Ahmad Karim Katta MM 25
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Profile

Ahmad Karim Katta MM 25

I chose UC Davis for its vibrant student community and the opportunity to join an inaugural cohort on a world-class campus. Beyond academics, I explored diverse clubs, trained at the Equestrian Center, and leveraged its proximity to the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

Current Position

  • Program Officer & Project Manager, Avicenna-Studienwerk

Previous Work Experience

  • Product Manager & Senior Art Director, SailyGroup AG VC
  • Art Director, Serviceplan Group Middle East

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Hochschule Düsseldorf (HSD) University of Applied Sciences

Fun Facts

  • I speak three languages fluently
Elle Grossenbacher MBA 17
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Profile

Elle Grossenbacher MBA 17

Working full time during a career turning point, I needed a flexible, high-quality MBA. UC Davis offered a top-ranked part-time program with the same curriculum, courses and experiences, plus a capstone, Leadership Fellowship and the Big Bang! competition.

Current Position

  • Founder and Host, Product Marketing Adventures Podcast

Previous Work Experience

  • Product Marketing Leader, Cisco
  • Principal Product Marketing Manager, Twilio
  • Market Strategy Consultant, Gartner

Previous Education

  • MBA, UC Davis
  • B.A. in psychology, UC Davis
  • B.A. in design, UC Davis

Fun Facts

  • I went skydiving when I was 16-years-old. 
  • I'm a
Sierra Muns MM 26
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Profile

Sierra Muns MM 26

I chose UC Davis because it offered the rare opportunity to grow academically while continuing to compete at a high level in gymnastics.

Previous Education

  • B.S. in youth and family sciences, West Virginia University

Fun Fact

  • I moved across the country from New Jersey to California to pursue both competitive gymnastics and my master’s at UC Davis.
  • I’m already thinking about how I can combine my love for gymnastics with business to create something of my own one day.
  • I chose UC Davis because it let me do both: push myself academically and continue competing in the sport I love.
Griffin Mitchell MPAc 18
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Profile

Griffin Mitchell MPAc 18

The UC Davis MPAc program was introduced to me by Bob Yetman and Will Snyder. My first impressions were impactful. The professionalism of the faculty extended throughout the program. The facilities were state-of-the-art, and the curriculum was taught by experienced professionals who were also excellent educators.

Current Position

  • Vice President, Azur Associates

Previous Work Experience

  • Senior Associate, PwC (Assurance, Asset Management and Private Client Services, Wine)
  • Senior Consultant, Deloitte (Technology, Media and Telecommunications)
  • Investment Banking Associate, Skyway Capital Markets

Previous

Harcharan Kaur MBA 26
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Profile

Harcharan Kaur MBA 26

I chose the UC Davis Graduate School of Management for its academic rigor, real-world learning and collaborative culture. The Bay Area network and flexible format allow me to grow professionally while continuing my full-time marketing career.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • Director of Marketing, UC Davis Graduate School of Management Bay Area Student Association

Previous Education

  • B.S.in molecular, cell, and developmental biology, UC Santa Cruz

Work Experience

  • Lifecycle Marketing Manager, Hero Bread

Fun Fact

  • I love traveling, and my daughter started young—she logged 30+ flights before her first
Katja Gagen MBA 22
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Profile

Katja Gagen MBA 22

I chose the UC Davis MBA for its STEM designation, innovation-driven curriculum, IMPACT learning model and collaborative culture.

Current Position

  • Head of Communications at Bloom Energy

Previous Work Experience

  • Principal and Head of Marketing at Technology Crossover Ventures
  • Head of External Communications at Brex
  • VP Marketing at General Catalyst
  • VP Marketing at Warburg Pincus
  • Senior Manager, Executive Communications at Cisco

Previous Education

  • M.A. in political science, international relations, languages, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Germany
  • B.A. in business management, Berlin University of Applied
Mark Soliman
Mark Soliman
Profile

Mark Soliman

UC Davis Undergraduate

I chose UC Davis for its computational math program and the chance to be surrounded by nature. It's hard to beat studying applied math in a place where you can step outside and immediately feel removed from the noise.

