Maria Ben

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

“Investor at heart, explorer in spirit. Navigating markets, meaning, and human stories, one day at a time.”

Hometown: Kozhikode, Kerala

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have two dogs named Dow and Jones!

Undergraduate School and Major: Ashoka University, Economics and Finance Major

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Omidyar Network India, Investment Analyst

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Ahmedabad’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One of the primary reasons I chose IIMA was for the faculty here. In conversations with alumni and colleagues, one insight consistently stood out: at IIMA, you learn from the best. The academic rigor doesn’t just prepare you for a career; it also prepares you for life. That’s something I’m already beginning to experience firsthand! On so many occasions I have been awestruck by the insights and nuances that the professors bring to classroom conversations and dissections of cases.

Beyond IIMA, I had offers from ISB and Oxford’s Saïd Business School. But IIMA stood out as the clear choice. Alongside its academic strength and stellar faculty, I was drawn to the smaller cohort size, which fosters deeper and more meaningful peer connections. What truly set it apart was the depth of experience in the classroom. Every student brings a minimum of four years of professional experience, adding real industry perspective and domain expertise. This richness goes far beyond test scores. It’s something I see play out every day, be it in classroom discussions and focus groups, where each person contributes unique insights from their field, making conversations far more real and enriching.

Between Oxford and IIMA, my conversations with alumni of both institutions made the distinction clearer. IIMA offered stronger academic depth, and since I plan to build my career in India, its legacy, brand recognition, and more contextual curriculum made it the better long-term fit.

More than anything, this decision was also deeply personal. While I’ve grown up largely in Kerala, I spent three formative years in Ahmedabad when my father was posted here for work. I remember visiting the IIMA campus as a seven-year-old and being completely fascinated. The dream of studying here was sown early and returning now as a student feels like a full-circle moment.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Ahmedabad? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? My favorite course at IIMA has been Strategic Human Resource Management taught by Prof. Rajesh Chandwani. It completely shifted my perspective on HR, from a function often reduced to hiring and organizing team events, to being a strategic pillar that directly influences organizational performance. The course unpacked the complexity of HR subsystems (incentives, structure, and leadership), their interplay with external environment, and their importance in driving business outcomes.

More importantly, it gave me a new lens to evaluate startups. I now realize that many startups and companies I’ve come across didn’t fail due to flawed business models alone. Instead, it was because of misaligned people strategies and poor culture stewardship. As someone aspiring to take on leadership roles, this course was a powerful reminder that people decisions are business decisions, they can make or break a company.

What makes Ahmedabad such a great place to earn an MBA? Ahmedabad is a city where the pulse of commerce meets the soul of celebration.

What fascinated me most during my orientation was IIM Ahmedabad’s own origin story. Though the institute was initially meant for Mumbai, it was the vision of Gujarati entrepreneur Kasturbhai Lalbhai, scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, and the generous support of Ahmedabad’s business community that brought it here. That entrepreneurial spirit and legacy of institution-building continues to define this city today.

You see it in how Gujarati businesses dominate India’s commercial and financial landscape: pragmatic, risk-taking, and deeply rooted in community. It’s a mindset that teaches you as much beyond the classroom as it does within it.

And yet, Ahmedabad isn’t all business. From the colorful skies of Uttarayan to dancing through Navratri, this is a city that knows how to work hard and celebrate harder. With stunning architecture, heritage stepwells, and late-night cycling along the Sabarmati, Ahmedabad offers an MBA experience that’s both intellectually rich and culturally vibrant.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I consider breaking into Omidyar Network India, a global venture capital fund focused on impact, as one of my biggest career achievements, especially given my non-traditional background.

In college, I co-founded Ashoka University’s student-managed investment fund and led the Investments Club. I was always drawn to the startup ecosystem and passionate about building a career in investing. However, the VC landscape in India is highly competitive and often favors candidates from IITs or top consulting firms. To make my way in, I made a series of deliberate career pivots starting in financial advisory at KPMG, transitioning to investment banking at PwC, and finally moving into venture capital.

This journey has been incredibly fulfilling. I’ve had the opportunity to work across seed to growth-stage fundraises, build investment theses, and lead full-cycle diligences in sectors like financial inclusion, agritech, and climate tech. I’ve worked closely with founders, spent time on the ground in farms and small towns across India, and explored emerging industries like EVs and carbon markets. I also contributed to a sectoral report on improving agricultural outcomes for smallholder farmers in collaboration with BCG.

Through it all, I’ve seen both the highs and lows; fallen deals, the emotional rollercoaster of startup building, and the satisfaction of portfolio wins. More than the transition itself, what I’m most proud of is proving that purpose, consistency, and perseverance can take you far, even in the most selective and structured industries – when the odds aren’t in your favor.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My biggest achievement as an MBA student so far has been getting elected as the Career Affairs Secretary of my batch. Earning the trust of my peers within a month of joining while still getting to know the cohort, was very humbling and encouraging.

As part of the 61st Student Council of IIMA, I oversee the activities of 12+ career clubs spanning domains like product management, consulting, marketing, investing, and entrepreneurship. These clubs include students across cohorts across PGP, PGPX, and PhD, with around 40–50 active members in each. My role involves providing strategic direction, fostering collaboration, and supporting clubs in designing training and skill-building initiatives beyond the classroom, ensuring students are better prepared for job roles and recruitment processes. It’s been a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the larger IIMA community.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Our favorite hangout spot is, without a doubt, the dorms. Whether it’s spontaneous karaoke nights, card games that go on for hours, or celebrating birthdays and milestones, the dorms are where the best memories are made. It’s where we unwind, connect, and just be ourselves after the intensity of classes and case discussions.

And when we manage to steal some time away, the Sabarmati riverfront is a close second. Late-night cycling rides along the river have become a quiet ritual. It’s the perfect way to breathe, laugh, and take in the simplicity of life beyond campus.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation, I hope to continue building my career in private market investing at a fund that places impact at the core of its thesis. Having spent the last few years working across early-stage and growth-stage investments, I’m keen to take on more strategic, decision-making roles within a fund whether that’s leading deals, managing portfolios, or helping shape investment strategy.

That said, I also remain open to stepping into an operating role at a mission-driven startup. Being part of the zero to one journey, from the other side would offer invaluable perspective that I could carry back into investing. In the long term, I aspire to take the entrepreneurial leap and launch my own investment fund.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Ahmedabad? The only advice I have is to be mentally prepared. It won’t be easy, especially the interviews. The panel, often comprising of professors, is known to be rigorous and will push you hard to think on your feet. One key component of the interview is the extempore, which can feel deceptively simple at first but expect intense cross-questioning. While you can prepare for common topics, nothing fully prepares you for the kind of spontaneous, witty, and often curveball questions thrown your way. So brace yourselves!

The best approach is to be calm and stay true to your point of view without being overly defensive. Furthermore, know your story: why an MBA, why now, and why IIMA and be ready to back it with clarity and conviction.

And above all, be authentic. That’s what truly leaves an impression!

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AHMEDABAD MBA CLASS OF 2026

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