LAUDER CLASS OF 2025 GRADUATE SHOWCASE
Published May 2, 2025
As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, we sat down with four Lauder students to reflect on their journeys through the Lauder/Wharton joint-degree program. In candid interviews, they share what challenged and inspired them—from balancing the demands of two rigorous degrees, to immersive experiences abroad that brought classroom learning to life, to the unexpected insights uncovered through their master’s thesis research. Looking ahead, they discuss what’s next, offer advice to future applicants, and reflect on why choosing the joint-degree over a standalone MBA was the right decision.
GREG McLEAN
Latin America Program (Spanish)
“Lauder was the best part of the Wharton experience. It’s a tight-knit community, which helps make a big school feel like home, and it’s made up of some of the most thoughtful, globally-focused people I’ve ever met.”
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Your hometown
Toronto, Canada
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
The highlight was, without a doubt, spending time with my classmates. It was moments like discussing dictatorship with the Spanish track while on immersion in Argentina, exploring the meaning of homeland with the Armenia LIV group, or just eating lunch in the Lauder Lounge and hearing about everyone pursuing their passions.
What was the biggest challenge in doing a joint degree, and how did you overcome or manage this challenge?
The biggest challenge was the extra coordination required. Lauder students take on slightly heavier course loads each semester, the capstone paper also requires effort, and Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVs) add academic travel on top. That said, with solid calendarization, time blocking, and prioritization, I found it manageable.
What was the focus of your master’s thesis (capstone), and what was the most surprising thing you learned?
My capstone focused on the divergent development outcomes of two resource-rich countries, Bolivia and Trinidad & Tobago, through quantitative and qualitative comparison of their economic policies and governance structures. I was familiar with the resource curse beforehand, but uncovered an interesting thread to a new theory in a footnote of one of my source papers. In short, an area for future research is how much the form of democracy itself – presidential versus parliamentary – influences the effectiveness of long-term development. (They say parliaments may be better – go Canada.)
How would you describe the value-add of the Lauder/Wharton joint-degree over a standalone Wharton MBA?
For me, Lauder was the best part of the Wharton experience. It’s a tight-knit community, which helps make a big school feel like home, and it’s made up of some of the most thoughtful, globally-focused people I’ve ever met. Wharton on its own is special, but I wouldn’t trade Lauder for anything!
What are you doing next?
I will be moving to New York to work in investment banking at J.P. Morgan. I am joining the Mergers & Acquisitions team, working to execute transactions across different industries and geographies. I am excited to advise global clients and continue learning in a fast-paced environment.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
Be open-minded. You will quickly realize that for almost any topic, someone here knows more about it than you do – and that’s a gift. Lauder will be exactly as enriching as you choose to make it, so lean into the language, explore unfamiliar topics, try new things, and see the world through the global lens the program offers.
JAMES KAKISINGI
Africa Program (General)
“Classroom discussions [at Lauder] blended history, sociology, politics, and business to provide a richer, more layered perspective on global markets and human behavior.”
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Your hometown
Douala, Cameroon and The Hague, Netherlands
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
My Lauder Intercultural Venture (LIV) in Brazil was easily the most powerful moment of my Lauder journey. Being in Salvador, often referred to as the epicenter of the African diaspora, gave me a front-row seat to how Brazil is actively navigating its identity and reconnecting with its African roots, even beyond the language barrier. Walking through Pelourinho and Liberdade, I was struck by the textures of history, resistance, and culture. These neighborhoods spoke to me deeply; they helped me understand and connect with a country and people I likely would not have encountered so meaningfully if not for the LIV.
I also had the chance to connect deeply with classmates I hadn’t bonded with before, and I walked away with friendships that I know will last well beyond graduation. That sense of discovery, of culture, of history, and of community is something I’ll carry with me forever.
What was the biggest challenge in doing a joint degree, and how did you overcome or manage this challenge?