Since arriving, I've had the opportunity to work on AI policy research with the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society at the Graduate School of Management, which has let me apply computational tools to real-world problems in ways I didn't initially expect. That combination of strong academics and meaningful research opportunities has made Davis the right fit.

Student

Stephanie Martinez MBA 26
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Profile

Stephanie Martinez MBA 26

I chose UC Davis because it was time to grow into the leader I want to become. The Sacramento Part-Time MBA’s hybrid format let me continue my philanthropy work while building new skills and a compassionate, driven network.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • MBA International Study Trip (IST) to Santiago, Chile

Previous Education

  • B.A. in global studies, Sonoma State University 

Previous Work Experience

  • Program Manager, Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund

Fun Facts

  •  I'm an alumni and advocate of Summer Search, which empowers high school students from low-income communities to overcome systemic inequities
Insights into Incentive Architecture in Marketing
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Blog

Insights into Incentive Architecture in Marketing

New UC Davis research shows technologies like AI are reshaping relationships

Marketing is ultimately about creating value, which requires managing relationships across customers, channel partners, agencies, and platforms. Yet behind every successful interorganizational relationship lies something less visible but far more powerful: incentives.

Thomas Mirabella MM 25
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Profile

Thomas Mirabella MM 25

UC Davis offered the unique balance I was looking for: a respected graduate business program in California and the ability to finish my Division-1 football career at the same time.

Current Position

  • Secondary Capital Markets Analyst, City National Bank, a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Previous Work Experience

  • Five-year NCAA Division-1 Student-Athlete, Football

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Science in business administration finance concentration, San Diego State University

Fun Facts

  • I’m a big car enthusiast who loves following new model releases, detailing and working on my own car.
  • I
Maikhou Thao MBA 26
Maikhou Thao
Profile

Maikhou Thao MBA 26

I chose UC Davis’ Full-Time MBA to strengthen leadership, honor my Hmong-American identity, and build skills, networks and culturally responsive business practices to drive inclusive, community-centered change for future leaders.

Work Experience

  • Director of Movement Building Initiatives, Everyday Impact Consulting

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in sociology, CSU, Chico

Fun Facts

  • I love taking nature photos. 
  • I have watched the full "Friends" show over 50 times.  
  • I played the flute for seven years as a kid and listen to music daily.
Emmanuel Durojaiye MM 26
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Profile

Emmanuel Durojaiye MM 26

I first experienced UC Davis through SIEML, where meeting faculty, seeing real classrooms and learning how management skills accelerate technical careers clarified my path into project management leadership.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • Co-founder and Creative Director, "MSU CREATIVES" student-led digital media team
  • Coordinator, SIEML

Work Experience

  • Quality Engineer, The Boeing Company
  • Tax Technology Intern, RSM 
  • Human Centered Design Thinking Research Intern, Johns Hopkins University
  • Athletics Creative Director, Morgan State University

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Science in industrial systems
Natalie Webster MBA 26
Natalie Webster
Profile

Natalie Webster MBA 26

I chose UC Davis for its collaborative culture. The program strengthened my business and leadership skills, helping me scale community-focused work and grow into a more thoughtful, intentional leader committed to healthcare impact.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • Director of Programming, Health Care Council

Work Experience

  • Disability Health Equity Graduate Intern, California Department of Public Health
  • Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator, UC Davis Health

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Science in psychology with biological emphasis, UC Davis

Fun Facts

  • I’ve traveled to 28 countries and love
Prachi Mishra MBA 24
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Profile

Prachi Mishra MBA 24

I chose UC Davis for its blend of cutting-edge technology, collaborative leadership and business acumen that prepares me to excel.

