As part of the challenge, Travelers asked the students to imagine they worked as modelers for the company’s fraud detection department and tasked them with creating a predictive model that could help the company identify the key drivers that cause fraudulence. “The problems that we put out there for modeling competitions are not easy, and they tend to be of the type where the answer is not obvious,” explains Girish Modgil, SVP and chief AI officer at Travelers and a member of the MS in Business Analytics program’s curriculum advisory board. “It allows them to get direct and real time feedback from industry leaders on what they’re learning.”

Good Models Matter, but Communication is Key

Teams that are the most accurate or precise in terms of the metrics Travelers looks for in the competition generally do well, noted Modgil. “But it’s also about the communication,” he says. “How [the teams] are able to communicate about what the problem was, how they tackled it, how they worked together, how they brought diverse opinions and thought to it, and how they were able to cobble together an answer that was presentable and showed some progress toward achieving a solution.”

Qiu and her team went on to win the competition. She believes her team won, in part, because of its presentation and its business insights.

Everyone can do modeling. What really makes you stand out are your communication skills, your presentations skills.

Wenye Qiu 22MSBA

As a result of the competition, Qiu earned an interview—and ultimately a job—at Travelers. There, she builds pricing models for small commercial lines of business as a senior associate data scientist in the Data Science Leadership Development Program, a three year rotational program at Travelers. Qiu, who lives in Atlanta, also became Travelers’ campus representative for the modeling competition and, in 2024, took on the role of organizing the event. “I was happy to take the lead and give back to the program because I know they are awesome students,” Qiu says. “They deserve to have this opportunity to show off their skills.”

This past year, 30 teams from eight different schools—including three teams from Goizueta’s MS in Business Analytics program—presented as part of the Travelers University Modeling Competition. Two Goizueta teams tied for first place.

“For our MS in Business Analytics students, these experiential learning opportunities aren’t just valuable—they’re fundamental,” says Scott Radcliffe, the program’s managing director. “They transform classroom concepts into tangible skills, preparing our graduates not just to analyze data, but to drive impactful business decisions from day one.”

Mutually Beneficial

In 2024 Travelers, headquartered in New York, NY, opened a 2,800 square-foot office in Midtown Atlanta’s Technology Square. The site houses the company’s AI, data science, and other technology operations. “As part of our continued expansion and involvement in the community, we want to make sure that when we hire the talent, they’re well-equipped with the coursework and the experience that they ought to have to come in and start driving value,” says Modgil. “With that in mind, the best way is to go to the source.”

In addition to the modeling competition, Modgil’s work on the MS in Business Analytics program’s advisory board allows him to gather insights from students. During the advisory board’s bi-annual meetings, a handful of current Goizueta students are selected to give presentations on their research interests and career aspirations. “We get to see and experience what the current crop of students are hoping to do—and possibly adjust the ways we interview and recruit accordingly,” says Modgil. “And from an academic perspective, Scott and his team learn what is current, what companies are looking for and the types of skills we need.”

Coming Full Circle

When asked about her current role, Qiu explains that while she builds the pricing models first, she needs feedback from the teams using the models to make sure they work and work well. “My role actually involves a lot of presentations—delivering your model and your business insights to your business partners,” Qiu explains. “It’s a really good combination of technical and business.” This is something Modgil also underscores when describing Goizueta’s MS in Business Analytics program as “the perfect intersection” of business and data analytics. “Since Goizueta is such a good business school, you see a more well-rounded candidate coming out of the program,” says Modgil.  

To learn about career opportunities at Travelers, please visit https://careers.travelers.com/

Learn how Goizueta’s MS in Business Analytics program turns data-driven students into business-ready leaders. Explore a curriculum built on experiential learning, industry collaboration, and real-world impact.

The post From Modeling Challenge to Career Win at Travelers appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

“Our success in the competition would not have been possible without the invaluable lessons learned at the intersection of Goizueta’s undergraduate business degree and MS in Business Analytics programs,” says Andy (Khang) Dang 25BBA 25MSBA, a Data Swoop team member. “The Business Analytics program equipped us with the technical skills and methodologies to tackle complex challenges, while the undergraduate program prepared us to think critically about stakeholders and strategic decision-making. These complementary skill sets were instrumental in achieving this accomplishment.” Jason Evans 25BBA 25MSBA, Ian Poe 25BBA 25MSBA, and Zetao “Tommy” Pan 25BBA 25MSBA rounded out the Data Swoop squad.

“This win is a testament to the quality of our students and the market-relevant skills they acquire through the undergraduate BBA program and the MS in Business Analytics program,” says Zuzana Hlavacova Gurung, associate dean, specialized masters programs. “We are excited to see students apply their business and analytics skills to real world business problems and triumph in the competition.”

Data4Good: The Case and The Cause

The client at the center of the case competition was Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors—TAPS—a non-profit organization that, according to its website, provides “compassionate and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community.” As part of its mission, the organization has developed a “survivor journey map” to guide staff in how best to care for bereaved families and help survivors navigate their grief journey. However, creating and updating the survivor journey map is labor-intensive. As a result, the organization’s ability to use the map to connect survivors with the most relevant care is limited.

For the competition, the teams’ task was to leverage “interaction data” between the survivors and the program to improve how the organization offers support . The teams developed an AI-powered solution that would automatically map survivor survey responses to the existing survivor journey map. The teams also created an innovative methodology that would aggregate and analyze survey data to generate improved versions of the journey map over time. Data Swoop’s strategy focused on creating customized support programs tailored to the unique needs of survivors and their loved ones.

As part of the competition, teams received free expert training for AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Certification, access to DataCamp courses, and INFORMS Job Task Analysis (JTA) Training. “This holistic experience not only provides an opportunity to use data, technology, process, and research-based methods to make good decisions for good problems, but also connects participants to leading data analytics organizations through credentialing and networking,” states the Data4Good’s case competition webpage.

