Sumeet Malik

Santa Clara University, Leavey School of Business

Specializations in Leading Innovative Organizations, New Venture & Entrepreneurship, and Marketing

“Passionate Technical Recruiter building high-impact teams through innovation, leadership, and a people-first mindset.”

Age: 39

Hometown: Napa, CA

Fun fact about yourself: In my spare time, I sell real estate across the Bay Area, assisting new homebuyers, sellers, and investors in both residential and commercial sales. Also, I have a twin sister, and throughout my extended family, we have nearly 10-sets of fraternal twins.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of California, San Diego; Bachelor of Science, Major in Neuroscience & Physiology, Minor in Business Administration

Where are you currently working? Meta: Leadership Technical Recruiter, Specializing in AI & ML Software Engineering Leadership roles

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of building and scaling leadership technical teams at Google, Amazon and Meta. At Amazon, I led recruiting across the AWS Commerce Platform, exceeding hiring goals by 120% and mentoring over 90 recruiters globally. At Meta, I’ve supported multiple AI and machine learning initiatives tied to the company’s top priorities. These achievements reflect my passion for building impactful teams and creating inclusive hiring processes that drive real innovation.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? Santa Clara’s program aligned with my professional goals and values. As someone working full-time in a dynamic industry, I needed a program that was rigorous, flexible, and rooted in ethics and innovation. The university’s reputation in Silicon Valley, coupled with its strong emphasis on leadership and entrepreneurship, made it the ideal fit.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part was the collaborative environment. Despite being online, the program fostered deep connections through case discussions, breakout rooms, and real-time feedback. Working with peers from diverse backgrounds sharpened my strategic thinking and broadened my leadership perspective.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? As an undergraduate, learning was more passive. In the online MBA, it was active and immersive. I found myself more engaged in discussions, more intentional with my time, and more accountable to my peers and professors. The flexibility also allowed me to immediately apply concepts at work.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Stay curious, stay organized, and stay engaged. Treat every discussion and group project as a leadership opportunity. Build relationships early—they’ll be your biggest resource throughout the program.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? It has significantly sharpened my strategic lens. From negotiation tactics to data-driven decision-making, I’ve applied what I learned directly into talent planning, stakeholder alignment, and cross-functional recruiting strategies.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? While in the program, I transitioned from Amazon as a Principal Technical Recruiter and later joined Meta as a Leadership Technical Recruiter supporting AI/ML leadership hiring—both roles representing upward moves in scope and impact.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? I wanted to grow without pausing my career. An online MBA gave me the best of both worlds—real-time application of knowledge while maintaining momentum in a fast-paced industry.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Our coursework regularly incorporated AI tools for research, presentation design, and market analysis. We explored generative AI’s impact on workforce transformation, prompting me to reflect on how AI can ethically augment recruiting and leadership development without displacing human judgment.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 15–20 hours, depending on the quarter and project intensity.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to build and lead my own global talent company, where I can influence how leadership teams are built, scaled, and nurtured through inclusive hiring, strategic workforce planning, and AI-driven innovation.

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