Texas MBAs are a diverse and collaborative group of innovators determined to make a positive impact in the business world and beyond. Our current students play a vital role in the admissions process, adding a student perspective and making personal connections with prospective students by participating in recruiting events, conducting class visits and tours of McCombs, leading info sessions, and answering phone calls and emails. Get to know some current MBAs through the profiles below and contact them directly with any questions you may have. Also, be sure to check out our student blog for additional insight into student life at McCombs.
Explore a sample of our MBA students by clicking on the photos to the left.
Karika Purohit,
MBA '14
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Pre-MBA Job: Corporate Strategy and M&A, PRGX Global, Inc.
Undergrad: Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
MBA Concentration: Marketing and Management
Why McCombs?
"Besides the strong, flexible curriculum and expansive leadership opportunities, the culture and people at McCombs are what solidified my great interest in the program. I was looking to obtain a holistic and all-rounded experience in business school, and I felt McCombs was the strongest from this perspective...and I was so right!"
Email Karika at
Karika.Purohit@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Adam Lieb,
MBA '13
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pre-MBA Job: Strategy and Operations Consultant, Deloitte Consulting
Undergrad Institution: Political Science, Allegheny College
MBA Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Why did you join MAC?
"I joined the MAC because of the excellent experience that I had with MAC members during my application process. I wanted to be able to help provide the same positive experience to prospective students and help to build and shape the culture of the McCombs MBA program for the future."
Email Adam at Adam.Lieb@mba13.mccombs.utexas.edu
Sally Stone,
MBA '14
Hometown: La Jolla, California
Pre-MBA Job: Legislative Assistant to Congressman McCaul, U.S. House of Representatives
Undergrad: History, University of Michigan
MBA Concentration: Analysis of Markets
Why McCombs?
"The students I interacted with through the application process made my decision. McCombs has a diverse and collaborative environment with the nation's brightest and most innovative thinkers. I wanted a program where I learn just as much from my classmates as from the courses - McCombs has the perfect program for that opportunity."
Email Sally at Sally.Stone@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Vic Pedregon,
MBA '14
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Pre-MBA Job: Army Helicopter Pilot
Undergrad: Mechanical Engineering, United States Military Academy
MBA Concentration: Operations
Why McCombs?
"McCombs has the right mix of faculty, students, and pride that makes it an amazing institute for students to succeed and feel like part of a great organization. I am thrilled to be a student at McCombs and work with some of the best and brightest in the nation."
Email Vic at Viterbo.Pedregon@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Lilly Yeh,
MBA '14
Hometown: Broomall, Pennsylvania
Pre-MBA Job: Healthcare-Payer Consultant, Accenture
Undergrad: Chemical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
MBA Concentration: Healthcare
Why McCombs?
"The culture at McCombs is very inviting. I found all the students and professors I talked with to be so friendly and easy to talk to, and I really liked how the school is competitive without being cutthroat."
Email Lilly at
Lilly.Yeh@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Julie Bruce,
MBA '13
Hometown: Radnor, Pennsylvania
Pre-MBA Job: Strategy and Operations Consultant, Deloitte Consulting
Undergrad Institution: Finance, Penn State University
MBA Concentration: General Management
Why did you join MAC?
"I joined MAC because I love to be involved in recruiting. At Deloitte, I led our Penn State recruiting efforts and I wanted to be able to have a similar impact while I am in school. I also enjoy meeting prospective students and helping them decide what program would be the best fit for them."
Email Julie at Julie.Bruce@mba13.mccombs.utexas.edu
Graham Smith,
MBA '13
Hometown: Dalton, Massachusetts
Pre-MBA Job: Chef
Undergrad Institution: Economics, University of Colorado - Boulder
MBA Concentration: Operations
From the Kitchen to the Classroom
"McCombs has exceeded even my most outlandish expectations for an MBA program. Although I am looking to change careers, there were many aspects of my job that I loved and that I was fearful I would have to give up in business school. I loved the never-ending surprises I was forced to confront each day and the frenetic pace of a kitchen. I also loved the fun, family-like atmosphere among my coworkers and the pleasure I got from spending my days with them. I expected business school to be a bit less exciting and the people to be a bit more reserved. But, happily, neither of these presumptions have been even slightly truthful. I am constantly amazed at how great all my classmates are and how much energy there is in my classes. The best thing about the program is that I get to attend classes with intelligent people who are happy to be students, learn from top notch professors who are happy to be teaching, and interact with wonderful administrators who are happy to help us in any way they can. McCombs is a wonderful place to be."
