Priyanka Komala, MBA '13

Priyanka Komala, MBA ’13, works as Technology Director for The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in Washington D.C. In that role, she spearheads technology and digital strategy for the Life Sciences Division, one of six at the Academies.

But she enjoys considerable success in an unrelated arena as well: She’s an accomplished and recognized public speaker on a range of topics including happiness, mindfulness, potential of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), and women in technology.

Priyanka’s love of public speaking started early, with an impromptu stage appearance at age 5. More recently, she’s been very involved in the Toastmasters organization, holding a variety of leadership positions and being featured in its magazine as a Distinguished Toastmaster.

Most recently, in June she spoke at the inaugural conference sponsored by Women in Technology (WIT), a professional association. In October, she spoke at the Women of the World festival about her journey to explore happiness as an Indian woman.

Although Priyanka may be a natural, she notes that one of the benefits of her MBA experience was an improvement in her public speaking: “Ross gave me the confidence to ask for feedback.”

Prior to business school, Priyanka was enjoying her job, particularly the collaborative aspect of working with others. But with an eye toward transitioning to management, “I really felt an MBA would help me make the journey,” she recalls.

Living and working in Washington D.C., Michigan Ross might not seem like an obvious choice. But the Ross Weekend MBA Program was attractive because of the school’s top five ranking and strong alumni network. She could meet people and gain contacts from different geographic areas and walks of life. The every-other-weekend format made it possible for her to commute from out of state while still working full time, and she could finish her degree in two years. And while some other schools suggested she might be a bit young to pursue an MBA, “Ross really took time to understand the vision I had and the work I had done,” she says.

Some highlights of Priyanka’s Ross experience:

• Enhanced confidence gained from learning to communicate with a diverse set of classmates. “The experience was very profound for me,” she says.
• Broader horizons, with top professors discussing important issues that face the world. “It got me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become a better person,” Priyanka says. “It was a holistic package that didn’t just focus on the business side of things. There was a human factor.”
• The power of the Michigan Ross alumni network. She’s seen it when she reaches out to a fellow Michigan alum through the Washington, D.C., alumni club, where she reports “I’ve never gotten a ‘no.’” And now she’s able to respond when others reach out to her, and she’s giving back by attending recruitment events.
• Her MAP course, working with a team to solve a real-world business issue. “I think that really helped me understand what happens at a CEO level,” she says.

Looking back at her Ross education, she notes that no business school will change your life overnight. “It’s about how you leverage it to your advantage,” she says. “If you’re really invested in a state-of-the-art school with a cohort that comes from different walks of life, it’s a great school to be in. In the long run it’s a good investment.”