CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATE SHOWCASE
ALEXIA SAHUE
Africa Program (French)
“If you’re seeking a transformative experience that shapes you into a dynamic leader, gently pushes your boundaries, and equips you for success in any professional landscape, Lauder is the place to be.”
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Your hometown
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
Without hesitation, the Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVs)! Beyond the adventure of exploring new countries, the true value of these LIV experiences are their educational depth. My first LIV took me to Thailand, where I immersed myself in the teachings of Buddhism and learned about its profound significance within Thai culture. A highlight was undoubtedly the meditation retreat.
My second LIV to Argentina and Uruguay explored how those two nations built an identity through football. As a native of Côte d’Ivoire, a nation deeply entrenched in football culture, I found profound resonance in exploring how these countries forged a collective identity through the ‘beautiful game’. (As an unexpected bonus, our stay coincided with the presence of the Brazilian football team in our hotel!)
What was the focus of your Masters thesis and what was the most surprising thing you learned from your research?
My thesis topic explored gender inequality in Africa, examining both the enduring legacies of colonialism and the intricate web of contemporary systemic barriers that stifle women’s potential. As an African woman driven by the desire to catalyze positive change in the lives of women back home, I am deeply invested in fostering more inclusive opportunities for them. One of the most enlightening revelations during my exploration was the transformative impact of the Rwandan genocide on gender dynamics within the country. Despite the tragic backdrop, the aftermath of the genocide created a unique space for women, who make up 60 to 70% of the population, to take a leading role in the monumental task of rebuilding the nation. Consequently, Rwanda emerged as one of the world’s foremost proponents of gender parity. Engaging in this research has equipped me with a nuanced perspective that will be invaluable for years to come.
What are you doing next?
I will be joining McKinsey in their Chicago office as an Associate. I’m especially excited about diving into the consumer practice area and making a meaningful impact.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
For those considering the Lauder program, here’s my advice: If you’re seeking a transformative experience that shapes you into a dynamic leader, gently pushes your boundaries, and equips you for success in any professional landscape, look no further. Lauder is the place to be. But it’s not just about career preparation; it’s about being part of a community of like-minded individuals driven by a shared passion for making a positive impact on the world. Don’t hesitate – apply now and join this vibrant, close-knit community!
JASON MAH
East & Southeast Asia Program (Mandarin)
“My masters thesis, which explored factors contributing to low levels of sustainable investment in Southeast Asia, was inspired by my travel experiences at Lauder including the Thailand Lauder Intercultural Venture (LIV).”
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Your hometown
Vancouver, Canada
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
The highlights of my Lauder experience have been the Lauder Global Alumni Weekend (LGAW) in NYC and Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVs) in Thailand and Georgia. The Alumni Weekend perfectly captures the closeness of the Lauder community and the LIVs have imparted unfathomable insight to me on Thai and Georgian culture within a global context.
What are you doing next?
I’ll be returning to Bain & Company specializing in climate and private equity. Prior to this, I’ll be pursuing my passion in Africa this summer investing in food, climate, health, and education resilience.
What was the focus of your Masters thesis and what inspired you to choose this particular topic?
My masters thesis, which explored factors contributing to low levels of sustainable investment in Southeast Asia, was inspired by my travel experiences at Lauder including the Thailand LIV and fieldwork in Southeast Asia for a group paper. While traveling through this region I learned about its disproportionate vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. I wanted to shed light on the consequential funding gap in climate finance in Southeast Asia and propose actions that may help catalyze regional responses to the global climate crisis.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
Lauder is filled with a diverse group of incredible people with amazing stories. Speak with current Lauder students and faculty to hear about how Lauder’s linguistic and immersive experience coupled with a tight knit community will be a transformative experience, then apply!
MERCEDES BERAS GOICO
Global Program
“The Annual Lauder Retreat, which launches at the start of every fall semester, provides a fantastic opportunity for first-year and second-year students to bond and for various tracks to welcome new members.”
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Your hometown
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
The Annual Lauder Retreats have been a true highlight! This student-led event, which launches at the start of every fall semester, provides a fantastic opportunity for first-year and second-year students to bond and for various tracks to welcome new members. It’s a memorable way to kick off the experience, filled with fun competition and (a lot) of dancing.
What are you doing next?
I’m excited to be joining NBC Universal Comcast in their Rotational Leadership Program. This two-year, post-MBA program offers the chance to explore different functional areas of the company, including content acquisition, streaming strategy, artificial intelligence, corporate strategy, theme park operations & strategy, and more. Every six months, I’ll have the opportunity to work in different cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, London, Orlando, and Miami. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
What was the focus of your Masters thesis and what inspired you to choose this particular topic?
My paper, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Agenda: Is China the Key to Hollywood Blockbuster Dreams?” stems from my deep interest in the intersection of finance and media. Over the past two years, I’ve been focused on transitioning from trading financial instruments to working in the Media and Entertainment space. During this period, I’ve delved into the changing patterns of film consumption, focusing particularly on the decline in movie theater attendance in the US and the corresponding rise in global streaming services. I’m particularly fascinated by the profound influence of the Chinese box office on Hollywood’s financial success. This led me to explore whether there is an indirect impact of Chinese investments in shaping Hollywood’s creative decisions.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
Embrace every opportunity to travel, learn, and step outside your comfort zone. Meeting new people and exploring new ideas can profoundly enrich your experience. The more open you are, the more rewarding your journey through the Lauder program will be.
PHILLIP WEINSTEIN
Europe Program (Russia)
“The highlight of my Lauder experience has been my progress in Russian classes, which not only reflects the great professor I had but also the supportive learning environment and opportunities Lauder provided.”
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Your hometown
Roslyn, New York (Long Island)
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
The highlight of my Lauder experience has been my progress in Russian classes, where, as a heritage speaker, I progressed from “advanced low” to “advanced high” on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). This achievement not only reflects the great professor I had but also the supportive learning environment and opportunities Lauder provided.
What was the focus of your Masters thesis and what inspired you to choose this particular topic?
For my thesis, I wrote about how membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has influenced Kazakhstan’s and Russia’s economic policy and development strategy in the post-Soviet era. The inspiration to write about this stemmed from a group trip to Kazakhstan, organized by a fellow Russian-track classmate. During this trip, I was struck by the intricate ties between Kazakhstan and Russia. While observing firsthand the dynamics of this relationship in areas such as energy and agriculture it became clear how pivotal the EAEU has been in shaping both countries’ economic policies and development strategies.
What are you doing next?
My drive towards entrepreneurship and leadership has propelled me to start my own search fund, with the goal of acquiring a business to lead as CEO. A search fund is an investment vehicle through which people raise funds from investors to locate, acquire, and manage one company. I will be based in Philadelphia during this journey.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
For those eyeing the Lauder program, take advantage of its opportunities and alumni network. As an example, this network landed me a paid internship where I worked directly with a CEO, a proud Lauder alum, growing his business.
