2019 Best & Brightest: Ashwini Krishnamurthy, Emory University (Goizueta)

Ashwini Krishnamurthy

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

 “An entrepreneurial Indian-American healthcare enthusiast walks into a bar singing that country song nobody requested…”

Fun fact about yourself: I live next to an alpaca farm and the world’s largest rocking chair!

Hometown: Rolla, Missouri

High School: Rolla High School

Major: Finance

Concentration: Health Innovations

Favorite Business Courses: Business & Society, Business Law, Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs, Frontiers of Illiquid Alternative Investments

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Leadership & Community Involvement
American Mock World Health Organization, National Finance & Sustainability Advisor

·       Emory President and Co-Director of the 2017 International Conference

·       Awarded 2017 “Large Program of the Year”

Emory Impact Investing Group (EIIG), Chief Executive Officer

·       Helped raise capital to become a $100,000 impact fund focused on supporting entrepreneurs in economically underserved areas of Atlanta (www.emoryimpactinvesting.com)

·       Moderated three 100+ attendee community events, including the 2018 SunTrust Institutional Investment Conference

Emory University, Center for Ethics, Ethics & the Arts Intern

Emory University School of Medicine, Renal Division, Research Assistant

Goizueta Career Management Center, Career Management Coach
Goizueta Programming Office, Orientation Leader

 

Honors & Awards
American Physiological Society’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship Award, Case Foundation

Commitment Maker Award, Clinton Global Initiative

Emory 100 Senior Honorary
Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society

 

Where have you interned during your college career?

Company Name Location Role
Centerview Partners New York, NY Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Diversified Trust Atlanta, GA Investment Research Summer Analyst
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Kansas City, MO Entrepreneurship & Education Intern
Brewer Science Rolla, MO Business Strategy Intern

 

Where will you be working after graduation? I am excited to return to Centerview Partners as an analyst after graduation.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? There is no singular path through business school or beyond it. Stick to a cause or industry you care about and take advantage of the surrounding opportunities and people – you will come out a better version of yourself on the other side.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I never thought so much of my business school education would take place outside of the classroom. For example, Emory Impact Investing Group, the first undergraduate-run impact investing fund, works to improve the economic vitality of Atlanta. As an organization, we’ve raised $100,000 to provide microloans and consulting services to entrepreneurs who lack access to capital in high-poverty areas of Atlanta. We’ve translated classroom concepts to community action, supporting 6+ entrepreneurs that are creating jobs for immigrants and refugees, providing more equitable access to legal care, opening local storefronts, promoting diversity, and much more.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…Biology, figuring out how to become an entrepreneur.”

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I had the opportunity to publish some of my medical research, which earns some street cred with my dad (he’s a professor).

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? One night over nachos (obviously), a mentor told me that I would eventually come across a specific problem that captivated my attention and be one of the few who actually did something about it. I knew I couldn’t wait for that problem to find me. Business is my way of finding this problem and its possible solution. (Thanks, Casey.)

Which classmate do you most admire? Willi Freire is an inspiration, and I’m extremely fortunate to call him a classmate and best friend. He adds life to every situation and brings out the best, most compassionate version of those around him, including myself. As a low-income, undocumented first-generation student, he dedicates his voice and time to create an undergraduate experience that’s inclusive and supportive of everyone. If you get the chance, take Willi to lunch. His friendship and perspective are invaluable, guaranteed.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I don’t think I’ll ever have a personal definition of success, but my life has been shaped by several diverse, selfless mentors. Through their actions, I know the value of individual relationships, the strength of community, and the impact of working towards something greater than myself.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

  1. Make a bucket list.
  2. Moon brewery.

What are your hobbies? I enjoy eating barbecue after a long hike and some tennis before going out for a wild night of Sudoku, art galleries, and karaoke with friends. Too specific?

What made Ashwini such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019?

“It takes a considerable amount of professional confidence and business acumen to discuss the importance of economic empowerment and command a room full of seasoned professionals. It requires empathy and insight to lead a panel of entrepreneurs through a discussion of their own founding journeys while maintaining the rapt attention of a crowd of students. It takes passion and moxie to raise tens of thousands of dollars from strangers on behalf of an endeavor many have not previously considered.  To achieve all of this as a 20-ish college undergraduate is nothing short of a remarkable accomplishment, but Ashwini Krishnamurthy does so with an easy grace, a terrific sense of humor, and consistent humility.

Her favorite faculty member, Wes Longhofer, probably describes her best:

“As a Kansan, I am naturally skeptical of people from Missouri, but Ashwini’s passion for scholarship and social change is infectious. She is the kind of student that makes her professors think and her community shine. Whether it is calling attention to the microbusiness gap in Atlanta or staging a mock World Health Organization summit, Ashwini has shown that our most pressing social problems are also business ones. My class tries to highlight those individuals bringing humanity and compassion into their business. I have no doubt I will be asking Ashwini to visit future classes to share her story.”

Ashwini Krishnamurthy is not a common name.  Note it well, for we will surely be hearing great things about her in the future and the Goizueta Business School will be incredibly proud to have her name attached to ours!”

Andrea Hershatter
Sr. Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
BBA Program Director
Goizueta Business School

and

Wesley Longhofer
Assistant Professor of Organization and Management
Goizueta Business School

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