Karyn Anne Housh, Indiana Kelley MBA Class of 2027
Age: 30’s
Hometown: Santa Cruz, Trinidad & Tobago
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Academia (STEM Researcher & Faculty), Thermo Fisher Scientific (Technical Training Specialist & Diversity & Inclusion Lead), American Association of Colleges & Universities- STEM Division (non-profit) and I served as a Project Director.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
The timing of this MBA is intentional and deeply strategic. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a passion for helping individuals and teams thrive—whether by designing human-centered learning tools, mentoring and coaching emerging and senior leaders, cultivating inclusive workplace cultures, or addressing complex organizational challenges. These experiences have been both rewarding and formative, shaping my belief that when people flourish, organizations do too.
While this has been fulfilling, I now feel called to broaden my impact. I want to move from influencing change at the program or departmental level to shaping strategy and culture at the organizational level. To do so effectively, I recognize the importance of strengthening my business acumen in finance, strategy, human capital, and organizational leadership. My Ph.D. and professional background have given me a strong foundation in research, learning, project management, and people development, but the MBA provides the critical bridge between these strengths and the executive leadership roles I aspire to achieve.
At this stage in my journey, I am ready to take on leadership opportunities where I can bring together people-centered leadership and strategic decision-making. This degree would equip me with not only the tools and perspectives to accelerate this transition, but also with the network and experiential learning opportunities to help me effectively implement change where both people and organizations can thrive.
Why did you choose Indiana Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Having built my career around developing people, shaping culture, and leading organizational change, I was drawn to Kelley’s strong emphasis on experiential learning and leadership coaching, which allows me to apply classroom insights to real-world challenges so that I can practice as I learn. Another key feature for me would be Kelley’s personalized career support and strong track record in leadership development, as I am intentionally preparing to transition into senior-level roles where both strategic acumen and people-centered leadership are critical.
Equally important was the Kelley community. I wanted an MBA experience where collaboration, mentorship, a rich diversity of perspectives and backgrounds, and genuine connection were central to the MBA experience. The opportunity to learn alongside peers from diverse industries and backgrounds, while also contributing my own expertise, made Kelley the ideal environment for me. Ultimately, I chose Kelley because it is the place where I can sharpen my business skills, expand my leadership impact, and join a community that values growth, inclusion, and meaningful contribution.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
A unique contribution that I bring to the Class of 2027 is the perspective I bring from the intersection of deep research (qualitative and quantitative analyses), organizational development, and people-centered leadership. My academic and professional journey has trained me to approach challenges through a systems lens—understanding how people, processes, and cultures interact in ways that drive or hinder organizational success. This allows me to analyse problems holistically and propose solutions that balance strategy with human impact.
What also sets me apart is my cultural background. Growing up in the richly diverse islands of Trinidad and Tobago instilled in me an appreciation for inclusion, resilience, and the power of community, celebrating all cultures and festivals, deeply woven into our fabric. These values are embedded in how I lead, collaborate, and mentor others. At Kelley, I will contribute not only by sharing insights from my career, but also by fostering collaboration across differences and helping to create an environment where diverse perspectives thrive.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
One fun fact that I am proud to share is that for several years I served as a youth UN ambassador for my country and it is those experiences – visits to Washington D.C., debating at the UN headquarters, and engaging with senior global leaders and dignitaries, that influenced my aspirations. Those interactions not only gave me a global perspective, but also sparked my passion for leadership and cross-cultural collaboration. The lessons I carried from bonding with fellow emerging leaders from around the world continue to shape my drive to enhance learning, resolve conflict, and develop human-centered environments where diverse voices can influence meaningful change.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I spent quite a lot of time speaking to current and past students of the program, as well as key faculty and program leaders to gain first-hand insight. I also dedicated significant time doing my own research of Kelley – the people, the program, the experience, and its overall performance within recent time. I would highly recommend this to anyone embarking on this journey. You are committing two years of your life, and as such, it is necessary to ensure that the people, culture, program and school are a great fit for you. I would definitely repeat this process as it was such a pleasure getting to know everyone at Kelley.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would probably wrap up my job and move earlier than I did to ensure a smoother transition.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I think most people would agree with this, but the most difficult part was the waiting. I wish I did not have to wait for admission results and financial aid as long as I did, but it was on par with all other schools. I kept busy with my job which helped serve as a distraction from counting down the days until the admission announcement.
What is your initial impression of the Indiana Kelley students/culture/community?
The culture and people at Kelley are what makes Kelley great from staff and coaches, to faculty, past and current students, Kelley welcomes you and seeks to help you achieve your dreams. I attended a few pre-MBA conferences over the summer and several persons who got accepted to Kelley but chose another institution, came up to me to state that they wish they had stayed. They each explained in their own ways, that the people and culture at Kelley, made them feel accepted and that they did not feel pressured to pretend to be anyone but who they were. To all of you reading this, know that Kelley accepts you as you are, and we grow and enrich each other’s lives together.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined the Life Sciences Plus Academy (due to my background in biochemistry and biotech, and my lifelong love of STEM and healthcare), the Consulting Academy (to develop expertise in structured approaches to problem solving and strategy), the Marketing Club (due to my deep love and interest in the field), Food and Wine Club (because I love to cook and drink wine), and the African, Asian, and Latino Clubs (due to my diverse heritage).
What is one thing you have learned about Indiana Kelley that has surprised you?
I always had the impression that that an MBA program was highly competitive amongst peers, however at Kelley, teammates, classmates, second year students, alumni, faculty and staff, are all supporting you to help you succeed. They willingly give of their time to advise, coach, tutor, case, etc., or direct you to someone who may be better able to do so. This has truly been a pleasant surprise and it holds true to the Kelley brand and the culture that they are known for.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited for GLOBASE. Here we get to work with an international business and develop a solution for a problem the company may be facing. A significant portion of the Spring semester will be dedicated to developing this real-life case, and during Spring break we travel to the actual business and interact directly with the leaders and various stakeholders as we adjust and finalize our recommendations and ultimately present our strategies. I do believe this will be a life-changing experience and I am certainly looking forward to it.
