In this episode of The Intersection Podcast, host and second-year Full-time MBA student Analisa Wade sits with Annette Knell, a second-year Full-time MBA student, and Alexia Martin, senior academic program manager, to discuss the MBA CHARGE Leadership Development Program at the Scheller College of Business.   

Knell shares her journey with CHARGE, highlighting how the program has boosted her self-awareness and enabled her to adopt new leadership styles that have benefitted her as the president of the Women in Business club (WIB) and as an intern at Delta Air Lines.Martin provides a comprehensive overview of the CHARGE program, detailing its evolution and the enhancements made over time. She shares inspiring success stories from current students who have thrived under the newly renovated program.  

Listen to the episode as Knell and Martin discuss some of their favorite leadership development events at Scheller and provide advice on building a strong leadership development plan to maximize the benefits of the CHARGE program as an MBA student.  

What is the MBA CHARGE Leadership Program?

Tiffany Johnson, associate professor of Organizational Behavior at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, and Michael Davis, founder of Tinycup Coffee , explore the intersection of coffee, research, and social impact in the latest episode of the Impact x The Intersection Podcast.  

Davis shares his journey from a career in design to founding Tinycup in 2023, emphasizing the importance of redefining coffee as a ritual of rest and restoration rather than just a fuel source.  

“How do we change a customer’s relationship to coffee from fuel to understanding it as a ritual of rest and restoration? That, to me, is impact in the coffee space at the stage that Tiny Cup is at right now,” he said. 

Johnson, whose research focuses on equity and wellness, discusses her work within the coffee industry, specifically the experiences of Black coffee farmers in Brazil and their challenges, including limited access to resources and the power of storytelling in elevating their voices. 

They stress the significance of ethical practices and storytelling in driving positive change within the coffee industry.  

Tune in to the full episode to hear more about how Johnson and Davis are working to reshape the coffee industry and promote a more ethical, restorative, and socially impactful coffee culture. 

Transforming the Culture of Coffee

In this episode of The Intersection Podcast, host and second-year Full-time MBA student Analisa Wade sits with three first-year Full-time MBA students - Hanan Musa, Kelsey Chen, and Prem Rupawala - to discuss their first semester at the Scheller College of Business. 

The three students chat about balancing their core groups, class assignments, social activities, and the job recruiting process.  

Musa shares how she balances classwork and recruiting activities while adhering to her busy schedule. Chen highlights the importance of self-care and being okay to say “no” when you need rest. Rupawala, an international student from London, reflects on adapting to a new country and his excitement about exploring Atlanta. 

Listen to the episode as they provide valuable tips on pivoting from your career to a Full-time MBA program, the ins and outs of the international student experience at Scheller, and prioritizing personal time when transitioning back to school.

First Semester of the Georgia Tech MBA, Debriefed

Dean Anuj Mehrotra discusses his first year leading the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. Dean Mehrotra highlights key achievements and Scheller's progress, while emphasizing the school's collaborative spirit and his enthusiasm for the future.

Dean Anuj Mehrotra Celebrates His One-Year Anniversary at the Scheller College of Business

In this episode of The Intersection Podcast, host and second-year Full-time MBA student Analisa Wade sits down with three members of Scheller’s Full-time MBA Social Committee: Palmer Mattice, Ankit Sharma, and Isabella Vear. Together, they discuss the Social Committee and how it adds a sense of community to the program.  

Mattice shares his experiences of joining the Social Committee as a first-year representative. He highlights how his involvement has helped him meet several second-year students and bond with his cohort quickly. His insights provide a fresh perspective on the benefits of early engagement in social activities. 

Sharma talks about his initial reluctance to join the Social Committee. He shares how his involvement turned into a rewarding experience, offering a unique viewpoint on overcoming hesitations and embracing new opportunities.  

Vear, who is passionate about event planning, discusses her motivation to join the committee. She was inspired to ensure a diverse range of activities were planned. Her dedication to creating varied experiences has made a noticeable impact on the social scene at Scheller. 

Throughout the episode, all three guests share their favorite social events so far and give listeners a sneak peek into some exciting plans for upcoming events. Their stories paint a vivid picture of social life at Scheller, highlighting the importance of community and connection. 

Exploring the Social Side of the Scheller MBA Experience

In this episode of The Intersection Podcast, we’re honoring Black History Month. Host and second-year Full-time MBA student Analisa Wade talks with Georgia Tech MBA alumni Torri Smith, Executive MBA ‘24, and Jamaal Broome, Evening MBA ‘11, about their education journey transitioning from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to Scheller for their MBAs. 

Smith received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and is an associate director at Collins Aerospace. Broome earned his undergraduate degree from Hampton University and is the managing director at AKARA Consulting, a media and sports entertainment consulting firm. 

During the episode, they discuss how attending an HBCU laid a crucial foundation for their growth. Broome emphasizes the rich historical context he was exposed to at his HBCU, providing him with knowledge and perspectives often overlooked in traditional educational settings.  