Following the win, Dang thanked the organization for “the opportunity to solve a meaningful problem.”

“The competition broadened my perspective on the transformative potential of data science to drive positive societal change, while reaffirming my passion for combining data-driven insights with strategic decision-making to create lasting impact,” says Dang.

A Powerful Academic Combination

Andrea Hershatter, senior associate dean and undergraduate program director considers the Data Swoops victory a terrific example of the educational scope of the dual degree program. “The MS in Business Analytics program is built at the intersection of business, data, and technology and shapes cutting-edge business data scientists. Our undergraduate BBA students enter the Business Analytics portion of the program already equipped with foundational core business knowledge and contextual, strategic understanding of data-driven decision analysis,” explains Hershatter.

The joint degree is an incredibly powerful academic combination that clearly prepares students quite well, not just for competition in this instance, but also in making deeply informed and actionable recommendations in a business environment.

Andrea Hershatter, Senior Associate Dean and Undergraduate Program Director

The dual degree allows Goizueta undergraduate business students to complete both degrees in four and a half years rather than the typical four-year undergraduate degree followed by the one-year MS in Business Analytics program. Admission into the program is reserved for current Goizueta undergraduate students who are encouraged to apply during their junior year. The dual-degree students devote their senior year to the business analytics curriculum, after which they return to the undergraduate program to complete their final semester.

Discover how Goizueta’s dual degree programs can equip you with the skills to make an impact. Learn more.

The post Goizueta Team Wins Big at Purdue’s Data4Good Competition appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Highlights of this scholarship:  

• + 30% guaranteed scholarship for all admitted Emory applicants who apply this application cycle 
• + Potential for additional scholarships determined by Graduate Admissions on a case-by-case basis 
• + Application fees are waived for current Emory students 
• + No GMAT/GRE required for Master in Management 
• + GMAT/GRE waivers provided for Master of Finance and MS in Business Analytics applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher 
• + Current Emory juniors can apply now to secure the scholarship for Fall 2026 

Program snapshots: 

Master in Management: Ideal for liberal arts and sciences majors, this 10-month program builds on your bachelor’s degree with a strong business foundation to unlock expansive career opportunities. 

Master of Finance: Designed for versatile thinkers, this 10-month program opens doors to finance careers in sales and trading, investment banking, FinTech, and more—no prior finance experience required.  

MS in Business Analytics: This 10-month program integrates business, data, and technology to make you an effective business data scientist in a data-driven world. Pursue a track in AI in Business, Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics, or Supply Chain Analytics. 

This is an opportunity to earn a top-tier business education from world-class faculty with a deeply connected network of peers and mentors with a 30% tuition scholarship. Questions about these programs or this scholarship should be directed to Mary Hall, director of specialized masters admissions, at gradadmissions1@gbs.emory.edu.

The post Announcing 30% Scholarship for Current Emory Undergraduate Students to Select Graduate Business Programs appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

“We are thrilled to welcome the new MS in Business Analytics Class of 2025. These students represent a talented group from all around the world,” says Zuzana Hlavacova Gurung, associate dean of specialized masters programs. “The program now offers four curriculum tracks in AI in Business, Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics, and Supply Chain Analytics. We are excited to provide students the opportunity to further tailor their academic experience and personalize their analytics career path.”

Goizueta’s 2025 cohort of the MS in Business Analytics program is a globally diverse group. The program’s 74 students represent 13 countries and bring with them an average of 3.2 years of work experience. In addition, nearly half of the students are women (47 percent), and 85 percent of the cohort hail from outside of the United States. Also an ambitious group, 14 percent of the students are pursuing a dual degree at Goizueta, one of the only business schools in the country to offer such a pairing. 

The 2025 Master of Science in Business Analytics cohort includes:

• – A competitive badminton player who has traveled the world to compete
• – A 76^th generation descendant of Confucius, with a hand-written family genealogy book
• – A professional-level Overwatch (video game) player
• – A member of a dance crew that has performed in front of audiences as large as 5000
• – The director of two theater plays as an undergraduate student
• – A programmer who re-created the core features of the Pokémon game using C++

Project-based Learning

Project-based learning is at the heart of the MS in Business Analytics program. Every student in the program takes part in a semester-long experiential learning opportunity. This practicum project puts the students’ foundational coursework and training to task. As part of this project, student teams join forces with corporate sponsors to solve current, real-world business problems. Ramnath Chellappa, professor of information systems and operations management and academic director for MS in Business Analytics, calls the practicum the “crown jewel” of the program. He refers to the practicum as “a kind of internship.”

“The students go on to solve a real business problem that really matters to our client,” Chellappa explains. “That way, the students verify that all the techniques that they’ve learned are applicable to what the industry cares about.”

Each year, the business analytics program hosts the day-long Business Analytics Conference. This past April, more than 200 industry practitioners, alumni, academics, and students gathered to network, share insights, and discuss emerging trends.

Goizueta’s STEM-designated MS in Business Analytics combines business, data, and technology to make you an effective business data scientist for a data-driven world. Learn more.

The post Meet the Class of 2025: Master of Science in Business Analytics appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

This year’s theme was “Deploying Large Language Models (LLMs): Opportunities and Challenges for Business.” The conference explored innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). It also provided an opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments throughout the program. In between practitioner-led discussions, several student teams showcased their practicum projects. During these semester-long endeavors, the students worked with client companies to provide solutions to specific challenges the companies face.

“This conference bridges the gap between industry and students,” explains Scott Radcliffe, managing director, MS in Business Analytics program.

Professionals share real-world applications of generative AI. This aligns with our practicum projects where students tackle similar challenges for sponsor firms. It fosters industry connections, equipping students with practical skills and exposure to cutting-edge AI trends. This benefits both students and businesses.

