Shivani Sharma

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

“Consultant during the week, happiest on a mountain trail.”

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve completed over 50 treks and helped grow a women’s trekking community from three friends to over 100 members. When I’m not planning my next trek, I unwind by painting tote bags, and I’m always on the hunt for a horror movie or podcast that can actually scare me.

Undergraduate School and Major: VIT University, Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Technology Consultant at Microsoft

What makes Atlanta such a great place to earn an MBA? Atlanta offers the perfect mix of opportunity and community. It is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., and I love that I will be surrounded by people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Beyond the classroom, the city is home to Fortune 500 companies & a fast-growing tech ecosystem, which means there are endless opportunities to learn, network, and explore different career paths. What excites me most is that Atlanta is still growing and evolving. There is a sense of momentum and ambition that makes it an inspiring place to live and learn. For someone looking to build a global career at the intersection of technology and strategy, I cannot think of a better place to earn an MBA.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Emory Goizueta’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The sense of community was what made Goizueta stand out to me. I believe the intentionally small class size plays a big role in creating that culture. Every student and alum I spoke with was generous with their time and honest about their experience. Those conversations never felt transactional. They felt like people genuinely wanted to help. I knew I wanted an MBA where I’d be challenged in the classroom, but also surrounded by people who would celebrate each other’s wins and support each other through the tougher moments. That feeling stayed with me long after each conversation and ultimately made my decision an easy one.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Emory Goizueta? I’m especially excited about Graduate Women in Business and Goizueta Gives. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible women leaders who challenged me to take on bigger roles before I thought I was ready. I’d love to pay that forward by mentoring, building community, and helping create the same support system for others. At the same time, Goizueta Gives resonates deeply with me because service has always been a constant in my life, from leading digital literacy workshops for women to volunteering on maternal and child health initiatives in India. For me, business is at its best when it creates opportunities for others, and I’m excited to find classmates who share that belief.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was leading the development of an AI-powered predictive platform for a renewable energy client to improve how it managed its solar infrastructure. The solution identified maintenance needs before equipment failed, reducing downtime and lowering operating costs across the company’s solar network.

The most rewarding part of the project was seeing those operational improvements contribute to a larger purpose. Greater efficiency helped the company advance its mission of making solar solutions more affordable and accessible for neighboring farming communities.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your Emory MBA experience a success? Two years from now, I’ll consider my Emory MBA a success if I’ve done more than earn a degree or land a great role. I hope to leave having built lifelong friendships, gained new perspectives, and become a leader who brings out the best in the people around me. I also hope I’ve found ways to give back to the Goizueta community by mentoring classmates, getting involved in student organizations, and helping future students feel as welcomed and supported as I did.

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