Nida Nayyer, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2027
Age: 32
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Delhi, Dental Surgery
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Attending Doctor and Adjunct Faculty, Department of Dental Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (East India’s largest public hospital), ~3 years; Strategy and Growth Intern, Dentalkart (India’s largest dental devices e-commerce platform), ~ 3 months; AVP, Strategy and Care Delivery, a16i Health (Rebranded as Tulu Health)- Post-surgical health-tech start-up,~ 1 year
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My motivations for attending business school were two-fold. First, after seven-plus years in public hospitals, including three years in Odisha, one of India’s least privileged states, the inadequacy of human skill in delivering care in the absence of appropriate healthcare products (medical devices or drugs) appalled me. Witnessing that, I concluded that this was the best time to leverage my momentum and let my on-the-ground experiences inform the strategy of health product companies, helping them bridge their innovations with customer needs. Second, as I moved into senior roles and led large-scale, high-impact health initiatives for tens of thousands of patients and providers, I became increasingly aware of how formal business/management training could empower me to drive even broader change. Piecing these two thoughts together, there was no better place for me to be over the next two years than in a business school.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Certainly, I was determined to take full advantage of the Center for Business of Health at UNC Kenan-Flagler and University resources outside the business school, and the Interprofessional Education and Practice Program (IPEP), which brings together students from biomedical engineering, dentistry, pharmacy, and medicine for interdisciplinary learning. On top of that, the ties that school has to the industry hub right next door in Raleigh, Charlotte and Atlanta open your gates to valuable connections. The ability to tap into a 45K alumni network from the nation’s oldest public university is enviable.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
Because I have worked in diverse socio-economic regions, I bring a firsthand perspective on the real needs and challenges faced by customers. I’ve noticed how passionate my classmates are about healthcare issues, and my experiences enable me to bridge the knowledge gap, offering insights that ground strategic conversations in lived realities. Another important aspect of my contribution is humanizing the end customer. Too often, customers are reduced to abstract metrics or “ticket sizes” in boardroom discussions; stemming from my interactions with 12K+ patients, my mission is to help my supremely competent peers step into the shoes of those we serve and reshape the business narrative where it matters most.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am an ambidextrous writer.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am most interested in driving business strategy for healthcare product firms, be it for pharmaceutical or medical/dental devices.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Speaking to people from different schools was my favorite part of the process. It was heartening to see students and alumni respond warmly to cold reach-outs. Such acts inspire you pay the assistance forward.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would apply in Round 1. For international students especially, submitting an early application can significantly impact both the likelihood of admission and scholarship size.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
There were instances when I wished for company on my transition journey from clinical practice to business. The process certainly demanded courage. The support of my family, close friends and cold-reach-out responders along with a dash of blind faith ended up as ingredients of the recipe for my successful application.
What is your initial impression of the Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
Everyone is highly collaborative- from professors and students to program staff.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Healthcare Club, Marketing Club, Consulting Club and Carolina Women in Business. Clubs are a “one-stop shop”’ resource to build essential skills for recruitment and personal development. The multiple events the clubs host all throughout the year connect us to the industry, UNC alumni as well as other clubs. Beyond my first year, I would love to pay the communities back.
What is one thing you have learned about Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
One thing that has surprised me about UNC Kenan-Flagler is the diversity of its faculty. In my first week of classes, I appreciated seeing four different professors representing four different countries of origin. So, it is not only a global student community; the business school faculty share that quality. I certainly felt a sense of comfort in knowing that the professors understand the professional and cultural backgrounds students come from, and that they are more likely to incorporate these perspectives in their teaching styles. This results in a remarkable inclusive learning environment.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am looking forward to the STAR (Student Teams Achieving Results) program. It’s an experiential program where we get to work with diverse team members and manage corporate partners while working on a real-world consulting project.
