Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Family Members: Vishal Joshipura (husband), Wally (dog, one-year-old Cavachon)
Fun fact about yourself: I love spy novels and binge on murder mysteries whenever I’m sick.
Undergraduate School and Degree: BBA in Finance, Georgia State University
Where are you currently working?
I currently work at Newell Brands as a senior manager of finance in corporate business planning.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
I volunteered at Junior Achievement Finance Park in Washington, D.C., where I helped teach middle and high school students essential personal finance skills through hands-on simulations. These simulations mimic real-life financial decisions, such as budgeting for groceries, utilities, and entertainment. It was fascinating to observe how students approached adult-level financial discussions and how they prioritized their spending choices.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?
One of my proudest achievements during business school was managing a significant career transition right before I started my Executive MBA program.
Just two weeks before the start of the program, I was promoted to a role with increased responsibilities. Balancing the demands of promotion with the rigorous Executive MBA curriculum was challenging, but proved to be a transformative one. The classes and discussions with smart, highly capable peers gave me the confidence to navigate my new responsibilities at work more effectively.
At the same time, the exposure I gained from my new role helped me step out of my comfort zone, allowing me to network more actively and engage with a wider range of individuals at school. This synergy between my professional and academic experiences was a key achievement I’m especially proud of.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career?
I had a bumpy start to my career. Shortly after undergrad, I moved to the Middle East, where the environment posed challenges for someone early in their career, particularly as a woman. I bounced between temp jobs before returning to the U.S., where my international experience held little weight, and I again took on temp roles.
Things changed when I joined Environ (later acquired by Ramboll) in D.C., where two mentors took me under their wing. Over 10 years, I built a strong foundation in finance and leadership.
Despite the comfort and growth I found there, I chose to challenge myself by moving to a Fortune 500 company—stepping into unfamiliar territory with a steeper learning curve. I’m proud of my journey and not giving up on my career ambitions, even when the path was uncertain or the comfort tempting.
Why did you choose Scheller’s Executive MBA program?
Georgia Tech’ Scheller's Executive MBA stands out for its strong focus on the intersection of business and technology. In today’s world, tech can drive growth—or cause disruption—if companies fail to keep up. I’ve seen the human impact of tech-driven restructuring, and I want to be equipped to lead through such changes. Georgia Tech offers the tools to do that. The global capstone is another highlight—solving real business problems with real companies offers invaluable, hands-on experience.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work?
The biggest lesson I gained during my MBA was the value of considering diverse perspectives. I learned that there’s rarely just one way to solve a problem, and the best outcomes often come from listening, assessing multiple viewpoints, and building a collective solution. At work, this has made me more open and collaborative, and my focus has shifted to arriving at the strongest solution as a team.
Give us a story during your time as an Executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education?
During my Executive MBA, I learned that balancing work, family, and school takes a village. January 2025 was especially tough—at work, we were finalizing annual plans and reporting on year-end, while school had demanding assignments. I had to constantly reprioritize, having open conversations with colleagues about my workload, classmates about group deadlines, and family about personal commitments. None of this would have been possible without the support of those around me.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an Executive MBA program?
- Entering the program without a defined path is okay. Once you meet your cohort—a group with diverse professional backgrounds—you’ll gain new perspectives that may reshape how you think about your career.
- The program demands time and focus, so communicate with work and family up front.
- Focus on building relationships. The people you meet are just as valuable as the coursework—connect with everyone, sit next to someone new at every lunch and dinner on class weekends, and don’t limit yourself to familiar faces. There’s something to learn from everyone.
What was your biggest regret in business school?
Nothing major so far. If anything, there are some courses I wish I had time to dive deeper into like Corporate Finance and Strategy since those topics align closely to my future career aspirations.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire?
I’m fortunate to be surrounded by so many accomplished individuals, and there’s something to learn from everyone. However, if I had to just pick one, I’d say Sherin Solomon’s drive truly inspires me. She is always striving to better herself and never takes a passive approach. She makes things happen. Despite juggling multiple commitments, her compassion shines through in her warm, friendly smile.
What was the main reason you chose an Executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives?
I chose an Executive MBA because I wanted to learn alongside peers who have similar work experience and are at a similar career stage. Executive MBA programs attract individuals with significant experience who are often at an inflection point in their careers. I wanted to be surrounded by those people to gain diverse perspectives and challenge my thinking beyond finance and the traditional corporate ladder. In-person learning was key for me to build genuine connections and broaden my horizons.
How did you finance your Executive MBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable?
I used federal financial aid to help cover the cost of tuition.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal?
My ultimate long-term goal is to develop a strategic understanding of the key functions that drive business. I aim to sharpen my decision-making and leadership skills, ensuring I consider diverse viewpoints in every decision. By expanding my perspective beyond finance and gaining versatile skills, I’ll be better equipped to navigate the broader business world and adapt to future challenges.