Shannen Lawson

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

“Life keeps changing and so do I. I’m always ready to turn chaos into opportunity.”

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love escape rooms. They are one of my favorite activities and a sure-fire way to vet a first date.

Undergraduate School and Major: Xavier University of Louisiana, Bachelor of Science in Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Bain & Company, Consultant

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? Chicago is an amazing place to earn an MBA because it is a major business hub with strong networks across consulting, finance, tech, and social impact. The city’s growing startup and venture capital scene makes it especially exciting for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. At the same time, Evanston offers Kellogg students a close-knit, supportive community where you can focus, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships. Being just a short train or car ride from the city means you get the best of both worlds: a vibrant urban environment and a welcoming campus atmosphere. That unique balance is a large part of what makes the Kellogg experience so special.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What really stood out to me at Kellogg was the Growth & Scaling Pathway. I’ve always been comfortable in planning mode, breaking down problems and mapping out strategy, but I want to get better at execution. This pathway feels like the perfect way to build that muscle, especially in fast-paced, high-growth settings. I also loved how involved the faculty are in the startup and investing world, as well as how plugged in Kellogg is to Chicago’s broader venture capital and private equity ecosystem. It feels like the kind of place where I can learn by doing and take the next step as a builder and leader.

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 adaptive leadership. I’ve seen the value of this most clearly in moments where things didn’t go according to plan. I’ve navigated complex cases at Bain, figured out how to connect with a group of teenage athletes as a volleyball coach, and learned the inner workings of a national sports organization during my externship at the United States Tennis Association. In these situations, I had to listen first, stay flexible, and lead with empathy to bring people together and move things forward. That mindset will be especially important at Kellogg, where we’ll all come in with different experiences and perspectives. I know how powerful it can be when people feel seen and heard in a team setting. I want to help create that kind of environment – one where everyone can show up fully, push each other to grow, and ultimately do more together than alone.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Northwestern Kellogg? I’m most excited about Kellogg’s Black Management Association because I see so much opportunity to make an impact. There’s room to grow the community and attract more Black students to Kellogg, something that I’m passionate about. I want to help build a stronger, more visible network that supports students throughout their journey and amplifies their voices. To me, BMA is not just a club; it’s a chance to shape the culture and create lasting change.

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. My first introduction to the Kellogg community was at Day at Kellogg, where I immediately found a group of admits whom I genuinely connected with. What stood out even more was how the soon-to-be second years in BMA took us under their wings and welcomed us with open arms. It felt like family from the start.

The most memorable experience so far, though, was at Consortium OP. There were over 50 incoming Kellogg students there, and we brought that same familial culture with us. We had small group dinners, went on a walk with nearly 30 of us, and of course, enjoyed the nightlife together. It was incredible to build real friendships with people from so many different backgrounds and to feel a sense of belonging so early on. We’ve stayed connected all summer and are already planning events before school even starts. That kind of community is what makes Kellogg special.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’ve worked on a lot of meaningful things, but one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is successfully pivoting into consulting pre-MBA. It was a major milestone for me, both personally and professionally.

First, coming from a blue-collar background, I find there’s often a strong cultural emphasis on stability, staying with one company through retirement is seen as a badge of honor. Leaving a great job to take a leap into something unfamiliar took real mental resilience, especially when it went against what many people around me viewed as the “smart” choice.

Second, I didn’t have much exposure to the consulting world. I had heard of MBB (McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company) anecdotally, but I had never heard of a case interview. I started prepping just two weeks before my Bain interview, threw myself into the process, and ultimately earned an offer. Since then, I’ve built a fulfilling career here. That leap into the unknown remains a defining moment in my journey.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful?Looking ahead two years, a successful MBA experience means diving into new challenges that help me grow in ways I haven’t yet imagined. It’s about expanding my network with classmates and mentors who inspire me and becoming part of a community that lasts beyond the program. Most importantly, I hope to gain the confidence and clarity to take meaningful leaps in my career, whether that means launching something new or leading in unexpected ways. Success will come from growing both personally and professionally while building a foundation for lasting impact.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA program? Be authentic. Kellogg values empathetic, self-aware leaders, so do not tell the story you think they want. Tell your own. Share what shaped you, how you lead, and where you hope to grow. Realness resonates here. In my own application, I did not lead with my job title or resume. I focused on the lessons learned through coaching volleyball, managing peers, and doing the self-reflection those experiences demanded.

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

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