Lauder Institute Students Recognized by Poets & Quants

Two students from the Lauder Institute have been recognized by Poets & Quants as standout members of the MBA community. Mallika Patkar, named to the MBA Best & Brightest Class of 2025, and Araceli Sandoval, featured in Meet the MBA Class of 2026, reflect the dynamic, internationally-focused talent fostered at Lauder. Learn more about their experiences and the contributions they’re making to the Lauder and Wharton communities.

Mallika Patkar: Bridging Business, Culture, and Development

Mallika Patkar (G25, WG25), set to graduate from Lauder’s Africa (French) Program in May, has a background in developing financial solutions for underserved populations, with a career that has spanned 15 countries. In her interview with Poets & Quants, Mallika shares that Lauder has allowed her “to engage deeply with topics at the intersection of business, culture, politics, and economics.”

She highlights completing her master’s thesis (capstone) through the Lauder Institute as one of her proudest achievements during the two-year joint degree: “I chose to explore a topic that has fascinated me for years: cultural preservation and its role in economic development. To conduct my research, I traveled to Egypt, where I studied how museums serve national development goals through tourism, education, and even soft power. Beyond the research itself, this project has been meaningful because it reflects what drew me to Lauder in the first place—a chance to explore global issues through both business and cultural lenses.”

📖 Read Mallika’s full interview: Poets & Quants MBA Best and Brightest Class of 2025

Araceli Sandoval: A Trailblazer with a Global Vision

Araceli Sandoval (G26, WG26), a student in Lauder’s Latin America (Spanish) program is a graduate of West Point and a trailblazer in the U.S. Army. Araceli was one of the first female Armor officers, leading soldiers in combat arms and later serving in Special Operations. She leveraged her expertise in high-risk environments and foreign defense development to shape military logistics and strategy.

In her interview with Poets & Quants, Araceli shares why she chose Wharton and Lauder: “What truly sets Wharton apart is its focus on international business. While many MBA programs offer exchange opportunities or global immersions, Wharton has a unique joint degree with the Lauder Institute. As a Lauder and Wharton student, I am earning an MBA while also specializing in a regional concentration (Latin America). I am mastering an additional language and gaining a better understanding of international economics, business, and politics. For someone like me, with ambitions of pursuing a global career, this comprehensive approach was an indispensable factor in my decision.”

📖 Read Araceli’s full interview: Poets & Quants Meet the MBA Class of 2026

Published April 24, 2025