Meet The Class Of 2018 At Kellogg

Nicki Granadier

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Daenerys Targaryan of the marketing world and lover of family, friends, food, and sports.

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I watch an embarrassing amount of Food Network competition shows.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

PepsiCo – Gatorade: 2011-2016

Associate Marketing Manager, Brand Management

Assistant Marketing Manager, Consumer Engagement, Digital Strategy

Marketing Analyst, Digital Strategy

Marketing Associate Analyst, Athletic Channel Marketing

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of the projects I’m most proud of is creating one of baseball’s first live action virtual reality experiences.  Gatorade wanted to give fans a chance to get closer to their athlete heroes, so I helped build an experience that put them in Bryce Harper’s shoes at the plate, taking pitches from an MLB pitcher at the bottom of the 9th inning in front of a full stadium. I learned about the virtual reality creative and production process and built some expertise in an emerging field with lots of complexity.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants?  My biggest advice is to find a friend or mentor who has been through this process before. The application process was a bit of a roller coaster, so having a trusted supporter with me at every step helped give me perspective and confidence when I stumbled.  On top of that, do your research early!  The more you learn when building your school list, the more information you will have for writing essays, interviewing and deciding between programs.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? The Kellogg culture was the deciding factor for me. It’s a tough thing to put into words, but when you experience it at a school visit or in conversations with current students, it can’t be ignored. The students and faculty at Kellogg are the type of people I want to surround myself with – not just as a business network, but also as lifelong friends and mentors. This culture also emphasizes interpersonal leadership in a way that really resonates with me. There are so many academic and extracurricular opportunities to develop, test and refine my leadership style. When I get back to work, I know I’ll be better equipped to lead others using my experiences at Kellogg.

The other major consideration in my decision was the One Year MBA Program at Kellogg, an accelerated degree that was a great fit for me since I am not switching functions and wanted to get back to work quickly. Skipping a few of the core classes that I completed in undergrad has allowed me to create the curriculum best customized to my goals. Kellogg’s incredible marketing program is a great fit for me and I’m also seeking out a handful of experiential labs and analytical courses. The rigor of these academics in particular will help me round out my skillset.  This year will be a whirlwind, but I’m planning to pack it full and make the most of all that Kellogg has to offer!

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? My dream job is to lead marketing teams at a powerhouse brand that serves passionate consumers and is run by even more passionate employees. My business school experience thus far has reminded me how important culture is to me, and it will definitely be a major consideration going forward.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I hope they think of me as someone they can trust to get things done and as someone they can go to for help, advice and support!