The biggest challenge was staying organized and making sure I was intentional about how I showed up to class in order to be fully engaged. Wharton is definitely demanding, but Lauder also requires you to dive deeply into the material, be ready to discuss, debate, and have your ideas challenged. I had to become fiercely intentional with my time and energy, learning when to focus on technical mastery and when to lean into critical discussions and global analysis. It was not just about managing my calendar; it was about protecting the quality of my engagement. That discipline made me sharper, more reflective, and ultimately more prepared for the complexity of real-world leadership.
What was the focus of your master’s thesis (capstone), and what was the most surprising thing you learned?
My capstone explored how colonially inherited linguistic identities shape the experiences of Anglophone entrepreneurs in Cameroon. It examines how language, a legacy of colonial partitioning, affects access to economic opportunities and social mobility.
What surprised me most was how deeply language operates as a gatekeeping mechanism beyond just communication. I expected bureaucratic hurdles, but I didn’t anticipate the extent to which language affects socio-economic progress, investor confidence, access to informal business networks, and even perceptions of legitimacy. It’s not just about who speaks what. It’s about who belongs where.
Nonetheless, I was amazed to witness how these entrepreneurs have built success by rewriting the rules entirely. They’ve created informal networks, bilingual business cultures, and even alternative paths to legitimacy and economic progress. It’s a masterclass in innovation under constraint. But it also left me wondering—what could they achieve if the playing field were truly level?
How would you describe the value-add of the Lauder/Wharton joint-degree over a standalone Wharton MBA?
Lauder gave me experiences I would have never been able to have with Wharton alone. Every travel opportunity had an added twist, Lauder pushed us to connect on a deeper level with individuals and communities in every country we visited. It was never just about seeing the world; it was about understanding communities and people within it. Our classroom discussions blended history, sociology, politics, and business to provide a richer, more layered perspective on global markets and human behavior. At Wharton, I sharpened my business acumen. At Lauder, I expanded my worldview and my capacity for empathy. The joint degree made me realize that success is not just about understanding markets, it is about understanding people. I would choose this path again without hesitation.
What are you doing next?
I’m heading to New York to join investment banking firm Evercore. I’ll be a full-time Associate in their M&A group, focused on Consumer & Retail. I’m excited to dive into high-stakes strategic work and continue learning the craft of deal-making at the highest level.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
Bring your full self! Lauder is a space where your global curiosity, cultural fluency, and personal identity are not only welcomed but needed. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, challenge assumptions, explore new intellectual terrains, or share your story. Some of the most rewarding conversations I’ve had came from leaning into vulnerability and difference.
NEHA SARAF
SAMENA Program (Hindi)
“My Lauder Intercultural Ventures to Thailand and Botswana were unique and immersive experiences that gave me the opportunity to truly broaden my horizons.”
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Your hometown
London, United Kingdom
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
My highlight has been the Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVs)! In my first year, I went to Thailand to study Buddhist Material Culture, and in my second year I traveled to Botswana to learn about the country’s health and economy. Both were unique and immersive experiences that gave me the opportunity to truly broaden my horizons. I had never traveled to either of those countries, so to get the opportunity to learn about the cultural nuances and interact with locals from all walks of life with my fellow Lauder classmates and teachers has truly been an unparalleled experience.
What was the biggest challenge in doing a joint degree, and how did you overcome or manage this challenge?
The biggest challenge was carving out time to fully engage with all that Lauder offers — especially immersing myself in language studies and delving into my thesis research. Balancing both alongside the demands of the MBA required intention and integration. I addressed this by aligning my thesis topic and language assessments with subjects I was already exploring in my MBA coursework. This created natural synergies and allowed me to go deeper without feeling stretched thin. With the guidance of my thesis advisor, I was also able to have rich, focused discussions that elevated both my academic learning and my regional understanding.
What was the focus of your master’s thesis (capstone), and what was the most surprising thing you learned?