Email Graham at Graham.Smith@mba13.mccombs.utexas.edu
Jaime Sutton,
MBA '13
Hometown: Bainbridge, Ohio
Pre-MBA Job: Director of Campus Marketing, MyEdu.com
Undergrad Institution: Marketing, The University of Texas at Austin
MBA Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Why did you join MAC?
"I chose to be involved with MAC so I could help influence the future of the full-time program at McCombs. Besides being passionate about the University of Texas, I truly believe that McCombs offers something more, and I want to share my enthusiasm with prospective students. It is exciting and fun to work with Admissions and represent our program!"
Email Jaime at Jaime.Sutton@mba13.mccombs.utexas.edu
Alexander Richardson,
MBA '14
Hometown: Waldorf, Maryland
Pre-MBA Job: Sr. Assistant Director of Undergrad Admissions, Yale University
Undergrad: Astrophysics, Yale University
MBA Concentration: Information Management
Why McCombs?
"McCombs is a great school with awesome teachers, a strong technology program and a vibrant, hip location. I have been blown away by the collaboration of my truly outstanding classmates and look forward to learning alongside of them for the next year and a half. Also, McCombs has an alumni network that rivals my undergraduate alma mater in its breadth and depth."
Email Alex at Alex.Richardson@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Mathilde Bussiere,
MBA '14
Hometown: Paris, France
Pre-MBA Job: Corporate Attorney, Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP
Undergrad: Law, Université de Paris X - Nanterre
MBA Concentration: General Management
Why McCombs?
"I chose McCombs because of the MBA program's unique student body and faculty. The highly collaborative environment and close relationships I am developing with my peers are helping me build a terrific network. Also, Austin is a booming and exciting city to live in right now, where opportunities are limitless."
Email Mathilde at
Mathilde.Bussiere@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
CJ Dungan,
MBA '14
Hometown: Schertz, Texas
Pre-MBA Job: Mechanical Engineer
Undergrad: Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
MBA Concentration: Management Consulting and Global Business
Why McCombs?
"McCombs has a great culture, great faculty, and great reputation in the business world. The cohort and class sizes make it easy to get to know your classmates and really encourages students to share interests and pursue business ideas together. Finally, Texas is the place to be, both in terms of business opportunities as well as cultural exposure."
Email CJ at
Clinton.Dungan@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Ale Carlos,
MBA '13
Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Pre-MBA Job: Senior Analyst
Undergrad Institution: University of Texas at Austin
Undergrad Major: Management Information Systems
MBA Concentration: High Tech Marketing
Building Memorable Experiences
"McCombs has the perfect mix of community, hands-on opportunities and great professors all under the hallmark attitude of collaboration. Everyone really goes out of their way to make the experience memorable. I had Dean Gilligan as my core Macroeconomics teacher. I have run into him at random times around school and he always takes the time to ask about my experience in the MBA program, making sure I’m getting what I want out of the MBA. His perspective is truly global, and as an international student I was able to receive great career advice from none other than Dean Gilligan!"
Email Ale at Alejandra.Carlos-Padilla@mba13.mccombs.utexas.edu
Ziad Haddad,
MBA '14
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Pre-MBA Job: Perkins+Will
Undergrad: Architecture, University of Michigan
MBA Concentration: Real Estate Finance
Why McCombs?
"When I visited McCombs I felt a sense of belonging. I like the collaboration amongst the students as opposed to the competition. In addition, the social environment at McCombs helps overcome any educational or stressful hurdles that we go through during the two years. Furthermore, Austin is great city. I am planning on doing Real Estate Development after I graduate, and this city has a lot to offer in that field."
Email Ziad at Ziad.Haddad@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Elsa Monge,
MBA '14
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Pre-MBA Job: Marketing Strategy Analyst, American Airlines
Undergrad: Marketing and Latin American Studies, Southern Methodist University
MBA Concentration: Brand and Product Management
Why McCombs?
"I immediately felt at home in Austin, with its buzzing community and friendly students and faculty who together build an enriching environment that allows for personal growth both inside and outside of McCombs."
Email Elsa at Elsa.Monge@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu
Alexander Pollard,
MBA '14
Hometown: St. Augustine, Florida
Pre-MBA Job: Product Manager, Bank of America
Undergrad: Finance, University of Florida
MBA Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Why McCombs?
"McCombs has that rare blend of top-tier academics, highly-ranked entrepreneurship concentration, and smaller class size while also being located in an electrifying city and thriving start-up community that I was looking for in a MBA experience. Many of my classmates embody the entrepreneurial spirit, which inspires me every day to be innovative and collaborate on ideas. Learning at McCombs extends beyond the classroom by providing numerous hands-on opportunities. If you have entrepreneurial aspirations, there is no better program."
Email Alexander at Alexander.Pollard@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu