Real Humans of NYU Stern’s MS in Business Analytics and AI Class of 2027

The NYU Stern School of Business MS in Business Analytics and AI Class of 2027 brings together seasoned professionals from across industries who are returning to the classroom with a shared goal: to understand and apply the power of data and AI to real-world business challenges. In this special edition of our Real Humans stories, we get to meet some students behind the degree.

To start, Alicia Younker shares her story of wanting to move into a more analytically driven career path after nearly a decade at Boeing. Then, Irakli Bebia, now a Vice President at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, recounts seeking to deepen his understanding of how AI is shaping finance and decision-making on a global scale.

The cohort also includes Jose Bedregal, a longtime marketing leader at T-Mobile, who is augmenting his business and creative background with technical AI expertise. Finally, Priyanka Swarna, a senior data and analytics leader at BMW of North America with more than 17 years of experience, now focuses on mastering the intersection of enterprise data, AI, and strategy.

Learn more about the degree and some new members of the program in the following pages.

Alicia Younker, NYU Stern MS, Business Analytics and AI Class of 2027

Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Seattle University, Finance
Pre-MSBAi Work Experience: Boeing, Corporate Strategy Analyst, 8 Years, Military Aerospace, Aviation & Aftermarket Services
Current Professional Role: Technical/Engineering Integrator 

Why did you make the decision to attend business school?
I’ve always loved the structure of going to school, the satisfying challenge of mastering new subjects, and being surrounded by like-minded, curious classmates. In the last couple of years of my career, I started to realize that master’s degrees really open doors in ways I didn’t fully appreciate earlier on, which inspired me to start looking more seriously and intentionally at these types of programs.

But even before I started looking at programs, I made sure I had a solid vision in mind of what I wanted to get out of it: I wanted to deepen my analytical skills while staying rooted in business, and I wanted to graduate with a degree that would open new career doors for me. After rotating around several roles that supported highly technical teams, I also realized I wanted to dig deeper into the analytical and data side of business, since I didn’t have that background. With all of this in mind and after researching various options, the NYU Stern Master’s in Business Analytics and AI Program felt like a no-brainer. 

Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Beyond its reputation, I was particularly drawn to the faculty of NYU Stern; many of my professors at Stern literally wrote the textbooks that serve as the backbone of the program! The design of the program was also a big factor: a part-time, modular format that allows me to continue working full-time while still having the opportunity to build relationships with my classmates in-person throughout the program. And, it’s in the heart of New York City (a strong bonus factor for me).

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the class?
Growing up, I attended a small, Catholic high school where I played a lot of sports. I learned early on what a difference having a strong community makes on one’s success, that attitude makes or breaks a team, and attitude is a conscious choice. In everything I do – work, life, friendships, sports – I always, always, always make a conscious effort to get to know the people I’m working with and bring a positive attitude through encouragement, vulnerability, and humor. I like to think that I helped to bring our class together as a team and create a community where everyone feels like they’re a part of a bigger effort, together. Every assignment, every class, every module accomplished is a team success to be celebrated.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Business and entrepreneurship run in my family: both sets of my grandparents and my parents are/were small business owners in Alaska! My mom’s dad immigrated from Italy and opened one of the first Italian restaurants in Fairbanks, Alaska. 

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
There were a few YouTube videos and blog posts from current and former MSBAi students that really helped me to grasp what I would be getting into and what to expect. I would highly recommend that to anyone starting the process of picking programs and schools: read through what courses are offered, read about the professors teaching the courses (and what they’ve written or researched), and absolutely talk to former students. 

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I underestimated how long of an adjustment it would be to return to school after working full time. It took a bit for me to regain my stamina for studying for long periods of time! If I could go back, I would have enrolled in a few “intro to coding” classes or something similar to get my mind back into the routine of studying and getting that discipline back again. That, and start chipping away at my coursework as early and often as possible – it will catch up with you!

How do you balance the demands of the program with your professional responsibilities, and what strategies have worked best for you?
Honestly, I think I’m still figuring that one out, but I’ve been really lucky to have managers and teammates at work who have been really supportive and understanding when I need to take time off to focus on studying or homework. When I first started the program, I definitely spent some time experimenting with studying at different times of the day and different places to figure out what worked best for me. That really helped me find my rhythm and build a structure and routine around my life.

This is going to sound corny, but for me, a lot of finding my balance has also been me reminding myself that I get to choose to study in my free time and on my weekends; it’s an immense sacrifice but it’s also an immense privilege to have the opportunity to learn from so many fantastic professors alongside so many of my incredible classmates. I have to give major credit to my classmates as well, as I rely heavily on our 70-person WhatsApp group chat for help when I get stuck, or sounding board for advice on which assignments to tackle and how to tackle them. 

How has the format of the program allowed you to immediately apply what you’re learning to your current role and impact your career?
One of the biggest advantages of the part-time, modular format is that I don’t have to wait until I graduate to apply what I’m learning. Every module has given me tools that I can immediately bring back to work, whether it’s vibe coding a PowerPoint macro, or using Google Cloud Storage and SQL to clean datasets, or thinking about business decisions through a more analytical lens. The program has already changed the way I approach problems at work and has helped me find a new level of confidence in the skills I have, and I know these skills will continue to compound throughout my career and as I finish the program. 

What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
I am in awe at the breadth and depth of resources NYU Stern has for their students and alumni. It was a big reason NYU was at the top of my list, but I truly didn’t realize all of the different institutes, library resources, and networking opportunities available to Stern students. That, and how humble  all of my professors have been! Like I said, a lot of the Stern professors literally wrote the book on their subject, but all of my professors have been so approachable and eager to help us all succeed. That humility has created a remarkably collaborative culture within my cohort. I’ve never felt like I’m competing with my classmates. 

Irakli Bebia, NYU Stern MS, Business Analytics and AI Class of  2027

Hometown: Tbilisi, Georgia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Ilia State University, Finance
Pre-MSBAi Work Experience: I started my career in audit and project management in Tbilisi, Georgia before moving to New York and joining Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in 2019. Over the years, I worked across finance transformation and strategic initiatives, including supporting a major finance technology modernization and completing an assignment at the bank’s headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Current Professional Role: Vice President, Finance Business Manager, Banking & Financial Services at SMBC Group.

Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Over the last few years, I realized that AI is becoming part of almost every conversation and decision in business. Working in finance made me curious to understand not just how to use these tools, but what is actually behind them and how they create impact. I felt this was the right time to step out of my routine, challenge myself, and build skills that I believe will shape the future of work.

Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose NYU Stern’s Master’s in Business Analytics and AI (MSBAi) Program because it felt global, practical, and forward-looking. I wanted to learn about AI and analytics in a place that brings together classmates from different industries, perspectives, and ways of thinking. One thing that stood out to me was the diversity of the cohort; we have classmates from more than 15 countries, which makes every discussion more interesting and reminds you that there is never just one way to solve a problem. Being in New York makes that experience even more dynamic.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the class?
I bring a combination of global perspective, leadership experience, and curiosity. My journey took me from Georgia’s public sector to finance at SMBC in New York, including an international assignment in Tokyo. I enjoy connecting ideas across industries and helping turn discussions into action. I also genuinely enjoy building community and creating opportunities for people to learn from each other. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m from the actual birthplace of wine. Georgia has been making wine for over 8,000 years, traditionally fermented and buried underground in clay vessels called “qvevri”, a method now recognized by UNESCO. So when I geek out over a glass of wine, it’s less of a hobby and more of a thousand-generation inheritance.

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
Be yourself earlier than you think you need to. It’s easy to focus on building the “perfect” profile, but what made the process meaningful for me was reflecting on my actual transition from Georgia to New York, from finance to AI, and being honest about why I wanted to take this next step in my education. Programs like Stern’s MSBAi are looking for people who bring different experiences and perspectives, not identical resumes.

