Celebrating endings and embracing what’s ahead
Graduation marks a transition from aspiring student to accomplished leader. Here, members of the Class of 2026 share how their academic journey at Kellogg has deepened their industry expertise, expanded their professional toolkit and helped them grow as individuals.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates, and welcome to a powerful and growing network of more than 73,000 Kellogg alumni.
On the power of community
Full-Time MBA Program
Irune Andres ’26 MBA (One-Year MBA Program)
“Before coming to Kellogg, I was skeptical about the depth of the friendships I would form. I had heard others describe their MBA connections as ‘lifelong,’ but I found it hard to imagine moving from strangers to trusted friends in just one year. What I underestimated was the power of being surrounded by other highly driven peers.
“That shared ambition, especially within the tight-knit One-Year MBA cohort, created a foundation that extended beyond networking and fostered an environment where our personal and professional aspirations aligned closely. Looking back, I know that these bonds are a major part of these last 12 months that I’ll carry with me for decades to come.”
Sidney O'Neal ’26 MBA (Two-Year MBA Program)
“I expected Kellogg to strengthen my leadership skills, and it certainly did. What I didn't expect was how much it would expand my confidence in building relationships and bringing people together. Before business school, I spent six years working in a laboratory, where much of my success came from individual expertise.
“At Kellogg, I learned the power of community. Through friendships, leadership roles and shared experiences, I discovered that some of the most meaningful impact comes from creating connections and helping others thrive. The greatest growth wasn't just becoming a better leader — it was becoming a more connected and collaborative person.”
On building greater confidence
Executive MBA Program (EMBA)
Lucas de Brito ’26 MBA
“After moving from Brazil to the United States shortly before the pandemic, I spent years adapting to a new business culture while building my career. Through EMBA I hoped to build greater leadership confidence, and Kellogg accelerated this journey by helping me become more comfortable leading through ambiguity, complexity and diverse perspectives.
“The unexpected growth was more personal. Through classroom discussions and, even more importantly, honest conversations with classmates outside of class, I gained a deeper appreciation for the kind of leader I want to be. Leading with purpose and empathetic collaboration helped crystallize values that now guide how I approach both work and life. I leave Kellogg not only with new skills, but with greater clarity about how I want to lead and the impact I hope to have on others.”
Monica Perkins ’26 MBA
“Like many EMBA students, I showed up carrying a lot: a demanding career, three kids — one of whom is disabled — and an already full life. Even with a doctorate and 20 years in healthcare analytics and AI, well before large language models became boardroom buzz, Kellogg still had plenty to teach me. Professor Birju Shah’s AI course enabled me to drive immediate impact at a Fortune 50 company.
“But the bigger surprise? Falling hard for finance, marketing and the full breadth of strategy where my passion runs far deeper and wider than my career allowed. Professors like Meghan Busse don’t just teach strategy; they make you feel it. My cohort and the Women@EMBA board rockstars I served alongside pulled this chronic introvert into rooms I never would have entered. Through all of it, my sister and my fiancée made it possible. Kellogg surfaced a stronger version of me that is ready for more breadth, more boldness and more agency over what I build next.”
On rethinking what’s possible
Evening & Weekend MBA Program
Ali Orringer ’26 MBA
“The parts of myself that grew the most during Kellogg were my resilience and agility. I learned how to shift between very different modes of thinking: one moment leading product conversations at Ticketmaster and the next reflecting deeply on the personal stories and values I wanted to bring into classes like Selling Yourself and Your Ideas and Executive Presentations.
“Balancing work, school and serving as a graduate assistant stretched me in ways I did not expect, but it also showed me how much capacity I had to keep going, stay present and continue growing. I leave Kellogg more adaptable, more reflective and more grounded in who I am.”
Richard Song ’26 MBA
“When I arrived at Kellogg, I thought I understood leadership. I had spent years building and running my own business, often taking charge and making decisions quickly. From the outside, I appeared confident. But internally, I carried uncertainty.
“Over time, Kellogg has reshaped both my definition of success and my approach to leadership. Through classes, where professors openly shared failure and conversations with classmates, I began to see that there is no single path to success. I now define success as using my strengths while staying content with the path I choose, even if it is not the most conventional or glamorous. This shift allowed me to focus less on external validation and more on the work and impact I can create.”
Read next: 5 career lessons I’ve learned watching thousands of MBAs
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Kellogg School of Management or Northwestern University.