Fatou Dieng, Emory Goizueta Business School MBA Class of 2027
Age: 26
Hometown: Woonsocket, RI
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Smith College, Major: Neuroscience
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Coordinator II, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator, Healthcare, Tufts Medical Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, TMC (1 year), DFCI (3 years)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
At Smith College, I pursued a neuroscience degree and was on a pre-medical track. I always saw myself pursuing medical school and no other education opportunities. I held several leadership positions that required me to use my creative skills to lead social media marketing campaigns on Instagram, promoting brands to over 500 users, driving engagement and event participation. These experiences sparked my initial interest in marketing, though I never formally pursued coursework in the field – a decision I later realized limited my ability to explore an additional career path that aligned with my interests.
After college, I was still eager to learn about the field of medicine, so I became a clinical research coordinator at Tufts Medical Center. As a coordinator, I managed cardiology research trials, coordinating follow-ups, maintaining regulatory compliance and a registry of over 1,000 patients. Through this work, I became a 4x published author in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), ranked #2 overall academic journals in cardiology and cardiovascular medicine.
Desiring more of a challenge in a new field of medicine, I transitioned to a clinical research coordinator II role at Dana Farber, a leading cancer research center in the US. As a CRC II, I oversaw clinical trials for pediatric patients with cancer. I streamlined protocol operations, collaborated across clinical teams, and ensured both data accuracy and patient support. These experiences strengthened my communication, leadership, and organizational skills while teaching me to navigate complex, high-stakes projects. At the beginning of this year I was promoted to a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator. My work as a CRC was very meaningful and had such a strong impact on people. About three years into my role as a CRC, I self reflected on my career goals.
Taking a step back, I realized two things: 1) I wanted the opportunity to learn more about the marketing industry. I mentioned previously that I never explored the interest that I had developed in marketing in undergrad 2) that I love skincare and cosmetic products and have a strong relationship with my products as a consumer. Because I understand the value of that relationship, I would love to connect consumers to products, and I believe brand management or product marketing management would be a great role for me to do so. I’m interested in leveraging my professional skills, and my love for consumer products to position and launch products in a way that aligns with consumer needs, building those strong relationships between the product and the consumer, and driving businesses forward. I knew that an MBA would allow me to obtain this career goal.
I knew this was the right time to pursue business school. With 4 years of professional experience, I had built a strong foundation of transferable skills and felt ready to pivot my career toward a new direction. I was also eager for a change of environment after spending most of my life in New England, and the opportunity to move to a new city felt like the perfect next step for both personal and professional growth.
Why did you choose Emory Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I made the decision to attend Emory Goizueta because its rich curriculum, core values, and opportunities on campus I knew would lead to my success and growth as a student and post MBA. Academically, I thrive in small learning environments, making Goizueta a great fit for me as a student. Core courses such as marketing strategy, data & decision analytics and electives such as product and brand management will give me the analytical, creative, and leadership skills to make my aimed impact on the marketing industry post MBA. I knew I would have the opportunity to take courses with Professor Omar Rodríguez-Vilá, who was featured on the Goizueta effect where he discussed diverse marketing strategies and brand inclusivity, a core interest of mine.
There were several organizations on campus that I felt would be beneficial to my MBA journey. For example, Goizueta’s marketing association provides the opportunity for me to gain knowledge from events and from students who share similar interests. In my past experiences I embodied Goizueta’s core values. These experiences and the mindset I have developed as a result made me a great fit for the Goizueta community. Accountability and courage are part of what led me to my MBA journey, where I am pivoting from healthcare and pursuing a dream that challenges cultural standard. As an undergraduate, and a working professional I have brought diversity of thought and sparked positive change to institutions through teamwork. My experience doing so has taught me how to have uncomfortable conversations to foster inclusivity for all, a mindset that I felt I could bring to Goizueta.