Scott Radcliffe

Experts Explore Emerging AI Technologies

During this year’s conference, various discussions provided insight on emerging technical tools. Experts explored how industry is using these technologies and how businesses can best prepare to incorporate them. The discussions also covered what these emerging trends—and integrating them into one’s enterprise—”means for hiring students like ours,” says Ramnath Chellappa, associate dean and academic director of the MS in Business Analytics program.

Three industry-expert-led discussions focused on current issues regarding large language models:

• + “Unlocking Global Opportunities: Leveraging a Large Language Model for Business Success,” led by Wael Kdouh, principal cloud solution architect, Microsoft.

• + “How to Bring Models to Life—Understanding the product ionization, security, robustness, and transparency of AI and ML models,” led by Ashrith Barthur, principal security data scientist, H20.ai.

• + “Large Language Models’ potential use cases and challenges in healthcare,” led by Yubin Park, chief builder, mimilabs.ai; adviser, Astrana Health; and adjunct professor, Emory University.

The Power of Personal Connections

The day also included panel discussions on the topics of “Empowering Adoption: Preparing your Organization for LLMs,” “LLM Risks and the Law: Navigating Risk, Ethics & Compliance,” and “Taming the Tech: Vendor Selection for LLMs.”

Moumi Panja, senior AI consultant, Google, participated in the “Empowering Adoption” panel discussion. “The conference was an unmatched platform for students and professionals to gain cutting-edge insights from industry leaders,” says Panja.

I was privileged to share my expertise in large language models and engage with the next generation of AI-driven innovators. I also had the opportunity to learn and be inspired by the wealth of knowledge and experience shared by my fellow speakers.

Moumi Panja, senior AI consultant, Google

“It’s one thing seeing people on a webcast. It is a completely different ballgame when you meet them in person,” says Owden “O.G.” Mwangama 24MSBA.

In his native Tanzania, Mwangama founded EMET Healthcare. The company uses data analytics and smart technologies to highlight key issues around products such as medical oxygen, IV liquids, and distilled water across Africa. Mwangama spoke with Google’s Panja and several other practitioners regarding cybersecurity in healthcare. “It was a very good opportunity for me,” he says.

Mwangama’s team was unable to showcase the practicum project it completed in partnership with Equifax. This was due to the proprietary nature of the company’s data (everyone who worked on the project went through a background check and signed an NDA). Mwangama describes the project, however, as “the best part of my time at Goizueta. It was a real-life interaction in a business setting,” he says.

Students Showcase Practicum Projects for Industry Leaders

Over the course of the spring semester, students apply what they’ve learned throughout the 10-month program to provide solutions to a problem that is relevant to clients such as The Home Depot, Bank of America, Paramount+, Best Buy, and Focus Brands.

Students convert the business problem to a data problem, apply the latest data techniques to gather information, and then translate their discoveries into actionable business solutions. “We are business school students, and we solve business problems,” explained Chellappa. Three student teams, chosen by Radcliffe and Chellappa, presented overviews of their practicum projects to the audience.

The practicum projects showcased during the conference were:

               + Delta Airlines, Enhancing Airline Catering Efficiency: A Predictive Model for Special Meal Planning on Flights

               + NCR Voyix, LLM Knowledge Base Enhancement

               + GoTo Foods, Store Net Unit Growth and Closure Early Intervention Indicator Model

Several other student teams stood at dedicated tables where attendees could learn about their practicum projects.

Career Insights and Industry Networking

A career and alumni panel followed. This included Pratishtha Shukla, manager, marketing data science, The Home Depot, as well as alumni Janvier Nshimyumukiza 23MSBA, senior data scientist, CONA Services, and Jent LaPalm 22MSBA, data scientist, The Home Depot. The three shared their experience and wisdom with current students.

“Our students made great connections at the conference this year,” notes Christina Wan, senior associate director of student affairs, MS in Business Analytics program. “We appreciate our corporate partners and sponsors for their time spent with us.”

Maliki Uwase 24MSBA, calls the conference “an enriching experience.”

Engaging in discussions on data bias, integration, and responsible AI development broadened my perspective. Networking with industry leaders, professionals, and fellow students inspired new ideas for my career. It was a valuable opportunity for growth and learning.

Maliki Uwase 24MSBA

In addition to the client companies for the practicum projects, attendees included C-level executives, data scientists, and consultants from a variety of other firms. These included Mercedes-Benz USA, Sogeti, NVIDIA, Travelers, PwC, Amazon, and McKinsey & Company. Gareth James, John H. Harland Dean of Goizueta Business School, also stopped by to address the audience and speak with participants and students.

On to the Next Problem

Radcliffe and Chellappa are currently working to identify sponsors for the class of 2025’s practicum projects. The pair is looking for companies, explains Radcliffe, with “doable yet complex” problems that the students can tackle with the skills they have learned in the program. Radcliffe and Chellappa hope to have the next slate of sponsors signed by the end of October 2024. In addition to the practicum projects, companies can sponsor various aspects of the Business Analytics Conference.

To learn more about sponsoring a practicum project, contact Nicole Saltau at nicole.soltau@emory.edu.

Goizueta’s STEM-designated Master’s in Business Analytics combines business, data, and technology to make you an effective business data scientist for a data-driven world. Learn more.

The post Business Analytics Conference Connects Students to Industry Leaders appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Goizueta believes in nurturing talent and fostering the leaders of tomorrow. With this exclusive scholarship, made available this year by generous donors, Goizueta is not only opening doors, it is also building bridges to future success. Whether graduates dream of revolutionizing industries, leading global teams, or launching their own ventures, this scholarship paves the way for their journey.

