Fuqua’s Global Executive MBA provided me and my cohort with the opportunity to visit four continents and five countries, immersing ourselves in diverse cultures. In hindsight, I can tell what brought us together as a team was our shared commitment to humanity. Our intrinsic drive to make a meaningful difference became a recurring theme in my conversations with classmates. We sought opportunities to contribute to underserved communities in our own modest way.

The Global Impact Project emerged as a catalyst for change. With unwavering determination, we mobilized our cohort’s resources to enhance child education in marginalized communities. As I reflect on our journey, we recognize that our hearts for humanity transformed a mere academic pursuit into a powerful force for positive transformation.

The Fuqua Connection

MBAs are often celebrated for their ability to forge robust networks and lifelong connections. Yet, in our case, these connections transcended mere professional affiliations — they became the bedrock for a transformative endeavor spearheaded by our cohort, the Global Impact Project.

Each Global Executive MBA class is given the opportunity to form their own clubs based on our interests and goals. I feel my background and connection to living conditions outside the United States fueled my passion for our cohort’s mission with the Global Impact Project.

Our MBA experience was more than case studies and lectures; it was a tapestry of cultures, perspectives, and shared aspirations. It allowed us to find common ground beyond the classroom. Our backgrounds became the invisible threads that wove our purpose together — a purpose fueled by empathy and a desire to effect change where it mattered most.

During orientation, Dean Boulding delivered the impactful “IQ, EQ, DQ” speech. He emphasized the need for a holistic approach — an integration of intelligence quotient (IQ), emotional quotient (EQ), and decency quotient (DQ). While IQ and EQ were familiar concepts, it was the DQ component that resonated deeply with us. Dean Boulding’s words felt like a clarion call, urging us to elevate our interactions with the world. We weren’t just students; we were stewards of decency, entrusted with the task of making the spaces we inhabited more compassionate, more just.

Global Impact Projects

The Global Impact Project became our canvas — a place where IQ, EQ, and DQ converged to create ripples of positive change. As I reflect on our path, we recognize that our MBA experience was not confined to lecture halls. It was a catalyst for global transformation — one interaction, one act of decency at a time.

Our mission was clear: to uplift the lives of marginalized children through holistic development. Education, sports, nutrition — these were the building blocks we sought to provide. But our vision extended beyond mere assistance; we aimed to optimize operations, making them more efficient and effective. And so, armed with determination, we scouted organizations serving underprivileged communities, seeking ways to contribute both financially and physically.

Thailand, Foundation for Slum Child Care

Our first impact partnership blossomed with the Foundation for Slum Child Care (FSCC), an organization transforming the lives of low-income families in Bangkok. FSCC daycare centers provide essential care, food, and education for nearly 2,000 children.

Our cohort rallied together, volunteering their time in Thailand — a testament to the power of collective compassion. Our journey with the FSCC taught us that impact isn’t measured alone in grand gestures. It’s in the quiet moments — the shared laughter, the spark in a child’s eyes, the belief that change is possible.

India, Bucket List and Feeding India

Bucket List, a New Delhi community-based organization, weaves a tapestry that includes health, sports, rights, and art. It’s about nurturing the whole child — their physical well-being, their mental resilience, and their creative spirit. Extracurricular activities become lifelines, keeping families engaged and children enrolled. And when you peek into the heart of migrant communities, you’ll find Bucket List there, tirelessly building connections.

We got the opportunity to visit the homes of the children in the program, meet their families, and experience a day in their lives during our New Delhi residency. We played a full game of cricket with the Bucket List team that made the National Cricket Competition quarterfinals. The team taught us techniques and rules of the game whilst we shared our journeys with them. 

Feeding India is a non-governmental organization dedicated to eradicating hunger and malnutrition by providing daily meal support to vulnerable families. Feeding India partners with other non-profit organizations to provide meals to children in underserved areas, especially through schools. We quickly earmarked this partnership as not only an opportunity to serve but also to understand the operations of a self-sustaining NGO causing real change where it mattered the most.

Our experience involved a corporate visit to their offices in New Delhi, learning about formation, partnership with Zomato, operations including partner recruiting and vetting, cloud kitchen and diet planning for meals, and more. We visited a partner school to experience the impact of Feeding India’s operations. Witnessing their operation and impact on the community has deepened our belief in humanity and making an impact!

Looking ahead, I hope the Global Impact Project forges a path for future Fuqua MBAs to impact underserved communities around the world.