Meet the Full-Time MBA class of 2024-25

Christa Schweizer

Nationality: Bermudian and German
Education:  BA Political Science, MA Law
Most recent employer and job role: Butterfield Bank, Vice President, Legal Counsel

What do you hope to achieve on the Full-Time MBA? 

I am pursuing the Full-Time MBA to acquire new technical and leadership skills and broaden my professional and personal network. Following a 10+ year career in corporate law, I wanted the challenge of expanding my knowledge on business-critical topics and strengthening my analytical, decision-making and management skills. Post-MBA, I intend to leverage these new and enhanced experiences to transition into a role within the ESG strategy and sustainability space. 

How do you envision reaching these goals? 

Full-Time MBA students are provided with a diverse range of elective modules and concentrations, enabling them to tailor their studies to their academic interests and career goals. I will pursue the ‘ESG and Stakeholder Impact’ concentration to deepen my understanding of ESG and sustainability, directly aligning with my career aspirations. 

Additionally, there are sustainability-focused extracurricular opportunities, such as the ‘Energy and Sustainability Club’ and initiatives at the Grantham Institute, offering valuable experiences to support my career development. 

Are there specific projects or initiatives you’re eager to tackle with your classmates? 

The Strategic Consulting Project is an exciting opportunity for my group this spring. As I pursue a strategy-focused career post-MBA, I look forward to honing my problem-solving skills by tackling real business issues for an actual client. 

This experience will expose us to current commercial challenges and allow us to collaboratively develop strategic solutions, leveraging our collective skills to benefit a real client in need. 

David Driskell

Nationality: USA
Undergraduate education:  Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting & Marketing
Most recent employer and job title: FinQuery, Senior Product Owner

Why did you choose to study a Full-Time MBA? 

My curiosity and desire to learn led me to apply for the Full-Time MBA programme at Imperial College Business School. While my professional and academic development in the United States has served me well, I seek to broaden my horizons through postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. 

After my MBA, I aim to secure a role in London driving product development for SaaS products that positively impact people's lives. Additionally, I plan to embark on my entrepreneurial journey with the support of the Imperial Enterprise Lab and my network from Imperial. 

What projects are you looking forward to tackling on the programme? 

I’m particularly excited about the Imperial Innovation Challenge and the Entrepreneurship Journey. These projects allow students to harness their creativity and business intuition by identifying a problem, developing a solution, and marketing it to a viable customer segment.  

After creating a business plan, we can pitch it to a panel of judges and investors. These experiences foster essential skills for success in today’s business world, including collaboration, public speaking, strategising, time management and marketing. Hearing alumni rave about these opportunities has only heightened my enthusiasm! 

What global experiences are you looking forward to the most, and why? 

I eagerly anticipate the Global Experience Week, a highlight of the Full-Time MBA programme. Each student travels to a country that offers unique insights into life, culture and business. This experience provides essential international exposure to unconventional economic systems. 

Previous cohorts visited Nairobi, Kenya, known for its early adoption of contactless payment, allowing us to understand the factors behind significant business decisions affecting local economies. I look forward to challenging conventional business methods and learning from this enriching experience. 

Arshween Kaur

Nationality: Indian
Undergraduate education:  Bachelor of Commerce
Most recent employer and job title: Willis Towers Watson, Associate, Retirement Consulting

"From day one, it’s clear that Imperial creates a unique ecosystem where innovation meets technological advancement."

How do you intend to achieve your career goals through the Full-Time MBA? 

Imperial offers the ideal environment to achieve my goals, with a world-class curriculum, renowned faculty, and a global perspective. I’m particularly eager to dive into courses like Sustainable Finance & Investments, The Fintech Revolution, and Managing Negotiations, all directly aligned with my career in financial services consulting. 

What excites me most is the chance to learn alongside driven individuals from diverse backgrounds, industries, and cultures. This rich mix will enhance my leadership skills and make me a more effective problem-solver in multicultural settings. With Imperial's global exposure and cutting-edge courses, I’m confident I’m on the right path to achieving my professional ambitions. 

How have you found the collaboration between business and technology at Imperial, and in the classroom? 

The collaboration between business and technology at Imperial has been exceptional. During our induction, we participated in a Virtual Reality (VR) pilot study on "Values Day," which was an eye-opening experience, showing how concepts like ethics and microaggressions can be explored through VR, making learning engaging and memorable. 

I look forward to diving deeper into this blend of business and technology through electives like The Fintech Revolution and AI Ventures. This combination, along with Imperial's forward-thinking approach, promises an exciting journey ahead. 

Bogosi Shashane

Nationality: Motswana
Education:  BSc Actuarial Science, MSc Statistics (Applied Statistics)
Most recent employer and job title: Staysure Group, Pricing Manager 

What is your professional background and what industries do you have experience in? 

My professional background is within general insurance, focusing primarily on car and home products. In my capacity as a technical pricing specialist, the role typically involves statistical and financial modelling of policyholder data to provide sufficient coverage for customers whilst improving business profitability. Aside from the analytical work, there entails a great deal of stakeholder management.  

More recently, I have occupied the position of an consultant in an EdTech company, building upon my strategic thinking and client engagement skills whilst aligning with my passion for education. 

What is your motivation for studying a Full-Time MBA? 

My justifications for pursuing an MBA are two-fold, specifically to refine my leadership capabilities in an organisational setting and to pivot my career into management consulting.  

In particular, my desire is to leverage my existing technical skills across the offerings of this programme, combining them with the core and elective modules to inspire further professional growth in a new environment. 

How will the Full-Time MBA help you achieve your career goals? 