• Master in Management: A graduate business degree designed exclusively for recent graduates with liberal arts and sciences majors. The 10-month degree builds on your bachelor’s degree with a strong business foundation setting you up for expansive career opportunities.
• Master of Finance: Created by finance industry insiders, the 10-month, action-based program is for versatile thinkers (no finance experience needed) ready for next gen finance careers in sales and trading, investment management, FinTech, investment banking, and more.
• MS in Business Analytics: This 10-month program combines business, data, and technology to make you an effective business data scientist for a data-driven world. Pursue a track in AI in Business, Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics, or Supply Chain Analytics.

This is an opportunity to earn a top-tier business education from world-class faculty with a deeply connected network of peers and mentors at 50% the normal tuition rate. Apply soon as applications only will be accepted until seats are filled and few spots remain. Questions about these programs or this scholarship, should be directed to Mary Hall, Director of Specialized Masters Admissions, at gradadmissions1@gbs.emory.edu.

The post Breaking News! 50% Scholarship for 2024 Emory Graduates to Select Graduate Business Programs appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

This year’s festivities took place at the Gas South District, just outside of Atlanta. Gregory L. Fenves, president of Emory University, says the decision was made to relocate to address safety and security concerns in light of the numerous protests sweeping campuses across the country.

The Courage of the Class of 2024

Robert Franklin, the James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership at the Candler School of Theology, acknowledged the change of venue for this year’s events when he welcomed undergraduates in the Class of 2024 to the university ceremony on Monday morning.

Franklin reflected on the unique challenges faced by this class, who graduated high school amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the courage with which they’ve faced it all.

“When the history books are written, those headlines will tell only a part of the story. What they will not capture is the depth of your resilience, your humanity, your thoughtfulness. They will not capture your countless daily efforts to lift others up and, even when it’s painful, to hear the perspectives of others, especially those with whom you disagree,” said Franklin.

Gareth James, John H. Harland Dean of Goizueta Business School echoed Franklin’s sentiments. “Our commencement festivities this year may look a little different. However, our commitment to honoring the immense achievements of this graduating class remains unchanged. I want to recognize our students, faculty, and staff who have continued to persevere.”

Graduate and Undergraduate Programs Celebrate in Diploma Ceremonies

Goizueta Business School’s graduate programs kicked off the celebration of commencement weekend with a diploma ceremony on Friday, May 10. James commended the graduates of the Evening MBA, Executive MBA, One-Year MBA, Two-Year MBA, M.S. in Business Analytics, Master of Analytical Finance, as well as those securing dual degrees for their dedication and resilience.

During his remarks, James focused on the students and their accomplishments. “In our newest graduating class, I see enormously talented and principled leaders. You are ready to solve the biggest challenges of our future,” James said. “I cannot wait to see where you go next, the ways you will continue to thrive, and how you will leave your mark on the world around us.”

Tiffany Willis 15EMBA, vice president and head of investor relations and ESG Engagement, Starbucks, delivered the keynote address during Friday’s diploma ceremony. “Over the next 10 minutes, I hope to pour into you, the same way Emory has poured into me when I was here for my graduate degree,” shared Willis. As graduates embark on their next chapter, Willis encouraged them “embrace the hustle, maintain the momentum, own your narrative, remember your why, and yield to your wildest dreams.”

The undergraduate Bachelor of Business Administration diploma ceremony took place on Monday, May 13. During the ceremony, James shared, “As I look at our graduating BBA class, I am filled with tremendous pride, gratitude, and optimism. You are the toughest group of students we have ever graduated.”

Andrea Hershatter, associate dean of undergraduate education at Goizueta, recognized legatees and kicked off the diploma ceremony. “One of the most gratifying moments at commencement is celebrating the continuation of family legacies. It is a great moment when a parent, grandparent, or sibling passes the Emory torch to another family member. This creates a deep bond between the university and that family.” Hershatter then recognized the full lineup of new graduates as they crossed the stage.

Emory University Commencement Keynote Address Delivered by Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD

Valerie Montgomery Rice MD, president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, served as Emory’s 2024 Commencement speaker. Montgomery Rice is a groundbreaking physician-scientist and university leader. She has worked tirelessly to foster diversity within the medical profession and the scientific workforce. “She wants to hold the door open so that others can follow and find success in their career and lives,” explained Fenves. During Montgomery Rice’s time as president and CEO, the Morehouse School of Medicine has solidified its reputation as a “powerhouse in the advancement of health equity,” he added.

Montgomery Rice has strong ties to Emory, having completed her medical training at the School of Medicine. She began her remarks by reflecting on her experience studying at Emory. She trained at both Emory University Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital—two facilities with quite different patient populations. However, during her training, she witnessed her professor treat patients at both hospitals with the same expertise and respect. This experience helped set the foundation for her commitment to health equity.

Advice for the “School of Life”

Speaking to students who mostly began their Emory careers in fall 2020, Montgomery Rice noted this was the first educational milestone many were able to celebrate in person. And while their time as Emory students ended that morning, she explained, their time in the “school of life” was just beginning.

Getting here is a great accomplishment. But having traveled this road, I can only imagine that for some of you, it wasn’t easy.

Keynote speaker Valerie Montgomery Rice MD

“Maybe you had to work two or three jobs. Perhaps you struggled to get passing grades. Or maybe you had to change directions when you figured out the career path you thought you wanted no longer fit for your future,” she said.

On this “first day in the school of life,” she left students with a homework assignment: to hug the people in their support systems and share how grateful they are. After all, nobody got here alone.

“Many of you will do great things. However, to graduate from the school of life with a cum laude degree, all you have to do is one thing,” Montgomery Rice said. “That is to do the best you can with what you have. And remember to listen, learn, include, and grow.”

“The world may not be ready for you, but I am confident you are ready for the world.”

