2023 Best & Brightest Business Major: Daniella Nakash, Emory University (Goizueta)

Daniella Nakash

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

“Future CEO: Corporate Email-jargon Opponent. Anyway, let’s circle back later – send me an Outlook invite.”

Fun fact about yourself: Amid the pandemic, I took it upon myself to research Tik Tok’s algorithm for the perfect formula to achieve a viral video. After some trial-and-error, I succeeded by producing a video starring a traveling snowball, gaining over 3 million views.

Hometown: Long Island, New York

High School: Great Neck North High School

Major: Information Systems & Operations Management and Strategy & Management Consulting

Minor: n/a

Favorite Business Course: Business Law

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Campus Involvements:

  • Goizueta BBA Council President
  • TAMID at Emory President
  • Emory College and Goizueta Orientation Leader
  • Emory Panhellenic Council VP of Recruitment and Executive Vice President
  • University Student Leadership Council, BBA Representative
  • Emory Election’s Board, BBA Representative
  • Wonderful Wednesday Moderator
  • Emory Goizueta Teaching Assistant for Data and Decision Analytics, Corporate Finance and Negotiations
  • Student Programming Council Member
  • CodeEmory Chief Marketing Officer
  • Goizueta Pre-BBA Coach

Honors/Awards:

  • Emory University 100 Senior Honorary
  • Emory College and Goizueta Dean’s List
  • Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
  • Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
  • TAMID at Emory Case Competition

Where have you interned during your college career?

Warner Bros. Discovery (New York, NY), Product Management Intern

Konnecto (Tel Aviv, IL), Data Acquisition Intern

Ringle (Virtual) English Tutor

Where will you be working after graduation? After graduating, I will be returning to Warner Bros. Discovery in New York City as an Associate Product Manager.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? My studies in business have provided me with numerous opportunities to collaborate with others. The most significant lesson I have learned is that being a successful business leader is not solely about possessing the most knowledge; rather, it involves being resourceful, seeking support from peers, and utilizing creativity to solve problems and venture into the unknown.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would encourage students to explore business areas that may intimidate them. The realm of business offers a broad range of courses, so I urge these students to take advantage of this! Do not be deterred by stereotypes and, instead focus on taking classes that spark your interest—regardless of the level of difficulty or relevance to your future career-goals. The skills and knowledge learned are invaluable and may even lead to unexpected opportunities and interests.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? One of the most unexpected surprises about majoring in business is the breadth of knowledge and skills I have gained. For example, my Information Systems and Operations Management courses have given me the opportunity to learn coding languages, my Business Law class taught me the basics of law and my studies in Organization and Management have taught me principles of psychology and sociology. The interdisciplinary nature of business has presented me with countless opportunities to learn about a variety of subjects, enriching my educational experience and preparing me for the dynamic world of business.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? If given the opportunity to change an aspect of my experience at Goizueta, I would have pursued more academic opportunities in addition to my area depths. Ideally, I would have loved to continue pursuing further finance electives, as Corporate Finance was one of my favorite classes at Goizueta.

What business leader do you admire most? At the heart of every great business leader lies the determination to turn adversity into opportunity. It is with deep admiration that I recognize two influential visionaries in my life: my grandfather, Isaac Khazzam and (step) father, Bruno Loosli. As first-generation US citizens, they share an unparalleled work ethic and key traits of intelligence, dedication, humility, agility, and adaptability. As leaders and experts in their respective fields, they are both continually learning, evolving, innovating, and raising their expectations.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Leading Goizueta’s BBA Council is undoubtedly one of my most fulfilling experiences. BBA Council is comprised of incredibly talented and dedicated leaders who truly serve the business school in all facets. I am proud to have played a role in facilitating and empowering these members to reach their remarkable accomplishments. In addition to working closely with our business school leaders, I have also had the privilege of collaborating with other divisions of Emory and Emory University administrators to enhance the overall Emory experience for all.

Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate that I admire the most is Owen Breen. As President and Executive Vice President on BBA Council, we have shared countless experiences that have shaped both of our leadership journeys. His unwavering support, kindness, and sense of humor have been essential to our success, and his reliability and dedication have earned him the trust and admiration of those around him. Owen is a role model for us all and constantly pushes me to become a better leader and individual.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? Reflecting on my journey thus far, I owe every achievement I have earned to my mother, Rachel Khazzam. She is a remarkable human being and has shown me what it means to earn the respect of others. I am forever grateful for her love, guidance, and belief in me, and I hope to continue to make her proud.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? In the future, I would love to bring an original idea to life by coding and publishing my own app, and I hope to give a TED talk on a topic I am passionate about.

What are your hobbies? I enjoy playing and watching tennis, traveling to foreign destinations and (attempting) to learn new languages, and exploring new restaurants with friends and family.

What made Dani such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?

“Dani combines boundless energy with a can-do attitude.  The range of activities she has “pursued at Emory is notably wide, while her engagement in each has been deep. Part of her ability to have such a positive impact on so many areas of the university is that she fully embraces innovative thinking and, while her decision making is slow enough to be inclusive, her cycle time from idea to implementation is impressively short. She has additionally amassed a distinguished academic record that places her near the top of her class and brings this dynamism to the classroom. Professor Jo, for whom she serves as a TA, says she adds “an infectious level of enthusiasm to class discussions” and “goes above and beyond in helping create a better learning experience for her fellow students.” Her leadership style is beautifully summed up by BBA Director of Student Life, Paula Zwillich, “Part of what sets Dani apart is her ability to prioritize the larger BBA community. Her focus has always been bigger than herself; she defines her own success by how much she brings BBA students together and provides the best resources for them.”  By that measure, and any other, Dani Nakash is an incredibly successful member of the BBA Class of 2023.”

Andrea Hershatter
Sr. Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
Goizueta Business School

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