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 from the Midwest U.S. about their experiences before, and during, the MBA program.
Arielle Anderson (MBA 2022)
Where is your hometown?
East Chicago, Indiana.
What was your pre-MBA industry and role?
Healthcare consulting and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Post-MBA industry and role?
Digital health.
At what point did you decide to pursue an MBA, and why?
I decided to pursue my MBA after leaving healthcare consulting. I knew I wanted to be a leader in healthcare and wasn't sure about the correct path. I looked at leaders I admired in the industry and realized so many of them had MBAs from top programs. I talked to my mentor (a Black woman who earned her DrPH from Harvard) and she gave me the encouragement and push I needed to take the risk and apply to HBS along with a few other programs. I don't know that I would have applied had I not had someone who looked like me believe in me so strongly and show me what I could achieve.
How has your experience growing up in the Midwest shaped your values and leadership style?
Growing up in the Midwest (specifically East Chicago) gave me empathy for people from less privileged socioeconomic backgrounds, especially from a health perspective. East Chicago is a medically underserved community and an area where many struggle to access basic resources. It's a reminder to approach my leadership with humility and to be a voice for people from communities like mine throughout my career. I bring this perspective to my healthcare experiences by questioning how innovative solutions will impact the health of underserved communities.
What has been the highlight of your HBS experience thus far?
The highlight of my HBS has been co-planning and moderating a panel on health equity during the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Conference during the spring of my first year. We brought in three amazing Black healthcare leaders as panelists (including the Head of Healthcare Policy at Lyft, the former president of the American Medical Association, and the Chief Patient Officer at Pfizer) to discuss solutions for health disparities facing the Black community and their leadership experiences in healthcare. I was honored to lead the discussion with three Black women who have paved the way for people like me to become business leaders in the healthcare industry.
Do you have any plans to invest or give back to your community post-HBS?
My brother and I have plans to educate children in our community about career opportunities on the business and medical sides of healthcare. We also hope to address the medical provider shortage head on through opening a primary care clinic.
Nashae Roundtree (MBA 2023)
Where is your hometown?
Chicago, Illinois.
What was your pre-MBA industry and role?
I was in Financial Services as a Senior Analyst.
Post-MBA industry and role?
Consulting / Consultant.
At what point did you decide to pursue an MBA, and why?
After working for several years after college, I decided to pursue an MBA when I realized I was becoming a specialist in my field and my long-term goals would require broader business and leadership experience.
How has your experience growing up in the Midwest shaped your values and leadership style?
People in the Midwest are genuinely nice and I am extremely grateful to come from a region where kindness is valued. This has shaped me to assume positive intent in my interactions with other leaders and inside of teams, while also always understanding the multifaceted nature of individuals.
What has been the highlight of your HBS experience thus far?
The highlight of my HBS experience so far has been developing deeper relationships with my section mates. HBS brings together people who would have never met under normal circumstances and places them in a section to learn and grow from exchanging ideas and experiences. I love bringing my Midwest background to conversations with my peers who come from around the U.S. and around the world!