Soundarya V Yadav

Kelley School of Business at Indiana University

“My name Soundarya means beautiful, and I make sure everything I do lives up to it.”

Hometown: Karnataka, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I started modeling for the fashion… stayed for the dramatic turns and wind-blown hair moments.

Undergraduate School and Major: Visvesvaraya Technological University (JSSATEB), Information Science and Engineering.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, Infotainment Engineer

In the second half of the year, you will be completing an Academy devoted to areas like Marketing, Finance, Operations, Digital Enterprises and more. Which Academy interests you the most and why?
The Business Marketing Academy interests me the most because it’s where innovation meets perception. Having worked with product-driven brands like Mercedes-Benz, I’ve seen how even the best products rely on strategic marketing to connect with consumers, build trust, and stand out in competitive markets. It’s not just about selling—it’s about storytelling, positioning, and creating experiences that resonate.

What excites me about the BMA is the opportunity to travel to cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee to visit headquarters of major B2B companies such as 3M, Medtronic, and Intel. These visits, combined with hands-on consulting projects for industry leaders like Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, and Eli Lilly, provide invaluable real-world experience that will prepare me for my internship and future career.

Beyond these experiences, the ongoing mentoring from the Academy director, career coaches, second-year mentors, and alumni creates a strong support network. The BMA isn’t just an academic program—it’s a community designed to help me grow as a strategic marketer and business leader.

At the beginning of the school year, you will be completing Me, Inc., where you will engage in reflections and exercises to build your personal brand? In one sentence, describe your personal brand and how will it add value to the classmates and future employers? My personal brand is built on versatility, shaped by experiences in music, dance, sports, and modeling, allowing me to bring creativity, adaptability, and energy to any team or challenge.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Indiana Kelley’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What drew me to Kelley is its strong reputation in marketing. I’m looking to pivot into the field, and the program’s hands-on learning, industry-focused curriculum, and access to top marketing talent make it the ideal place to build the skills and experience I need.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Indiana Kelley? As someone new to the U.S., I’m really looking forward to joining Kelley’s Outdoor Club. It’s the perfect way to explore new places, try things like hiking or skiing for the first time, and just have fun with classmates from all over the world. I love that it mixes adventure with connection—and gives us a break from the classroom to build real friendships in a laid-back setting.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Indiana Kelley was the right program for you? Why? The moment I knew Kelley was the right fit came during a virtual info session when a student described how invested the faculty and career coaches were in every student’s journey. It wasn’t just talk—they shared real examples of professors going the extra mile and career advisors offering personalized support well beyond recruiting season. That kind of community and mentorship was exactly what I was looking for. It made me realize Kelley isn’t just a business school—it’s a place where people are genuinely committed to helping you grow, personally and professionally.

And I’ll never forget when one of the admission directors said, “You can’t say ‘Indiana’ without saying ‘India’ first.” That small moment made it feel even more like home.

What has been your biggest achievement in your career? It was recognition received for filing a patent. At MBRDI, innovation was at the core of our efforts. I played a key role in developing a patented solution designed to enhance the safety of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The system utilizes advanced sensor technology to detect animals on the road and automatically steers the vehicle into a safer lane, preventing secondary collisions. This innovation aims to significantly improve road safety by reducing the risk of multi-vehicle accidents in wildlife-related incidents.

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