–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Connecting with the program early, talking to students, attending events, and understanding the community before I wrote a single word of my application. It made my application honest instead of aspirational because I could clearly explain not just why I wanted the degree, but why I wanted to learn at NYU Stern specifically.

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would spend less time trying to make my application perfect and more time enjoying the process. Looking back, the strongest parts came from being honest and reflective, not from editing every sentence one more time.

–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Trying to fit everything I had done into the application. After years of work experience, it is tempting to tell every story and include every achievement. What helped me was realizing the application is not meant to capture everything. It is meant to show who you are and why this next step makes sense.

How do you balance the demands of the program with your professional responsibilities, and what strategies have worked best for you?
Balancing a full-time role with the program has made me more intentional with my time. I plan ahead, protect dedicated study blocks, and try to be realistic about what each week requires.NYU’s Bobst Library has become one of my favorite places to help with this balance. It is open 24/7, so depending on the day I can study with classmates or find a quiet room to focus. When I need a reset, a quick walk through Washington Square Park reminds me why NYU feels like a place where ideas come to life.

How has the format of the program allowed you to immediately apply what you’re learning to your current role and impact your career?
What I appreciate most is how practical the program feels. Professor Foster Provost helped us understand what happens behind the scenes after we send a prompt, how AI models process information, generate responses, and where their limitations come from. It completely changed how I think about AI beyond the user experience. Another memorable experience was Professor Panos Ipeirotis adapting the class in real time to include tools like Claude Code, GitHub, and Google Cloud Storage, and having us work through real-world challenges. It made learning feel current and immediately relevant.

What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
I was surprised by how invested professors are in making sure students truly learn, and not by just completing assignments. The classes feel dynamic, current, and shaped around what is happening in the real world. That level of energy and care made the experience feel much more personal than I expected.

Jose Bedregal, NYU Stern MS, Business Analytics and AI Class of  2027

Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Washington, B.A. in Accounting, Minor in Statistics
Pre-MSBAi Work Experience: For the past 15 years, I’ve worked in digital marketing across telecommunications, retail, technology, and consulting. I’ve had the opportunity to lead marketing initiatives for companies including T-Mobile, Nordstrom, Acer, and CDK Global. Along the way, I also taught digital marketing as an adjunct professor at UW Bothell and as an instructor at General Assembly.
Current Professional Role: Senior Marketing Manager, T-Mobile (Telecommunications)

Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I’ve always been a curious person. Whether it’s learning a new technology, teaching a class, traveling somewhere new, or picking up a camera, I enjoy challenging myself. As AI started changing the way businesses operate, I wanted to understand more than just how to use the tools. I wanted to understand the technology behind them and how businesses can use AI to make better decisions.

I earned my MBA over a decade ago, and going back to school felt like the right next step. I wanted to strengthen the technical side of my skill set while continuing to grow as a marketing leader.

Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I wanted a program that balanced AI, analytics, and business. NYU Stern’s MSBAi Program checked all those boxes, but what really stood out was its reputation and faculty. You’re learning from professors who are at the top of their fields and bring real-world experience into the classroom. They don’t just teach concepts; they share how those concepts are being applied to solve today’s business challenges.

The diversity of the cohort was another huge draw. Every class brings together people from different industries, countries, and backgrounds, and hearing those different perspectives has been one of the best parts of the program. I’ve learned just as much from my classmates as I have from the coursework.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the class?
I enjoy bringing people together. Serving as one of our class representatives has been a great opportunity to help build a strong community and keep people connected.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career helping bridge the gap between business, marketing, and technology, so I enjoy sharing practical examples that connect what we’re learning in class to real business challenges. I also believe some of the best learning starts with asking good questions, and I’m never afraid to ask one.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application.
One of my biggest passions outside of work is fashion photography. It’s taken me to different parts of the world, where I’ve met incredible people, experienced different cultures, and told stories through my camera. Every trip gives me a new perspective, and I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy both photography and business. They’re both about understanding people.