During the ceremony, Montgomery Rice received an honorary degree. Emory also awarded honorary degrees to violin virtuoso Robert McDuffie and the president of the National Academy of Medicine, Victor J. Dzau MD.

Onward and Upward for the Class of 2024

As faculty, staff, students, parents, and loved ones cheered on the Class of 2024, they celebrated the graduates’ bright futures ahead.

President Fenves encouraged graduates to take a moment and bask in the glow of their achievements. He reminded the Class of 2024 that they were surrounded by those they love the most. “Enjoy this moment of accomplishment. In the years ahead, you will strive to achieve new goals. But right now, take one more look around at your friends and your family. Appreciate this experience. You have reached a milestone in your life. It is you who did this. You made it happen. Savor it, enjoy it, celebrate it.”

Dean James shared his enthusiasm with the graduates as well, now the newest alumni of the school’s dynamic network. “Ultimately, Goizueta will be judged based on the graduates we produce. I’m incredibly proud to lead your school. A major reason for that is all of you sitting out there. You are ready to go out to prove, yet again, what an amazing school we have. You now have the honor and privilege to call yourselves Emory Goizueta alums. Congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2024!”

Congratulations to our Goizueta graduates! Read more stories from commencement here.

Enjoy even more images from this year’s commencement festivities below.

The post Goizueta Celebrates the Class of 2024 appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

“Goizueta has so many alumni who make us extremely proud. This year’s honorees definitely stood out, though,” says Lindsay Topping, managing senior director of alumni engagement for Goizueta. “We could not be more thrilled to recognize this year’s award recipients: Sig Mosley, Dipeeka Bastola, and Debbie Perantoni.”

Distinguished Alumnus Award: Sig Mosley 66Ox 68BBA

The Distinguished Alumnus Award began in 1984. It serves as Goizueta’s way of recognizing an individual who has achieved success in their career and has an ongoing commitment to serving their community and the Goizueta community. This year’s recipient was Sig Mosley 66Ox 68BBA.

Mosley was nominated by Robert Kazanjian, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of organization and management and former academic director of The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

“Honoring Sig in this way pays homage to his long history of contributions to Goizueta students with interests in entrepreneurship and investing,” says Kazanjian in his nomination.

Sig has done more than any other alum to support the Center for Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship programming at Goizueta. He has been central to our efforts over the past decade.

Robert Kazanjian, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Organization & Management

Mosley, known as the “godfather of angel investing” in the Southeast, is currently the managing partner of Mosley Ventures. He has helped fund nearly 150 startups in the Southeast since 1990 and holds the record in the region for the largest venture deal ($5.7 billion) for the acquisition of Tradex by Ariba.

Mosley even has an awards program named after him: The Siggie Awards. The awards honor early-stage investors helping to grow Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and recognize unsung heroes in the Atlanta startup community.

“It is truly an honor to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Goizueta. Being one of many qualified alumni from the school, it is truly a privilege to receive this award. I look forward to continuing to work with the school in the years ahead,” says Mosley.

Outstanding Recent Alumna Award: Dipeeka Bastola 20MSBA

The newest alumna of the three award recipients, Dipeeka Bastola 20MSBA, receives this year’s Outstanding Recent Alumna Award.

The award, which began in 1999, recognizes a recent graduate (within the last five years) who demonstrates outstanding service to Goizueta and Emory University, notable success in business, or exceptional service to the community.

Bastola is the first MS in Business Analytics degree alumna to receive this award. She currently works as a data scientist for The Home Depot.

Nominator Christine Battle, program director of Goizueta’s Master of Analytical Finance degree, speaks highly of Bastola. “Dipeeka has been a leader from the time she was admitted into the MSBA program. Now, she continues to lead as an alumna,” says Battle. “She consistently comes back to campus to share her knowledge and experience with students.”

Her warm personality and go-getter attitude have allowed many students to learn from her experiences and trust the process of going through graduate school and landing their dream role.

Christine Battle, program director, Master of Analytical Finance

“One of the greatest things about Dipeeka is she gives back beyond just the Business Analytics program. She has also served on panels and attended sessions for the Master of Analytical Finance program and other Goizueta events,” continues Battle. “Dipeeka is a true leader. She embodies what we would want all Goizueta alumni to be. She is personable, responsible, and committed to helping others succeed. I know I can always count on Dipeeka whenever I reach out to her. She is well deserving of this award.”

Alumni Service Award: Debbie Perantoni 00EvMBA

The Alumni Service Award began in 1995 to recognize alumni who demonstrate significant service to Goizueta or Emory. Debbie Perantoni 00EvMBA, director of product technology at AT&T, is this year’s recipient.

“Over the past decade of being actively engaged in the Goizueta alumni community, I’ve attended many recognition events. However, I never expected the honor of such an award,” says Perantoni. She was nominated for the honor by Jason Payton 12EvMBA, current Goizueta Alumni Board president.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve. I can honestly say I get way more out of the alumni experience than I could ever hope to give back.

Debbie Perantoni 00EvMBA

Perantoni’s volunteerism to Goizueta and the greater Emory community includes multiple roles on the Goizueta Alumni Board. She is a former board president and served seven years on the board. Perantoni was instrumental in the Goizueta@Work program, helping foster an alumni community at AT&T, where she has worked for 18 years. She has also been a mentor, supported Goizueta events, sponsored two IMPACT projects, and is finishing up an MS in Business Analytics capstone project.

In his nomination, Payton wrote, “Debbie has served Goizueta in multiple capacities for many years. She is a selfless leader and has always shown the willingness to do whatever is necessary to support students, faculty, and Goizueta’s core values. Debbie represents the best of Goizueta professionally and personally.”

