Meet The Washington Foster MBA Class Of 2026

What makes Seattle such a great place to earn an MBA? For many, it’s the opportunity to launch their careers at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.

The Foster MBA program has evolved alongside Seattle’s rise as a global innovation hub. Here, students experience a blend of academic rigor and hands-on learning. Through close ties with companies in tech, healthcare, retail, and beyond, students don’t just study case examples—they live them. To provide a glimpse into life at Foster, we’re sharing insights from 10 MBAs in the Class of 2026.

WHY SEATTLE IS A GREAT CITY TO PURSUE AN MBA

Many students from the Class of 2026 chose Seattle and Foster for the rare balance the city offers — fast-paced urban life paired with the natural beauty of forests, mountains, and waterways. It’s a place where you might spend your morning pitching a business idea and your afternoon paddleboarding or grabbing coffee in a tucked-away café.

Foster MBA Luz Aguirre Ramirez, who calls both Oakland, California, and Guanajuato, Mexico, home, found that blend of energy and tranquility especially appealing. “Seattle is an amazing place to earn an MBA,” she says. “The city itself is vibrant and surrounded by stunning natural beauty, which offers a great balance between professional life, personal life, and a big bonus: outdoor activities.”

Drawn by Seattle’s reputation as a tech hub, Aguirre also appreciated the city’s career diversity. “It’s not just about tech,” she adds. “Seattle is also home to industries like aerospace, healthcare, sustainability, and retail, giving me the chance to explore various career paths.”

For Tyler Gehr, a former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer from Clermont, Florida, Seattle’s proximity to major companies was a big draw. “From a professional standpoint, it’s great being physically close to so many major companies,” he says. “The UW community is deeply ingrained in the Seattle ecosystem.”

But it was the personal flexibility the city offers that stood out even more. “If you’re a reclusive bookworm, there are countless cozy coffee shops. If you’re feeling extroverted, there are plenty of bars with quality brews to help break the Seattle freeze.”

That mix of professional opportunity and personal space made the city feel like the right fit for Gehr.

WHY THEY CHOSE FOSTER

For many MBAs, choosing Foster came down to a combination of curriculum design, shared values, and real-world learning. The Applied Strategy Project — a team-based, real-world experience — was a key factor for Gehr as he pivoted into the corporate world.

“As a hands-on learner, this opportunity seemed like a great way to gain real experience with local companies,” he shares. “As a veteran transitioning into the corporate world, I find this aspect invaluable.”

The mix of classroom learning and experiential projects gave him confidence that Foster could bridge his military background with his business ambitions.

Academic rigor was top of mind for Seattle native William B. Howie, who joined Foster after working at a healthcare startup in Phoenix. Having spent four years helping vulnerable populations access care, he came to business school with a clear mission — and a non-business background.

“One aspect of Foster’s MBA programming that stood out to me was its dedication to providing an excellent academic experience,” he says. “The education I’m receiving is critical for achieving my goals, and I’ve been more than satisfied with the quality of professors and courses Foster offers.”

For Howie, a strong academic foundation wasn’t just attractive — it was essential.

From Bangkok, Thailand, Napatsorn “Minnie” Sirijaratwong came to Foster to develop her leadership potential. What resonated most was the program’s integration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “As someone who’s aspiring to be a future leader, I believe leadership isn’t just about managing a team or hitting business goals — it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels included and valued.”

She was drawn to a program where inclusivity is part of leadership development, not an afterthought.

FAVORITE COURSES, CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

At Foster, courses and clubs offer new ways to think, connect, and grow.

Sirijaratwong found community — and a deeper sense of global understanding — through the Global Business Association. “I’ve always loved learning about different cultures, and this club has given me a great way to explore new cultures and share my own,” she says. For Sirijaratwong, these experiences contributed to her becoming “not just a better business leader but a more open-minded and empathetic person.”

Jennifer Peoples, who came to Foster from a biotech role in California, found unexpected joy in a class she once feared — Corporate Finance. “Coming in with zero finance background, I was really scared this course would be utterly foreign to me,” she admits. “But the professor explained the content in a way that was clear and engaging for everyone.”

By the end of the term, she was not only confident — she was hooked. “I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait to take more finance classes!”

Michael Streuling, a Houston native and former cybersecurity analyst, didn’t expect to enjoy accounting — until he took Financial Accounting with Professor Elizabeth Blankespoor. “She made the topic approachable and consistently related the material to real-world events,” he says.

In one class, students simulated a company’s boardroom navigating a real accounting dilemma — an exercise that stuck with him. “Over the holiday break, I found myself looking at company financial statements … for fun.”

HOW THEY EXPERIENCE FOSTER’S ‘WE>ME’

At Foster, the idea that “We > Me” is more than a slogan — it’s how students show up for one another.

Streuling recalls how, just before finals last fall, his classmate Will Howie voluntarily organized and led a review session to help the cohort prep for accounting and finance exams — going above-and-beyond what faculty and TAs were offering. “Will did it because he wanted to share his expertise and insights to help us succeed,” he says. “That attitude permeates the entire program. Classmates help with interview prep — even when they’re going for the same role.”

MBA Henry Wang, originally from Houston, sees that community spirit in quieter moments: words of encouragement after a tough interview, or students helping each other study. “These small but frequent interactions strengthen that culture of support and collaboration,” he says. “It’s the kind of daily empathy that turns classmates into teammates — and a program into a community.”

BIGGEST MBA ACHIEVEMENTS

At Foster, achievements come in many forms — from case competition wins to earning the trust of peers.

During fall quarter, Wang was part of a team of first-years who won the school’s internal case competition. “The competition demanded that we integrate a quarter of learning across accounting, finance, marketing, and strategy,” he says.

Their weeklong effort paid off with a people’s choice win — voted on by classmates. “That literal vote of confidence meant so much,” he adds.

For MBA McKenna Joy Tey, the biggest milestone wasn’t a trophy — it was being elected class representative. With roots in Denver and a background that includes homeschooling and study abroad in Taiwan, Tey longed for the kind of connection and leadership experience she missed in high school. Now, through orientation, case competitions, and the daily rhythm of MBA life, she’s found it. “The connections I’ve made during my MBA are my greatest achievements,” she says. “I can’t wait to celebrate all our successes at graduation.”

STANDOUT MEMORIES

Not all standout MBA moments involve awards or accolades. For many, the most lasting memories are about connection, celebration, and growth.

For Tey, it’s the small joys that define her experience. “I’ve loved my time at Foster, especially the collection of all the little moments,” she says. “Each warm interaction livens up the experience.”

Chicago native Justin Cottrell, with a background in consulting and a passion for leadership development, points to the first-quarter case competition as a defining moment. “It culminated nearly twelve weeks of learning and developing our leadership styles,” he says. “We applied what we learned and presented to Foster staff and local alumni.”

For MBA Harika Jayanthi, originally from India, one of her favorite memories was the Diwali celebration hosted by International Student Affairs. “Many classmates — not just Indian students — dressed up, learned our dances, and even performed Indian songs,” she says.

Watching her peers embrace her culture so enthusiastically was heartwarming. “It was a moment of cultural exchange that truly reflected the inclusivity I hoped to find in an MBA program.”

Next page: An interview with Assistant Dean and Erin Town and profiles of 10 Washington Foster MBA students. 

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