They also discuss their time at Scheller, detailing how the MBA program has enhanced their leadership skills and career prospects and highlighting the extensive resources and networking opportunities provided by Georgia Tech. The conversation also touches on how they've made an impact at Scheller and how the MBA has helped them become better leaders. 

A key theme of the discussion is how Smith and Broome have leveraged their dual experiences - from HBCUs and Scheller - to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to their communities and workplaces. They emphasize the importance of "paying it forward" by utilizing their newly acquired resources and knowledge to benefit their broader communities.  

This episode offers valuable insights for HBCU graduates considering an MBA, current business students, and professionals interested in the intersection of diverse educational experiences and business leadership. 

Jamaal Broome and Torri Smith Journey From HBCUs to Georgia Tech

In this episode of Impact x The Intersection Podcast, learn about the Institute for Leadership and Social Impact’s mission to develop servant leaders. Tune in for the discussion on the Institute’s origins, leadership philosophy, and key programs like the Social Impact Fellowship and Leadership for Social Good Study Abroad—both designed to equip students with skills for driving social change.

How the Institute for Leadership and Social Impact Cultivates Servant Leaders

In this episode of The Intersection Podcast, host and second-year Full-time MBA student Analisa Wade chats with Jonathan Giuliano, executive director of Technology Innovation: Generating Economic Results (TI:GER); Paul Joseph, principal at the Georgia Tech Office of Commercialization; and Pascaline Ezouah, an Evening MBA student who participated in both TI:GER and the Georgia Tech Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) programs. 

Together, they delve into the two innovative programs at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business that are shaping the future of technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. 

The discussion begins with Giuliano providing an overview of the TI:GER program, which pairs Ph.D. and MBA students together to develop technology-based businesses over two semesters. Joseph then introduces the OTL Assistant Program, which he founded recently, after his own experience participating in TI:GER as an MBA student at Scheller.  

The OTL Assistant Program matches MBA students with master's students with specific technology expertise to conduct customer discovery for Georgia Tech innovations. Ezouah shares her firsthand experience participating in both programs, highlighting how they complement each other and enhanced her MBA journey. The program provides students with in-depth knowledge on how to start a business and commercialize a technology. 

The episode also includes the unveiling of an exciting new partnership between Giuliano and Joseph. They announce the launch of a new Technology Commercialization MBA Practicum set to begin in Summer and Fall 2025. This course aims to bridge the gap between the TI:GER and OTL programs, offering students a more comprehensive understanding of the technology commercialization process.  

Listen to the episode to learn more about technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and how to turn an innovative idea into a business.

Scheller MBAs Learn Technology Commercialization Through TI:GER and Office of Technology Licensing

In this episode of Impact x The Intersection Podcast, host Dori Pap speaks with John Mulrow, director of the Degrowth Institute, and Joe Bozeman, assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech, about the topic of degrowth and how it’s implemented into our systems.

Has the Economy Outgrown the Planet?

In this episode of Impact x The Intersection Podcast, host and Full-time MBA student Analisa Wade sits down with Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation, for a compelling discussion about public policy, community engagement, and what drives the city of Atlanta. 

Rohit Malhotra was raised in the Atlanta area by immigrant parents and has a deep-rooted connection to the city and a passion for equity. Ten years ago, he founded the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI), a policy organization dedicated to ensuring that "generations aren’t fighting the same fights that previous generations had to fight." 

When the CCI was launched, Atlanta had just been named the most unequal city in the United States—a stark reality that shaped much of the organization's early work. Malhotra saw firsthand how flawed public policy can deeply impact individuals and families, particularly during times of crisis. 

“Everyone is involved in public policy, whether you like it or not,” he explains. “If you're not involved in policy, policy is definitely involved in your life. It’s just a matter of whether you have the privilege to not depend on it.” 

Malhotra emphasizes that public policy is only as effective as the people shaping it, which is why the CCI focuses on empowering both residents and community leaders to understand public policy and develop the tools to influence it. For Malhotra, it starts with asking the right questions—like, "How does Atlanta work?" 

One way to answer that question lies in understanding the city’s Neighborhood Planning Unit System (NPU), a civic engagement structure established in 1974. This system divides Atlanta into 25 planning units, each representing a unique neighborhood. It serves as a foundational framework for local governance and community voice. Malhotra continues to shed light on where power lies in Atlanta’s government structure and how everyday residents can become drivers of change. 

Tune in to the full episode to learn more about how the CCI is bridging the gap between Atlanta residents and the policies that shape their lives—and to gain a deeper understanding of how Atlanta truly works. 

How Atlanta Works

At Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business, we cultivate innovators who aren't afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and create opportunities in a complex business world. Join us as we talk with Scheller students and alumni, faculty, and other experts to gain insights into what it means to lead innovation in a tech-driven world. Topics range from personal stories and career insights to cutting-edge faculty research and current trends in tech and business.

Exploring the Social Side of the Scheller MBA Experience

Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business

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