Prior to working on my thesis, which is titled “India’s Evolving Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: How India’s Unique Policy, Culture, and Market Forces Shape the Nation,” I had not spent much time exploring the Indian entrepreneurship market. So, undertaking this research was a fantastic opportunity to learn about the startup ecosystem in a nation that is rapidly evolving. Through my conversations with venture capitalists, startup founders, and government officials, what stood out to me was the growth of startup ecosystems in Tier 2 and 3 cities in India that now house around 50% of startups in the country. I am excited to see how this space continues to grow in India.
How would you describe the value-add of the Lauder/Wharton joint-degree over a standalone Wharton MBA?
Lauder has been the crown jewel of my Wharton experience. To be part of such a tight-knit and diverse community that always has your back as well as the opportunity to explore academia beyond business school has been such an enriching experience. Having grown up in four vastly different geographies by the age of 12, I have always sought a sense of belonging rooted in shared curiosity about the world, and Lauder has given me that.
What are you doing next?
I will be moving to San Francisco to work as a Senior Strategist for Uber Technologies’ Community Operations division.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
Lean into your authenticity. Lauder is such a unique community where you meet people from all walks of life – your authenticity and a broad outlook will ensure you have a rich experience.
ZIQIN YUAN
East & Southeast Asia Program (Mandarin)
“The Lauder program and the community I found within it transformed my Wharton experience. It also provided me with the opportunity to meet and learn from communities across the world that I never would have crossed paths with otherwise.”
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Your hometown
Edison, New Jersey
What has been the highlight of your Lauder experience?
The highlights of my Lauder experience were the Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVs), which every Lauder student is required to attend. I had remembered reading about them as an applicant and thinking to myself how they looked too good to be true – an organized trip to a new country, covering the most interesting of topics? They turned out to be the most formative experiences of my time at Lauder.
I chose to do an LIV on interfaith dynamics in Ghana and another on the nation and diaspora in Armenia. The LIVs themselves are well-designed, with itineraries that included meetings with the National Chief Imam of Ghana and the Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia. However, the highlight for me was the bonds I formed with my classmates as we engaged with each new experience – I left both LIVs having deepened relationships that I expect to last long after I graduate.
What was the biggest challenge in doing a joint degree, and how did you overcome or manage this challenge?
My biggest challenge in doing the joint degree was time management. The experience is intense as you’re earning two degrees in just over two years, while also trying to pursue career goals and build meaningful relationships. I quickly realized I couldn’t do everything and would have to be willing to prioritize. That meant defining what mattered most to me and, in the process, being willing to say no to other exciting opportunities – a skill I had to actively develop. But staying grounded in my priorities helped me focus on what mattered most and shape an MBA journey that was truly my own.
What was the focus of your master’s thesis (capstone), and how has the thesis process contributed to your professional development?
I wrote about the impact of convenience stores on health and well-being in Japan. My capstone strengthened my ability to engage on a professional level across cultures. I chose to research a topic that I was personally interested in even though I had no prior familiarity with Japanese. Sourcing and conducting interviews despite this cultural barrier pushed me out of my comfort zone – and was all worth it when I found points of connection with those I interviewed.
How would you describe the value-add of the Lauder/Wharton joint-degree over a standalone Wharton MBA?
The Lauder degree made my Wharton MBA worth it. Wharton is a large school; the Lauder community (and the Lauder Lounge) felt like a safe haven as I navigated the MBA experience. Starting the program a term early gave me a head start: I had time to build friendships, reacclimate to student life, and hit the ground running before everyone else arrived in the fall. When the full MBA began, I felt empowered to explore knowing I had my Lauder community to fall back on. The community built through Lauder extended to the Lauder alumni too, who were extremely willing to help in my career search. I actually found my first in-semester internship through a Lauder alumni connection!
What are you doing next?
I will be moving to New York City to work in Operations at Stepful, an edtech startup working to make careers in healthcare accessible to all.
What advice would you give to people considering the Lauder program?
Definitely apply! The Lauder program and the community I found within it transformed my Wharton experience. It also provided me with the opportunity to meet and learn from communities across the world that I never would have crossed paths with otherwise. It has been an incredible experience and I cannot imagine what my MBA would have been like without it.