Current Position

  • Product Marketing Manager, NVIDIA

Previous Work Experience

  • Product Marketing Manager, Onymos

Previous Education

  • B.A. in economics, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU), India

Fun Facts

  • I was a property manager for a hostel in a remote mountain village, keeping backpackers happy and cozy in the heart of the Himalayas.
  • My house is basically a jungle with about 40 indoor plant buddies. I've turned my home into a green oasis.
  • If I weren't busy
Roshan Paul MBA 25
Roshan Paul
Profile

Roshan Paul MBA 25

I chose UC Davis to gain academic rigor, understand the full food supply chain and connect restaurant consulting experience to agriculture through the Industry Immersion.

Current Position

System Analyst, Taylor Farms

Previous Work Experience

  • Sales Intern, Taylor Farms
  • Sales Development Intern, Veryfi
  • Assistant Manager - Consulting & Implementation, DotPe
  • Customer Success Manager, EagleOwl
  • New Business Acquisition Associate, Blowhorn

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Science in computer science, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, India

Fun Facts

  • I'm the only non-doctor in my family, so I have just
Sara Howard MBA 19
Sara Howard
Profile

Sara Howard MBA 19

I chose UC Davis for its emphasis on collaborative leadership—team-based coursework, shared accountability and real-world complexity that proved success comes from influencing together, not individual heroics.

Current Position

  • Chief of Staff at Signify Health, a CVS Health company 

Previous Work Experience

  • Executive Director, Strategic Operations, CVS Careside  
  • Director, Transitional Care Operations, CVS Health 
  • Director, Care Delivery Strategy, CVS Health
  • Director, Dialysis Services, CVS Kidney Care 
  • Sr. Manager, B2B Strategy & Market Intelligence, CVS/pharmacy 
  • Sr. Manager, Chronic Care, CVS Health
  • M
Vedant Patel MSBA 26
Vedant Patel
Profile

Vedant Patel MSBA 26

I chose the UC Davis MSBA for its location, practicum and STEM focus, and for the opportunity to apply my computer engineering skills at my alma mater.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • Board Member, Club Membership

Work Experience

  • Information Security Analyst, UC Davis

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Science in computer engineering, UC Davis

Fun Facts

  • I love traveling and have been to more than 10 countries so far.
  • I love playing badminton and other sports.
  • I love dancing and exploring nature through hikes and trails.
Yvonne Shang MSBA 26
Yvonne Shang
Profile

Yvonne Shang MSBA 26

I chose UC Davis for its MSBA program, rigorous coursework and location in the heart of San Francisco.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • Women in Sports

Work Experience

  • Customer Experience, University of San Francisco Athletics 

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, business analytics, University of San Francisco 

Fun Facts

  • I played golf for Team Singapore, the national team.
  • I love to try out food around San Francisco.
  • I love watching movies.
Katya Fomin MPAc 26
Katya Fomin
Profile

Katya Fomin MPAc 26

I chose UC Davis for the close-knit community, nature and ability to grow academically while remaining involved in the music scene.

Work Experience

  • Founder, Velvet Red Productions

Previous Education

  • B.S in neurobiology, physiology and behavior; minor in professional writing, UC Davis

Fun Facts

  • I always have a yerba mate with me when I go to class.
  • I love hot yoga and pilates.
  • I enjoy spending time with friends and having game nights.
Prasanti Cuttalambakkam Nadadur MBA 26
Prasanti Cuttalambakkam Nadadur
Profile

Prasanti Cuttalambakkam Nadadur MBA 26

I chose UC Davis for its collaborative culture, close-knit cohort, and opportunities like IMP and Industry Immersions that support real professional growth.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • Director of Marketing, GSM Student Association
  • Director of Corporate Sponsorships, GSM Student Association

Work Experience

  • Corporate Planning & Business Operation Intern, Intuit
  • Technology Consultant, Deloitte Consulting

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Technology in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India

Fun Facts

  • I love exploring national parks and