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants: 
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to current students.

No website or brochure can tell you what it’s actually like to be part of a program. Those conversations gave me an honest perspective on the culture, workload, and community, and they played a big role in my decision to attend NYU Stern.

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would spend less time trying to perfect my application.

Looking back, authenticity matters far more than perfection. Admissions committees want to understand who you are, what motivates you, and why you’re pursuing the degree. Let your personality come through.

–What is one part you would have skipped if you could, and what helped you get through it?
The waiting.

Once I submitted my application, there wasn’t much left to do besides check my email. Staying busy with work, photography, travel, and spending time with family and friends helped keep everything in perspective.

How do you balance the demands of the program with your professional responsibilities, and what strategies have worked best for you?
Balancing work and school comes down to being intentional with my time. I schedule study sessions on my calendar the same way I schedule work meetings. That helps me stay consistent instead of trying to fit everything into one weekend.

I’ve also learned that it’s okay to lean on classmates. Everyone brings different strengths and experiences, and collaborating has made the experience much more enjoyable.

How has the format of the program allowed you to immediately apply what you’re learning to your current role and impact your career?
One of my favorite parts of the program is how practical it is.

It’s common for me to learn something in class over the weekend and apply it at work the following week. Whether it’s AI, analytics, or decision-making frameworks, I’ve been able to bring those ideas into conversations and projects almost immediately.

What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
The people.

I expected a challenging program and outstanding professors. What surprised me most was how collaborative everyone is. My classmates genuinely want to help each other succeed, and some of the best learning has happened outside the classroom through conversations, group projects, and getting to know people from industries completely different from my own.

That sense of community has been one of the most rewarding parts of my NYU Stern experience.

Priyanka Swarna, NYU Stern MS, Business Analytics and AI Class of  2027

Hometown: Chennai, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Anna University, Electrical and Electronics Engineering; International Business
Pre-MSBAi Work Experience: BMW of North America / Tata Consultancy Services, BI Developer through Feature Team Lead, 17+ years, Data & Analytics, Technology, Automotive
Current Professional Role: BMW of North America, Feature Team Lead, Enterprise Data, Analytics & Architecture; Automotive Technology

Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
AI is fundamentally reshaping what enterprise data leadership means, and I wanted to be inside that shift, not watching it from the outside. After 17 years of leading data transformation at BMW of North America, I know what I know well. The harder question was: what do I not yet know that will matter most in the next decade? The answer pointed directly to the intersection of AI, business strategy, and decision science. I wanted a rigorous environment that would challenge me to think differently, not just more efficiently. NYU Stern’s MSBAi Program offers exactly that, at exactly the moment the industry demands it. 

Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Three things set NYU Stern apart. First, the MSBAi curriculum is built for practitioners.It is designed for working professionals and challenges you to go deeper, not start over.

Second, New York City itself. Being embedded in one of the world’s most active technology and business ecosystems creates access and exposure that no classroom alone can replicate. Third, the faculty. The caliber of research and real-world engagement, particularly in AI and data-driven decision-making, is exceptional. Their dual commitment to pioneering research and practical execution bridges the gap between academic theory and corporate strategy in a way that is rare. Stern felt less like academia and more like stepping into the conversation among the people who are not just studying the industry but actively building it. 