Congratulations to this year’s alumni award winners. As Steve Greenfield 04EvMBA emcee for this year’s ceremony said in his closing remarks of the evening: “You each are an inspiration.”

You, too, can give back to Goizueta with a contribution to the Emory 2O36 campaign.

The post Alumni Honored at Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Goon was a top performer during his time at Deloitte. He managed a team and helped companies successfully transition to cloud-based data storage.

He also began to see the full scale—and impact—of artificial intelligence, particularly given the rise of generative AI, like ChatGPT.

“I was always privy to the potential impact of AI, but never how much,” explains Goon.

I wanted to learn more about this intriguing technology and see how it could boost my career. At the same time, I wanted to pursue a degree that put this technology in a business context and used it to solve real-world business problems.

Dipanjan Goon 24 MSBA

So, he came to Goizueta.

Applying Data to Business

The Master of Science in Business Analytics program at Goizueta is fast-paced: Students complete the degree in 10 months. In what can seem like a whirlwind environment, the first course of the semester is over within six weeks.

As Goon approaches the end of his degree, he has started to experience “ah-ha” moments, where the content just “clicks.” The program’s structure uses content from one class as the foundation for lessons in the next, and so on. Students don’t have time to forget the material before the next building block begins.

“It’s such a fast-moving program, and we’re learning so much information. But this structure helped me retain the information,” says Goon.

Goon says this structure also allows students to begin job hunting, recruiting, and interviewing early in the program—and with confidence.

“After our first class, we were well-versed in how to speak about data science and machine learning,” he recalls.

One of the reasons that Goon chose Goizueta over other programs was because of the focus on business context. It’s one thing to understand how AI and machine learning operate, but it’s more important—for Goon’s career and trajectory—to be able to apply that information to help a client solve a business problem. This pivotal difference is the hallmark of the program.

Classes like Managing Big Data and AI and ML at Scale have been pivotal for Goon. They have shown him how to take the seemingly hypothetical concepts learned in earlier, exploratory courses and begin to apply them to business situations. That is something that’s been particularly helpful as the class works on their capstone project.

We can derive the most complex mathematical formula. But if it doesn’t help the business that we’re working with, then it’s not what we want.

Dipanjan Goon 24MSBA

Goon’s post-graduation plan builds on his experiences at Goizueta—working with businesses. He hopes to find a job that allows him to use his new artificial intelligence and data science skills to solve business challenges and help companies grow.

A Global Life Experience

Before moving to Atlanta, Goon was working for Deloitte in Chicago. But before that, he was born in India, grew up in Nigeria, and went to college in Michigan.

To say that Goon values and appreciates diversity is an understatement. Beyond the small class size and the business application of the academics, Goon says the other reason he chose Goizueta was because of the level of diversity among cohorts. He says he has found comfort at Goizueta because he’s not the only one from out of state or out of country. Goon joined a cohort that represented 13 countries.

“I’ve always come into a place feeling like a guest,” says Goon.

I’ve not been a local, but when I came to Goizueta, the diversity was more tangible. All of us were in the same boat. We were all kind of international in some way, even the non-internationals.

Dipanjan Goon 24MSBA

Even Goon’s faculty made an effort to help students feel at home in a foreign-to-them city. Rajiv Garg, associate professor of information systems and operations management, held gatherings at his home for major holidays, especially those that international students were unable to travel home for.

“He’s been super helpful with the way he teaches a very tough course and also makes a point to check in on all of us,” says Goon.

From group projects and working on homework together to hanging out at KEGs each week, Goon says all of his interactions with others have made him feel more comfortable. He hopes this will help him adjust quickly wherever he lands next, too.

“For the first time, I didn’t feel like I needed time to fit in,” says Goon of his cohort. “At Goizueta, I found an extremely tight-knit community where everyone looks after one another.”

Congratulations to our Goizueta graduates! Learn more about the celebration and register for Goizueta’s Commencement activities.

Interested in pursuing a business degree? Learn more about the unique programs Goizueta has to offer.

The post Meet Dipanjan Goon: MSBA Grad Looks to Unlock the Power of AI to Transform Business appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Ramnath Chellappa is professor of information systems and operations management and associate dean and academic director of the MSBA program. He calls the practicum the “crown jewel” of the 10-month MSBA program. “You can think of the analytics practicum as a kind of internship,” Chellappa explains. “The students go on to solve a real business problem that really matters to our client. And in this way, the students verify that all the techniques that they’ve learned are applicable to what the industry cares about.”

Scott Radcliffe, MSBA managing director, believes the course separates Goizueta’s MSBA program from other business school analytics programs. “It’s part of what gives our students a holistic and realistic experience,” explains Radcliffe. “The output isn’t just a deck. It’s a piece of software. It’s an application the clients can use.” The practicum also showcases the MSBA program’s focus on the integration of technology, data, and business context. “We take that really seriously,” says Radcliffe. “That integration is a different value proposition.”

Collaborating with Corporate Sponsors

Before the practicum begins, Radcliffe and Chellappa spend a significant amount of time in preparation with potential company sponsors. They start by identifying and clarifying the types of problems the sponsors are facing. “There’s a commitment from the company’s side to put time into this in order that it be successful,” says Radcliffe. The best corporate sponsors have, according to Radcliff, “doable yet complex” problems that the students can solve utilizing the skills they’ve learned in the MSBA program.

This semester, 20 teams of five students each are collaborating with corporate sponsors to solve real business challenges. Companies included The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Paramount +, Best Buy, and Focus Brands.

During the practicum, companies grant the students access to proprietary data and data support (students and Goizueta faculty sign non-disclosure agreements), as well as access to one business resource and one technical resource at the company. In addition to frequent contact with the student teams, sponsors often arrange site visits and stakeholder meetings with the students.

The interaction between students and the client is a critical success factor for both sides.

