Civic Scholars Student Profile Anajah Philogene

Why did you choose to pursue your MBA at Chicago Booth?

As a Neubauer Civic Scholar at Chicago Booth, I have the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. I can learn alongside a diverse group of students with interests and aspirations different from my own, while also being part of a vibrant community of social impact leaders who help me navigate the MBA experience. This rich tapestry of colleagues complements an already world-class curriculum taught by industry-leading professors.

What skills are you looking to develop at Booth and implement into your social impact work?

I am committed to honing my skills to create innovative programmatic solutions that tackle educational inequity and significantly enhance the life outcomes of students in Chicago and beyond. Booth will equip me with the necessary skills to develop solutions that are financially sustainable, strategically and operationally sound, and capable of garnering support from a broad and diverse coalition of stakeholders.

What are your career aspirations?

My professional experience has reinforced the belief that addressing systemic inequity and improving the lives of historically marginalized people must be led by those who have experienced that inequity firsthand. My long-term goal is to advise and support early-stage Black-led social impact initiatives. I plan to achieve this by combining my experience as a professional coach and non-profit executive with my refined business acumen to support these organizations. While the solutions and talent needed for success are abundant, the connections, specialized resources, and capital often are not. I aspire to play a role in bridging this gap.