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the class?
I bring 17 years of enterprise-scale implementation experience in one of the most complex, globally distributed industries in the world, working across BMW, MINI, Motorrad, and Rolls-Royce. When data governance frameworks or cloud data strategies come up in the classroom, I have lived those decisions, including the ones that did not go as planned. I have built data foundations from the ground up, navigated legacy ecosystems that resisted every modern pattern, and delivered analytics platforms that executives across four automotive brands relied on daily. Having started my career in data from day one, I have had the rare opportunity to watch the discipline evolve in real time, from the infrastructure up. What that taught me is that patterns tell stories. The ability to translate complexity into meaning, to surface what the data is actually saying and make it actionable for the people who need it most, is the skill that travels furthest. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Classical Indian dance has been a parallel discipline for most of my life. I have been a member of the International Dance Council (CID UNESCO) since 2017, represented the United States at the 51st UNESCO World Dance Congress in Athens, received a competitive Folk Arts Apprenticeship Grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts through a formal statewide panel review in 2021, and have over 50 performances across the tri-state area. The practice has called for the same rigor, discipline, and composure under pressure as any high-stakes professional environment. If anything, it has demanded more. 

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would choose the same approach again: decide what I still wanted to learn first, then find the school best positioned to deliver it. I chose the program that offered the strongest executive-level education in my field at this point in my career, applied early as a commitment to myself, and let the decision begin with an honest question about what I still needed. It would have been easy to build an application entirely around what I had already done. Instead, the most genuine part of my essay was the acknowledgment that leading through an AI-driven era demands continuous reinvention, no matter how much experience you bring. Intellectual honesty about where your edges are is not a liability. It is what made the application process feel less like a formality and more like the first step toward something real. 

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started networking earlier and with more intention. I came into the program focused on the academics, which is natural, but the relationships you build with peers, faculty, and the broader Stern community are just as much a part of the investment as the coursework. I would tell my pre-application self not to wait until enrollment to introduce yourself to the ecosystem. Research the faculty whose work intersects with yours. Connect with current students before decision day. Show up to admitted student events with real questions, not just enthusiasm. The program rewards people who come prepared with purpose, and that preparation starts well before orientation. 

–What is one part you would have skipped if you could, and what helped you get through it?
If I could skip one part, it would be the deliberation. Senior practitioners do not approach education the way fresh graduates do; knowing when to step back into a classroom is its own kind of decision, and that weight can slow the decision down considerably. I kept waiting for the right moment and there was always a reason to defer: one more project, one more milestone and planning self-capacity. What got me through it was accepting that the perfect time does not exist. It will always be a choice made for personal growth, not one handed to you by circumstance. The only non-negotiable is that the program must be grounded in where the industry is actually going, not where it has been. 

How do you balance the demands of the program with your professional responsibilities, and what strategies have worked best for you?
Ruthless prioritization and calendar discipline. I treat coursework the same way I treat a high-stakes project at work: with defined time blocks, clear deliverables, and no tolerance for drift. I have also been intentional about not fully compartmentalizing the two. It is more of an integration. The program makes me sharper at work and my professional experience makes me a more grounded student. Neither feels borrowed from the other. When both directions are flowing, the balance takes care of itself more naturally than I expected. The one thing I have not fully solved is protecting space to step away from both, but I am more deliberate about it than I used to be. 

How has the format of the program allowed you to immediately apply what you’re learning to your current role and impact your career?
Almost immediately and in both directions. Frameworks from the program, particularly around AI applications, data-driven decision modeling, and business strategy, have already shaped how I approach architecture decisions and stakeholder conversations at BMW. At the same time, the real-world problems I bring from BMW give my coursework an immediacy that purely academic study would not have. Our capstone project on global end-of-life vehicle recycling is a perfect example of how industry expertise, course content, and genuine drive can come together in one place. I am applying analytical discipline from the program to a domain I have worked inside for 17 years, and the result is richer than either direction would produce on its own. 

What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
I expected intellectual rigor, industry exposure, and the chance to learn across domains. I got all of that. What I did not anticipate was how much it would open up my own sense of possibility, professionally and personally. Routine has a way of narrowing your view of what you are already capable of. Business school interrupted that. The mindset shift has been the most significant takeaway, not a framework or a course, but a fundamentally different way of seeing what I have built and where it can go. It’s made me more motivated and has given me a totally different perspective on how I see myself.