AK’s competitive spirit was shaped at one of India’s leading engineering schools, where she thrived among a high-performing peer group. She focused on developing strengths beyond academics, building empathy through student and staff welfare initiatives and leading a student-run consulting project that educated girls from disadvantaged households. AK graduated with honors and secured a role at a sought-after MBB firm.

While advising prominent Indian banks, AK saw firsthand the barriers faced by underserved segments, especially small-scale entrepreneurs. An international assignment confirmed these challenges were global, as aspiring entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa struggled to access funding. AK realized that while her role offered valuable exposure, she needed to strengthen her strategic skills to build sustainable solutions for financial inclusion. The MBA was a clear next step to becoming a global strategist, advancing equitable access to opportunity.