Scott Radcliffe

“We ensure the students have solid consulting and project management processes to follow,” explains Radcliffe. “However, having a passionate, engaged client is the most critical element in the equation. It provides the students with the right learning environment. It also gives them the required domain knowledge to generate real outcomes from their code and recommendations.”

From Pitch to Presentation

The practicum begins with a “pitch day” event in the fall where each corporate sponsor has 15 minutes to pitch its issue to students. “The pitch day serves as a bridge connecting students with companies, providing a gateway to a diverse range of data projects spanning industries from finance to telecommunications,” says Jenevieve Zhang MSBA24. Zhang is currently working with a global provider of software, hardware, and digital commerce solutions. Her project aims to “reduce device downtime by proactively dispatching repair technicians before device failures,” she explains.

In an effort to form balanced teams, students first must rank each of the company pitches. An algorithm then takes into account the student’s GPA, country of origin, technical ability, and gender to form teams.

Every student on the team has an additional role—just like in the consulting world. Project manager, primary technical person and so on. Everything we do is about creating real world experiences.

Scott Radcliffe

Student teams meet weekly with Radcliffe, an academic advisor, and with professional coaches. These regular meetings help ensure that the teams are on track and that the students are getting the support they need from the client. Faculty grade the projects based on professionalism, final presentation, the quality and timeliness of the work, peer feedback, and the team’s ability to demonstrate an understanding and application of data mining methodology. Student team deliverables consist of a technical package with empirical models, code, and documentation, as well as a deck that illustrates the business benefits of the technology.

For Zhang, the practicum is a way for students to “seize the opportunities” that are presented to them, she says, adding: “I am beyond excited at the prospect of applying the advanced technical skills and knowledge I’ve acquired during the fall semester into the real-world business landscape.”

Learn More:

Goizueta’s STEM-designated Master’s in Business Analytics combines business, data, and technology to make you an effective business data scientist for a data-driven world. Find out how Goizueta can prepare you to launch a career in data science in some of the fastest-growing fields in business.

The post MSBA Students Unlock Real-World Solutions for Corporate Partners appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

“Everything we have has massive amounts of data,” he says. “No matter what company you’re with, no matter which industry you’re in. We have a lot of information that can really help us understand our clients and improve our customer service. It’s all about how you can use that data, extract value from it, and use it to your advantage.”

Born and raised in Mexico, Suarez started playing competitive tennis at the age of three. He originally aspired to be a professional tennis player. However, at 18 years old, he chose to attend Georgia Southern for his college education. There, he majored in supply chain management while playing NCAA Division I tennis for the Eagles.

After graduating, Suarez worked in the supply chain industry as a global logistics specialist for Interra International.

“I realized there was so much data that wasn’t being looked at by the company,” he says. “Just by looking at data we could have solved so many issues. That led me to pursue my Master’s in Business Analytics at Emory.”

Suarez came into Goizueta with no coding experience. He says he was excited to pick up technical skills through the 10-month MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. As he progressed through his master’s program, he increasingly saw merit in using data to make predictions and add value to business.

The MSBA program was great because it gave me an opportunity to learn more about myself. Data science is pretty broad, and there’s so many different branches of it, and I was able to learn which ones I liked.

Santiago Suarez 22MSBA

While at Emory, Suarez used his fifth year of athletic eligibility due to COVID-19 to play for the tennis team. He says the sport gave him a nice mental break during his intensive studies. Suarez also served as an MSBA admissions ambassador. This gave him the opportunity to speak to prospective students about his experience in the program and at Emory.

Following graduation, Suarez joined Truist, first in a retail analytics internship and later in an 18-month rotational program, where he currently works.

“Every day is a new adventure with new problems to solve.”

Interested in pursuing a business degree? Learn more about the unique programs Goizueta has to offer.

The post Meet Santiago Suarez: Unleashing the Power of Data appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

For some, thoughts of artificial intelligence, doom and gloom, or robots taking over the world might come to mind. After all, it’s the age of generative AI—a seemingly magical technology that can create artwork, write papers, or build code—all within seconds.

Where do humans fit in?

Goizueta Business School graduates fit in everywhere. The future of work is an exciting prospect, and they are ready for it. These workers of the future are embracing their passions and pursuing multiple careers, making business decisions for the betterment of society, leveraging technology to enhance their
skills, and learning how to lead dispersed, remote teams.

Goizueta graduates don’t fear the future. They embrace it.

The Value of High-Tech Skills

“Technology is what it is, and we have to keep up with it and be familiar with the latest tools, but at the end of the day, the theory is a theory. [We] know the underlying math that goes into AI and that enables us to make informed decisions that will eventually make an impact on whatever project we’re working on,” says Sebastian Peña 19BBA 20MSBA, a management consultant for Accenture.

Recently, Peña faced having to write JavaScript, a language he doesn’t know, for a client. He planned on taking a course, but with the popularity of generative AI (like ChatGPT), Peña decided to turn to tech. Armed with a basic understanding of how to write code, Peña leveraged AI to fill in the gaps. A task that would have taken Peña several weeks took an hour.

Being a worker of the future means utilizing available tools to amplify your existing skills, he says.

“It’s easy to imagine a dystopian future, where most jobs are automated and workers disappear, but I think our students today are equipped to imagine a future where technology instead enables more prosperity and sustainability,” says Wes Longhofer, associate professor of organization and management, associate professor of sociology (by courtesy), and executive academic director of Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute. “If they can imagine it, then they can create it.”

Gathering the Data Points of Your Career

Research shows that younger generations find job-hopping beneficial. Multiple careers are—and will continue to be—the norm. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that, in September 2022, employees stayed with their current jobs an average of four years. This is especially true for younger generations.

