2024 Best & Brightest Business Major: Sai Konkala
Sai Konkala 24MBA
Emory University
Goizueta Business School
“I blend creativity and business acumen to foster an equitable future, with business for good.”
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Fun fact: I love recreating delicious dishes from fusion restaurants at home. Currently, I’m working on perfecting a peach, prosciutto, and miso-based pizza from a local Atlanta restaurant. Food is my passion, and I believe it brings people together just like storytelling does.
Undergraduate School and Degree: New York University Tisch School of the Arts, B.F.A. Film & Television
Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? CNN International, Producer 1
Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Deloitte, Atlanta
Where will you be working after graduation? Deloitte, Atlanta
Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:
- Recipient of the John R. Moore Scholarship Endowment
- Recipient of the Douglas G. Matthews Scholarship
- Goizueta Business & Society Institute – Social Impact Fellow
- Delta Leadership Coaching Fellow
- VP of Firm Insights – Goizueta Consulting Association
- VP – Goizueta Energy and Clean Tech Association
- Dean’s List (3)
- Teaching Assistant – Managerial Accounting
- ClimateCAP 2024 Emory Delegation Member
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Our team, “The Decarbonauts,” secured a first-place victory at the Rice University Case Competition and upheld our school’s tradition. Tasked with decarbonizing challenging industries like iron and steel production, chemical manufacturing, and oil and gas, we devised a groundbreaking solution: replacing fuel inputs with hydrogen. Through exhaustive research and collaboration, we developed a comprehensive investment pitch for Hycamite, a Finnish-based technology innovator. Despite facing tough questions during our presentation, we remained confident and cohesive, ultimately impressing the judges and securing the top spot. This achievement was the culmination of weeks of hard work, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and expertise, and exemplifying our commitment to a more sustainable and equitable future. I am immensely proud to have represented Goizueta Business School and to have contributed to our team’s success in this prestigious competition.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? As a Live Producer on February 24, 2022, during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I played a pivotal role in orchestrating CNN International’s breaking news coverage. With just three minutes in the break, I coordinated six reporters, six producers, and six camera teams spanning six different cities, bringing them together seamlessly to cover the unfolding events. Through rapid communication and effective teamwork with the Atlanta team and colleagues around the globe, CNN International was among the first to air the footage and break the news. Our swift and comprehensive coverage earned numerous accolades, including a News Emmy and a prestigious DuPont-Columbia Award, which the team shares.
Why did you choose this business school? I chose Goizueta Business School due to its strong emphasis on social impact, evident across various initiatives such as the Business & Society Institute, Start: ME Accelerator, John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition (JLCC), the Nonprofit Club, fireside chats, and academic curriculum. Goizueta’s commitment to meaningful engagement and purposeful action not only shapes its academic endeavors, but also underscores its dedication to fostering positive change both on campus and within the broader community.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor is Suhas Sridharan. Professor Sridharan served as our core accounting instructor, guiding us through an “up-to-speed-course” in accounting within a tight timeframe. Thanks to her expertise, I gained a deep appreciation for the wealth of insights contained within a company’s 10K filing. Additionally, Professor Sridharan leads a Corporate Political Strategy class, where we delve into analyzing the “nonmarket” environment, examining how government policies impact business and vice versa, both descriptively and prescriptively. Her instruction illuminated the intricate interplay between business and government, particularly concerning issues of access, equity, infrastructure, legislation, patents, and more.
Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? When reflecting on my MBA experience, one thing I would do differently is take a wider variety of elective courses, stepping outside of my comfort zone. While I did challenge myself in one way by exploring more economics-related courses to strengthen my understanding of both macro and micro concepts, I now realize that I could have further diversified my skill set by delving into areas such as finance and operations. Despite focusing primarily on strategy, social impact, accounting, and leadership classes, I recognize the value of expanding my knowledge across a broader spectrum of disciplines within business. While gaining a bird’s-eye view of business and its societal impact was enriching, understanding the intricacies of day-to-day operations would have been invaluable. I did not delve deep into finance and operations, and these areas hold the key to both understanding financial management and navigating the complexities of business operations with practical skills.
What is the biggest myth about your school? One of the biggest misconceptions I held about Goizueta was its perceived competitiveness. Anticipating a cutthroat environment due to its smaller class size, I initially believed that getting roles in the Southeast would be an uphill battle, with students vying against each other to stand out. However, my experience at Goizueta proved this myth wrong. Instead, I discovered a remarkably collaborative community where competition took a back seat to camaraderie. Throughout the recruiting process, I never felt pitted against my peers; rather, there was an overwhelming sense of support and mutual assistance. Students readily offered guidance, shared resources, and provided invaluable feedback, fostering an environment conducive to collective growth. In the classroom, this spirit of collaboration extended to the exchange of notes, collaborative problem-solving, and post-class discussions, enhancing our learning experience. Beyond academic pursuits, the Goizueta community thrived on social interaction, with students frequently gathering in shared spaces like Coca-Cola Commons, bonding over shared interests, and collaborating on various club activities. There is very much an attitude of “lift as you climb” here at Goizueta that I truly value.
What surprised you the most about business school? I was quite surprised that the workload and time commitment were higher than expected. For the classes, each could vary based on content, but I picked classes that were heavier reading, research, and group assignment-based. This meant a lot of time outside of the classroom to catch up and move the needle forward. As for time commitments, well, let’s just say I went all in on a bunch of stuff. Juggling two VP roles, diving into my own side projects, participating in fellowships, hitting up social gatherings, and making sure to prioritize my well-being—it often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week. I’ve been trying to get better at saying “no,” but honestly, I’d rather seize every opportunity and look back knowing I squeezed every drop out of my MBA journey than wonder if I missed out by playing it safe.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? While every classmate brings something unique to the Goizueta experience, one individual consistently inspires me through his intellect, character, and genuine friendship: Eike Hoffmann. Eike’s boundless curiosity extends across diverse topics, making him a fascinating conversation partner and a constant source of new perspectives. But beyond his knowledge, it’s his ability to listen deeply and care genuinely that truly sets him apart.
His spirit of adventure is contagious. Thanks to his encouragement and connections, I embarked on an unforgettable trip to Honduras, where we learned more about the specialty coffee value chain, explored ancient Mayan ruins, and created memories that will last a lifetime. He challenges me to see the world with a calmer, more adventurous lens, reminding me to take a step back and not sweat the small stuff.
In the crucible of the core semester, as a core team member, Eike’s presence made navigating the demands not only manageable but even enjoyable. His unwavering support and insightful counsel were invaluable (especially as I tend to make decisions quickly), and my Goizueta experience would be undeniably incomplete without him.
Perhaps most importantly, Eike is a true friend. He celebrates my successes, offers a shoulder to lean on during challenges, and consistently pushes me to reach my full potential. It was on his recommendation that I applied for the Social Impact Fellow program, a transformative experience that wouldn’t have been possible without his support.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1. Work in an upper management strategy role at a media and entertainment company and be able to be a bridge between the creative teams and business teams.
2. Open up my own entrepreneurial venture! I’m flip-flopping between a Plant+Coffee shop and a sustainable fashion brand (why not both?)
Interested in exploring Full-Time MBA opportunities? Learn more about Goizueta’s Full-Time MBA program.
