Jibril Ali-Halane
University of Washington, Foster School of Business
“First-gen Somali, ambitious and strategic thinker, global explorer, music lover, deeply rooted in community.”
Fun fact about yourself: I’ve been playing the Trombone for about 10 years
Hometown: Burien, Washington
High School: Raisbeck Aviation High School
Major: Finance & Information Systems
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: International Business (IBUS 300) with Leta Beard
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Senior Advisor & Past Treasurer for UW National Association of Black Accountants Chapter
- Young Executives of Color, Mentor
- Hovind Global Leaders, Program Participant
- Building Networks, Mentor
- UW Brotherhood Initiative, Peer Mentor
- Business Bridge Mentee
- Global Visionaries Volunteer
- Thaddeus H. Spratlen Endowed Scholarship
- Costco Diversity Scholar
- Frazier Scholar
- Flip Morse Scholarship
- MLT Ascend Scholar
- Enrich Scholar
- Dean’s List: Spring 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024, Autumn 2024
Where have you interned during your college career?
Cisco Systems, Inc. – Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, LIFT Financial Analyst Intern
Pricewaterhousecoopers (PwC) – Seattle, Washington, Nonprofit Consulting Extern
Sheng-Yen Lu Foundation – Bellevue, Washington, GIV Fellow
Costco Wholesale Corporation – Issaquah, Washington, Accounting (AP Support) Intern
Global Visionaries – Seattle, Washington, Business Administration & Marketing Intern
Where will you be working after graduation? I will continue working within the field of financial/strategic analysis.
Who is your favorite business professor? My favorite business professor would be my operations management professor, Jennifer Graves. I truly enjoyed the interactive aspects of the course, as well as the incorporation of real-world examples within every facet of the material.
Whether it be concepts regarding inventory management or project management, her teaching style was full of energy, and you found it easy to ask questions and contribute to meaningful discussions within class constantly. It was an environment where I felt comfortable & confident in reaching the professor to understand more.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson would be understanding the universal aspects of business and how concepts and skills learned can be applied anywhere. It permeates almost every corner of society. I’ve found that things learned through study, such as organizational management, information systems, operations management, or finance have helped me immensely in professional and general settings.
The same is true for general skills gained through business education, such as soft skills pertaining to leadership, communication, and adaptability. The ability to analyze, break down, and present ideas honed through consistency has given me a lot. The emphasis on developing a network is also something I learned, as it becomes a web where opportunities are mutually shared. Such skills and concepts enable growth across many instances, whether it be optimizing systems with information systems, leading groups with organizational management, or forecasting cash flows with financial concepts. The sheer diversity of knowledge within business allows one to become a multi-faceted contributor and leader.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? First, I’d say to expand your academic pursuits, even if it’s just within business. Take informatics and entrepreneurship courses or combine finance and information systems majors, as there’s overlap between majors, courses, and concepts that come together when you’re out in professional settings. Second, have an eagerness to get involved in business-oriented organizations or activities to really develop a network and community of like-minded individuals who will empower and help you along the way.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I would advise students to dive headfirst into things like I did during my freshman year. I was essentially trying to maximize my time and make the most of my experience at the business school. This is true whether via multiple clubs, professional associations, career/professional events, case competitions, and developing the network I now have. While I’ve since been able to do all of this, it’s best to cultivate those valuable communities as early as possible.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? Besides understanding how AI can enhance decision-making in finance, marketing, and operations, I’d say emphasizing AI as a tool in aiding one’s work rather than replacing it. This has been a prevailing concept I’ve seen personally from courses such as Mergers & Acquisitions to Real Estate Finance & Investment, and it’s something I believe in. Furthermore, whether it be working with Python and SQL or calling upon AI to understand errors in code in courses like Application Programming or Database Management, I’ve continued to see that AI is a powerful tool for efficiency. Still, human intuition and judgment remain critical, and this balance has been essential for me.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? (and why?) Everything I’ve done has been underscored by my desire to foster diverse experiences where I can learn more. In a general sense, I’m proud of the imprint I’ve managed to leave on campus driven by a commitment to get involved with a variety of communities, whether it be the Undergraduate Diversity Services (UDS), campus programs like Brotherhood Initiative, or student organizations (RSO’s).
This drive to do more has culminated in many personal achievements. Still, one that immediately comes to mind relates to a Phil Smart Challenge I received at an Eagle Scout Banquet in 2022. The challenge entailed receiving $1,000 for any particular positive cause or project. When pondering the type of impact I wanted to make regarding the challenge, I knew it had to be tangible. By that, I mean something that was long-lasting and provided sustenance. As a result, I decided to aid and fund well-construction for those in need. The project was located within the Kismayo region of Southern Somalia in a small rural village called Farjan. It has a population of 200, and there was a significant need for water. Typically, people from the village would walk large distances, typically 5-10 kilometers, to get this necessity. I am Somali, and my parents immigrated from the country in the 90s. I jumped at the chance when I had the opportunity to make a significant communal contribution in my home country.
Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I most admire is Tensae Yohannes, whom I met before the start of my Freshman year in a pipeline program called Business Bridge. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to share many classes with him and programs like the Brotherhood Initiative and Brothers in Color. Here, he has distinguished himself as a leader who pursues academic, professional, and personal excellence. Much more than that, he’s a dependable friend I can count on for laughs, perspectives, insights, and support.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my mother, Anab Abdullahi. Words cannot express my immense gratitude for her selflessness, character, and perseverance in providing a great life and fulfilling opportunities for our family. She has taught me the principles of compassion, collaboration, and humility. Having to leave Somalia due to the Civil War, bouncing from Italy to Canada before ending up in the United States. Despite this struggle and migration, her iron will, and strong mentality enabled her to provide an ideal environment for three sons, and my work ethic and attitude reflect the positive things she continues to teach me.
As a caseworker and leader within our community, she has connected with and communicated the needs of numerous families who will never forget her work. She continues to shape my perception of what it means to be a hard worker and changemaker. I can only hope to live a life as fruitful as hers, and as she keeps moving forward, I’ll be right behind her, admiring each step she takes.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1. Pursuing an MBA
2. Working abroad: Having participated in study abroad programs in Italy and India, I’ve seen how cross-cultural collaboration fosters so much growth, and working abroad presents a unique opportunity to interact with diverse perspectives.
What made Jibril such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“Jibril is a once-in-a-lifetime student whose enthusiasm and positivity are completely infectious! Jibril’s presence in a classroom, program, or event ensures that discussions will be characterized by curiosity, collaboration, and camaraderie. The Foster community has benefited greatly from his leadership, as he has served as a mentor in our Young Executives of Color (pipeline program for high school students), a Building Networks mentor (pipeline program for transfer students), and on the leadership team for Black Leaders in Business.
Notably, Jibril has taken a global perspective to his leadership development, as he has participated on several study abroad programs and served as an intern for Global Visionaries. He is consistently willing to contribute a cross-cultural or international perspective into classroom discussions and event planning. His talents and charisma have been recognized in the corporate world with high impact internships at Cisco, PwC, YouthRoots, and Costco.
It has been inspiring and gratifying to see Jibril move from a high school student in our pipeline program to becoming a mentor who helps run the program. I am so grateful to Jibril for his commitment to our community and the many ways in which he keeps us focused on using business to uplift those around us.”
Christina T. Fong
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Michael G. Foster Endowed Professor of Management
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