My approach will be to network and promote knowledge sharing among my peers and, in parallel, making the most out of sessions with my dedicated Careers Consultant, which will allow me to better position myself for my targeted industry.  

Furthermore, there exists a wide array of opportunities to attend employer events and career focused societies through the Business School, all of which I plan to exploit in attaining my objectives. 

Samantha Murphy

Nationality: Australian
Undergraduate education: BA double major in Human Rights & Film and Television
Most recent employer and job title: PAN Group, Head of Strategy & Operations

What’s been the story of your career so far and what industries have you explored along the way? 

For the last 6 years I have worked at PAN Group, an empowerment investment company that invests in both early-stage and growth businesses with ambitious purposes looking to make a difference. My most recent role was as Head of Strategy & Operations, where I worked with a portfolio of over 20 businesses to develop strategic business plans and with management teams to operationalise these strategies within the business. I worked with businesses across a wide range of industries including biotech, mental health, aged care, artificial intelligence, deep tech and agriculture.  

What personal growth do you seek during your Full-Time MBA experience? 

The Full-Time MBA programme will be a significant opportunity for personal growth. Moving overseas and engaging with a new community will enhance my ability to connect with others, boost my confidence, and challenge my self-belief as I step outside my comfort zone. 

Additionally, the diverse backgrounds of my cohort will enrich my experience, allowing me to learn from their international perspectives and understand how their experiences shape their approaches to business challenges. 

Riccardo Bassiri

Nationality: Scottish
Most recent employer and job role: Stanford University, Deputy Director, Center for Coatings Research; Senior Research Scientist, Applied Physics 

How have you found the collaboration of business and technology at Imperial and within the classroom? 

The collaboration between business and technology at Imperial was a key reason I applied, and it has fully lived up to expectations. There’s a strong integration of science and business, particularly in areas like healthtech, deep tech, and AI, where the cross-disciplinary approach is very evident. For example, initiatives such as Imperial X are exciting, bringing together experts from various fields to tackle complex challenges with AI.  

I’ve been excited to get involved with the Enterprise Lab, which has been a fantastic resource for connecting with fellow entrepreneurs through its various events and programmes. The entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly at Scale Space in White City, offers a dynamic environment where academic research and startups thrive side by side. The access to cutting-edge technology, industry leaders, and a collaborative culture has been inspiring. 

What hobbies or interests do you have outside of the classroom? 

Outside of my professional and academic life, I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and have been exploring the startup community through events at Imperial’s Enterprise Lab. I’ve joined the IB Careers Entrepreneurship Club, where I’m looking forward to attending events and connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs. 

I love classical music and play piano to unwind. London's world-class concert and theatre scene excites me, along with its diverse cafes, food markets and restaurants—I’m passionate about exploring it all. 

What are you hoping to achieve on the Full-Time MBA? 

The MBA equips me with business skills to complement my technical background and pursue leadership roles, especially in AI and deep tech. I chose Imperial for its London location, aligning with my goal to contribute to the UK technology economy. 

I chose the Full-Time MBA to transition from research into entrepreneurship, particularly in tech and innovation. After more than a decade of leading research projects, I wanted to shift toward building something impactful with a focus on growth and innovation. My ultimate goal is to contribute to a high-growth, mission-driven company, whether that means launching my own startup or joining an organisation with a strong commitment to using technology to make a positive impact on society. 

Arathi Nair

Nationality: Indian
Education:  B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering
Most recent employer and job title: Goldman Sachs, Vice President 

"The Full-Time MBA is the next logical step, allowing me to blend my technical expertise with strategic thinking, leadership, and a global perspective."

What inspired you to pursue Imperial’s Full-Time MBA? 

As a Potterhead, I love the quote: "it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." My decision to pursue a Full-Time MBA stemmed from realising that, while fulfilling, my software development journey was incomplete.  

My long-term goals focus on leadership, inclusivity, sustainability, and global engagement. The Imperial Full-Time MBA will empower me to achieve these goals and make a meaningful impact beyond my current domain. 

What do you hope to achieve on the Full-Time MBA? 

During my Full-Time MBA, I aim to enhance my ability to make confident decisions in ambiguous situations. While my technical background has focused on analytical decision-making, transitioning to strategic roles requires a different skill set. I hope to become more comfortable with uncertainty, make quicker decisions in unclear situations, and trust my instincts. The programme offers ample opportunities—such as competitions and tackling real-world business problems—to test and develop these skills, and I’m excited to embrace the challenge. 

George Dear

Nationality: British
Education:  MEng in Civil Engineering
Most recent employer and job title: Balfour Beatty, Assistant Project Manager

How do you think the Full-Time MBA will contribute to your personal growth? 

I am hoping to develop my business acumen and global business awareness to compliment the leadership and project management skills that I have developed during my career in Construction Project Management. 

I am also looking to make the most of the excellent Careers department at Imperial, as well as the Business School students, to grow my professional network. 

What projects are you excited to work on with your classmates during the programme? 

I’m most excited about studying the LEADS module with the cohort throughout the year. This is a very introspective leadership experience that is designed to give us the tools to become great people and leaders in the future. 

This module challenges and develops us as a group and ends with a cohort reflection and celebration! 

What global experience are you looking forward to and why? 

I am most looking forward to the Global Experience Week next summer. We have the opportunity to visit one of three brilliant destinations to immerse ourselves in the culture and understand the challenges that businesses and people face in these cities. 

I am personally hoping to visit either Nairobi or Sao Paolo during the Global Experience Week, both of these destinations have distinctive problems that I am excited to explore with the rest of the Full-Time MBA cohort.