Urvi Bhandari 99BBA 06MBA has no problem admitting that many of her career choices were directly tied to what was going on in her personal life at the time. That’s not to say her decisions weren’t driven by her professional aspirations. But they were equally tied to what was best for her, whether it was working for AT&T, The Coca-Cola Company, IBM, or Walmart—or being a nomad while in her executive roles.

“I want people to understand that life matters,” says Urvi, executive career coach and co-founder of peppercorn.ai.

The premise of Peppercorn.ai is to remove resumes from the equation and focus on the candidate. Rather than having prospective employees mold their story to fit a job description, the platform revolves around supporting the candidate to have clarity and confidence in their journey.

“We make business decisions with data points. Why don’t we make decisions for ourselves based on data points?” argues Urvi. “The world is changing. There is no one way to approach a career.’”

“Workers of the future are no longer going to be doing things because ‘that’s what the path is.’ There is no path,” Urvi continues. “People are making their own paths by taking control of articulating who they are, knowing where they’re going, and marketing what they offer.”

Forward Facing: How Business and Society Can (and Should) Mingle

Longhofer has nothing but optimism for the workers of the future and what they can accomplish for businesses—and for society.

Generation Z values a business’s societal and cultural impact, sometimes over salary and benefits, according to research by Deloitte. A vast majority (77 percent) of respondents cited social activism, and the evidence of it, as a high priority when deciding whether to work for a company. Workers of the future want companies with good values and ethics and a commitment to confronting societal issues, such as sustainability, climate change, and hunger.

As technology and AI advance at an unprecedented pace, workers of the future will be the ones who remind us that human flourishing and planetary survival are still essential.

Wes Longhofer

Workers of the future will have to combine their analytical and technological skills with creative solutions to address business needs. “It’s not enough to optimize your supply chain for peak efficiency. You also need to embed human rights into it and report your scope 3 emissions,” says Longhofer.

As complex as these challenges might sound, students at Goizueta are already rising to the occasion. The Business & Society Institute embeds this system-thinking approach into classes, experiential learning, global modules, directed studies, clubs, conferences, and case competitions. Students are being introduced to climate change and inequality. They’re given ample opportunities—in a variety of formats—to put their skills to the test in safe, supported environments before bringing their knowledge and ideas to their future companies.

The Power of People Skills

Workers of the future need not only the technical skills learned in class, but also soft skills. Whether a company conducts business in person or operates remotely, leaders of today and tomorrow must know how to lead through a screen and across time zones.

“The human factor of leading becomes increasingly important in a complex, uncertain, and volatile world where you’re not just leading in person anymore,” says Lieutenant General USA (Ret.) Ken Keen, associate dean for leadership and associate professor in the practice of organization and management.

As technology continues to advance, managers and executives must also know how to lead those whose technical knowledge surpasses their own. Whether you’re the chief financial officer or chief operating officer, you must know how to lead a league of people with varying skill levels.

“Every business is a people business,” says Brian Mitchell, associate dean of the Full-Time MBA programs and Goizueta Global Strategy and Initiatives. “You have to be able to relate to people and be relatable. A great leader cannot lead one way and expect everyone else to conform. They have to be able to manage many different work styles and personalities.”

Adapting to the Shifting Landscape

In addition to learning how to manage across styles and personalities, growth is key. That’s where continued education comes into play, shares Nicola Barrett, Goizueta’s chief corporate learning officer. “Changes in both technology and societal expectations require anyone in business to adopt new skills, approaches, and mindsets. They must become digitally fluent and to re-create their playbook to see, design, and unlock new growth opportunities. Emory Executive Education works with organizations and their professionals to develop these critical capabilities to catalyze new growth possibilities.”

Goizueta’s leadership is also constantly reviewing and tweaking its programs. The undergraduate BBA program, led by Andrea Hershatter, senior associate dean of undergraduate education and associate professor in the practice of organization and management, launched adjustments following a deep review in order to remain relevant to the latest scholarly research, recruiter and business needs, and alumni feedback.

“The revised curriculum enhances our ability to equip our students for an increasingly data-driven world in which the outcomes of business decisions are multifaceted and far-reaching. It simultaneously helps us build our student competencies and address their desire to create individualized and customized academic experiences,” says Hershatter.

The school’s highly ranked MBA program is next. One of the focus areas of the review is enhancing the global nature of the program, more deeply weaving experiential learning into the curriculum, rather than treating such opportunities as optional additions to the standard MBA track. 

“So much of the work of the future is going to happen irrespective of borders,” shares Mitchell. “Workers of the future are going to be global by definition.”

Gaining Global Perspectives

For Evan Lyons 22MBA, being global is inherent. Lyons learned to walk in England, and played soccer in Brazil as a teenager. He participated in an exchange program, then internship in France, and met his wife in Mexico. He can speak English, French, and Spanish fluently and has a working knowledge of German and Portuguese.

Lyons found immense value from his global experiences when he owned his own consulting company. He now uses that experience in his job as an investment banker for Bank of America. Lyon tries to begin meetings in the language of the country he’s in. He always downloads the local holiday calendar to be aware of how the area’s cultural traditions might impact workflow.

MBA graduates and workers of the future have to understand the global perspective because most major companies are global. If you want to rise up in any organization in any industry, you have to be able to understand where the company is playing, how to build relationships across cultures, and develop strategies that can flex and work in other places.

Evan Lyons 22 MBA

This diverse perspective—and the willingness to meet people where they are—builds relationships and strengthens leadership skills. Both of these are critical skills for workers of the future.

“The future is now for all of these things. They’re incremental steps. They are small innovations that lead to big innovations and big changes,” says Lyons. “The workers of tomorrow, the leaders of the future, they are in the workplace today.”

Interested in pursuing a business degree? Learn more about the unique programs Goizueta has to offer.

The post Preparing the Workers of the Future appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.