The HBS African American Student Union (AASU) strives to be an extended family for its members from the moment they decide to attend HBS, through the transition to second year, and beyond graduation. Here we profile two AASU members who came to HBS as joint degree students about their experiences before and during the MBA program.
Chris Egi (JD/MBA 2026)
Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Markham, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of the Greater Toronto Area.
What was your pre-MBA industry and role?
Before HBS, I was an investment associate at Goldman Sachs, where I worked in various roles within GS’s investing arms. I started as part of a structured equity investing team within the firm’s Special Situations Group, before transitioning to a role as an investor within the consumer and healthcare verticals of Goldman’s Growth Equity strategy. I left Goldman the year before coming to HBS to start a company after receiving funding from the South Park Commons Founder Fellowship, a program designed to support entrepreneurs at the pre-idea stage. Alongside two former colleagues, I co-founded an on-campus rewards platform for college students.
At what point did you decide to pursue an MBA and your other degree program, and why?
I applied to HBS as part of the 2+2 program while I was a senior in college. I was attracted by the opportunity to spend time developing my skill set in the professional world, before using the resources and network at HBS to make the transition into entrepreneurship, a lifelong passion of mine. I decided to pursue a law degree in the winter of 2020 during my 2+2 deferral. Since graduating college, I’ve spent time working with organizers addressing issues like police brutality. In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, I came to view legal education as a way to contribute to solutions at the legislative level. I fundamentally believe the yet-to-be-uncovered solutions to the issues I care about most, like racial justice, lie at the nexus of business innovation and legal knowledge.
How have you leveraged your unique educational experience at HBS?
I’ve leveraged my experience as a joint degree student to build relationships and experiences that transcend the borders of each individual campus. Whether it’s connecting with the incredible JD/MBA cohort and alumni network, leveraging resources at the i-lab on the HBS campus, or listening to incredible speakers on the Law School campus, the JD/MBA experience allows me to tap into a unique set of resources at two of the world’s preeminent educational institutions.
What has been the highlight of your HBS experience thus far?
The highlight of my HBS experience thus far has definitely been my section and the AASU community. Coming to business school you hear so much about the opportunity to meet incredibly accomplished and motivated individuals. I think what gets lost in all that, however, is just how incredible my classmates are as human beings. They are supportive, caring, and thoughtful. They’ve introduced me to new experiences, broadened my thinking, and expanded my horizons. I already know several of them will be my friends for a lifetime.
Calvin Marambo (MS/MBA 2024)
Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Arusha, Tanzania.
What was your pre-MBA industry and role?
Before HBS, I worked as a scientist in the Biotech and Biopharmaceutical industries. My role was focused on supporting the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for various neurological, infectious, and rare diseases, as well as oncology.
At what point did you decide to pursue an MBA and your other degree program, and why?
I was always drawn to using technology and life sciences to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly for those in low and middle-income countries. As I progressed in my career, I came to recognize the role that business plays in bringing innovation to the healthcare sector and scaling its impact. This led me to seek out opportunities that would allow me to integrate my knowledge of technology, life sciences, and business. When I learned about the MS/MBA joint degree programs in Engineering Science and Biotechnology at HBS, I was immediately drawn to its mission of training the next generation of leaders to drive progress in the industry. I saw this program as an opportunity to further my expertise and develop the business skills necessary to bring breakthroughs from the lab to ailing patients.
How have you leveraged your unique educational experience at HBS?
My time at HBS has provided me with a wealth of opportunities to grow as a leader in the biotech industry. I have been fortunate to work closely with mentors who are leaders in the field, and I have also learned a great deal from my diverse cohort of peers who share my passion for life sciences and impactful business. The program has also given us access to a wide range of biotech entrepreneurs, providing us with a comprehensive understanding of the industry and its opportunities.
What has been the highlight of your HBS experience thus far?
The highlight of my time at HBS has been engaging in dynamic class discussions, attending guest lectures from industry leaders, and forming lasting friendships with classmates during exciting trips and events.
Anything else you would like to add?
If you are considering HBS, I encourage you to take the leap and apply. No matter your background, there is a place for you here, and I highly recommend reaching out to current students for support and advice during the application process. Do not self-select out, and embrace the opportunities that HBS has to offer.