Alexandria Clarke

Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Committed to tackling complex issues with principled conviction and heart to drive meaningful, people-centered impact.”

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m an amateur winemaker! My fiancé and I made a homemade Cabernet Sauvignon & Sangiovese blend in our D.C. townhouse last spring and brought all 27 bottles with us when we moved to California. Sharing it with friends at the GSB has been such a joy — it’s allegedly pretty tasty (or at least not poisonous). Here at Stanford, I’ve leaned into that passion by joining Wine Circle and earning my WSET Level II certification alongside 25 classmates. It’s been a fun way to deepen my understanding of viticulture and the intricate science behind the wine that ends up in the glass.

Undergraduate School and Majors: University of Virginia, Public Policy and Global Security & Justice

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Project Leader

What has been the best part of living in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley so far? I know everyone says this, but the weather is genuinely unbeatable. There’s something magical about sitting outside at a picnic table in January, surrounded by palm trees and sunshine — it’s nearly impossible to be in a bad mood. Coming from the East Coast, being able to hit golf balls at the driving range or play beach volleyball on Stanford’s sand courts year-round is such a luxury. California’s natural beauty also adds so much to the experience. Whether it’s exploring nearby beaches and hiking trails for an afternoon, heading up to Napa and Sonoma to try a new vineyard, or taking a weekend trip to Lake Tahoe to ski, you have an entire world of outdoor adventure within arm’s reach.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Stanford GSB’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose Stanford because I knew it would push me outside my comfort zone and challenge me to think in new, innovative ways. I wanted a place where I could grow as an individual and a leader to become the best version of myself. I’m really looking forward to being an Arbuckle Fellow, which I believe will be a particularly meaningful part of that journey. The opportunity to deeply reflect on my own leadership abilities and mentor next year’s MBA1s – both in teams and as a Personal Leadership Coach – is exactly the kind of stretch experience I desired. It’s a chance to build practical skills that I will utilize in my career for decades to come, while also having the chance to contribute to a community I care deeply about.

What has been the most important thing that you’ve learned at Stanford GSB so far? This is the most international environment I’ve ever been part of, and it’s taught me how much more connects us than divides us. Even when we come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, our shared values, curiosity, and ambition far outweigh our differences. It’s been a powerful reminder of the common threads that run through people everywhere.

Also, I’ve learned that people are much more eager to have deep and meaningful conversations than you’d expect! One of the defining facets of the GSB culture is reaching out to someone you’ve barely met to grab coffee or tea and get to know them better. These conversations often turn into thoughtful discussions about someone’s aspirations for their career, life, or ambition to shape the world. Those impromptu moments, the ones that start lightly but quickly spiral into profound insight, have become some of the most memorable and eye-opening moments of my time at Stanford.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Stanford GSB? I’m currently enrolled in Freedom, Democracy, and Capitalism with Keith Hennessey, which has been the most intellectually challenging and rewarding course I’ve taken so far at the GSB. The class pushes students to form and articulate our views on critical topics like international relations, rights and responsibilities, and the political state of America today – both in lively classroom discussions and weekly memos. The diversity of perspectives, especially from international classmates, enriches the classroom experience. As an elective, the course has also given me the chance to engage more deeply with MSx and MBA2 students, and to learn from Professor Hennessey’s experiences working in Congress and the White House, which adds invaluable real-world context to the topics we tackle. As someone who hopes to eventually pivot into politics and international relations, the course has strengthened my ability to defend my views with clarity and conviction.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: A few years ago, I had the opportunity to work with a recently-created bureau in the U.S. government to redesign the way the United States distributes humanitarian aid around the world across both prolonged and acute crises. After interviewing hundreds of stakeholders from government, international NGOs, and the private sector, our team developed a comprehensive mission statement and strategy for the bureau’s global aid distribution. Knowing that this work would shape how life-saving assistance reaches people in moments of profound vulnerability made the project deeply meaningful. It remains one of the contributions I’m most proud of because it strengthened an institution’s ability to deliver help at scale and, ultimately, improve countless lives.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: Organizing Admit Weekend for the incoming class has been my proudest accomplishment. On the last weekends of January and April each year, we have the privilege of welcoming all the new admits to campus for a few days to give them a glimpse of life at the GSB. Our first Admit Weekend was a huge success, and it was incredibly rewarding to see everything we planned come to fruition. It was heartwarming to witness the energy of our 100+ volunteers and their excitement to welcome our future classmates to the GSB. As an Admit Weekend Chair, getting to play a key role in the shaping of that weekend and being a representative of the current students felt like a meaningful way to pay it forward and help shape the next generation of the GSB community.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Band FOAM! Students and partners across the GSB form bands and perform live at a legitimate music venue in downtown Palo Alto after practicing for only a few weeks. Watching people come together through music and display their impressive talent on stage was unforgettable. The range was astounding – bands performed songs across genres ranging from classic rock to K-Pop to High School Musical. As a lover of live music, it was such a wholesome and uplifting way to celebrate the creativity in our community and cheer on people as they absolutely shined onstage. I’m already counting down the days until the next one!

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant looking to join the Stanford GSB Class of 2028? Figure out your niche. While everyone at the GSB is well-rounded and accomplished, the students who often make the biggest impact are the ones who understand what they uniquely contribute to the community – whether it’s their upbringing, career path, passion, or talent – and let that shine authentically.

Also, take the time to get clarity on your priorities before you arrive. Business school moves quickly, especially in Stanford’s quarter system, and having a sense of what matters most to you will help you make intentional choices once you’re here. That clarity becomes an anchor, allowing you to invest your time and energy in the experiences that will shape your growth the most.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE STANFORD GSB MBA CLASS OF 2027

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