBA experience successful if I’ve built a strong, diverse network of peers and mentors, developed a solid foundation in business fundamentals, and moved into a product management role at a leading tech company. Most importantly, I hope to leave Kellogg with more clarity about the kind of leader I want to be.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA program? Be true to yourself while filling out the application. MBA admissions are truly holistic, and while many applicants tend to focus heavily on their GMAT or GRE score, that’s only one part of the overall profile. The admissions team looks closely at qualities like leadership, empathy, ownership, and your ability to contribute to a collaborative community and create value in your time as a student. Show who you are beyond the numbers and that authenticity can make all the difference.

DON’T MISS: MEET NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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