Lastly, I believe that innovation is an essential component to growth. By attending Emory Goizueta, I knew I could challenge myself as a leader. Myself and two other students will be bringing a new club to campus focusing on luxury, retail and beauty.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I have a very unique background within the healthcare industry. When people think of healthcare their first thought may be doctors, nurses and other practitioners that may work more directly with patients. As a CRC my role combined both patient-facing responsibilities and several behind the scenes operational tasks that are necessary for such complex clinical trials. This alone brings a very unique perspective to the classroom because these experiences taught me how to lead with empathy while executing projects under pressure.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have a strong interest in Japanese domestic market sports cars produced in the late 80s-90s. Most people are surprised to hear this as this is typically a male interest. One of my favorite JDM sports cars is the Nissan GTR, r32 and r34 models. I grew up in a predominantly male household and naturally a lot of their interests became my interests. I played many racing games such as midnight club, need for speed and forza which contributed to this interest that I developed at an early age.
Post-MBA career interests:
Brand Management, Product Marketing Management
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Networking with current students and utilizing the admissions team to gain as much information about the program as possible. I found that hearing from students first hand about how they viewed the program and what they found to be beneficial to them during their application process really helped point me in the right direction as I was applying for my MBA. I attended several events hosted by the admissions committee which also helped me pinpoint whether or not Goizueta would be the right fit for me. I learned about the structure of the program, leadership opportunities, and fellowships on campus.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would start working on applications earlier. Applying and preparing to apply to business school can be a very overwhelming experience, especially when you are working full-time. If I would’ve given myself more time to work on applications, the process would have felt a lot smoother.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I do not think that there is any part of the application process that I would have skipped. Each component is just as equally valuable.
What is your initial impression of the Emory Goizueta students/culture/community?
I had my first impression of the Emory Goizueta community when I attended Inside Goizueta. This weekend event was an incredible weekend filled with authentic conversations with alumni and students, networking, and classroom learning. It gave me a glimpse of what my time as an MBA student could look like if I attended Goizueta. On the first night, we heard from the Associate Dean of Admissions, our Dean Brian Mitchell, and a Goizueta alum who spoke about the lasting impact of the MBA program. I was struck by the genuine support between faculty and students, which immediately made Goizueta feel like home. The following morning, I participated in an engaging finance class simulation alongside other prospective students—many of whom are now my classmates as I continue my first year in the full-time MBA program. The weekend not only solidified my decision to attend Goizueta but also gave me an early glimpse of the collaborative, supportive environment I’m now proud to be a part of.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined the Goizueta Marketing Association, Black MBA Association, and Goizueta Women in Business. With a strong interest in marketing, I want to gain as much experience as I can that will prepare me for my summer internship and career post MBA. With just one meeting, GMA has been extremely helpful in providing resources to help guide my internship search. Black MBA Association offers a community where I am able to connect with peers who share similar experiences, identities and ambitions. As a Forté Fellow, and a Smith College alum, being a member of GWIB is important to me because it provides a continued opportunity to be in an environment with supportive women who inspire and empower one another.
What is one thing you have learned about Emory Goizueta that has surprised you?
One thing that I have learned about Emory Goizueta that has surprised me, is how much alumni are invested in the success of current students. The alumni community goes above and beyond and truly cares about our success both academically and professionally. Prior to starting my MBA journey at Goizueta, I was connected with several alums who shared valuable insights on how to make the most of my Goizueta experience. They also provided personalized career coaching – helping me refine my resume, sharpen my elevator pitch and prepare for conversations with employers. Their generosity and commitment have shown me just how strong and supportive the Goizueta network is, and it’s one of the aspects I value most about being here.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited for the Global Experiential Module which takes place during spring semester. This unique opportunity allows students to explore a business topic in an international context through company visits, executive meetings, and cultural engagements. The experience reflects Goizueta’s emphasis on global perspectives and provides a hands-on way to apply classroom learning while broadening our understanding of international business practices.
