The Real Humans of the Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2027 reflect what makes the program: collaborative, down-to-earth, and driven by people who want to build—whether that’s new companies, new career paths, or stronger communities. This group spans spacecraft engineering and professional sports, global finance and Nigerian capital markets, and data-driven strategy work at the intersection of AI, customer experience, and inclusion. What ties them together is a shared hunger to understand the why behind big decisions—and the willingness to show up for one another while they learn, lead, and take bold next steps.
For Natasha Chick, that curiosity was born in high-stakes military service. After six years as a spacecraft engineer with the U.S. Space Force, she joined McCombs to pair her technical and leadership foundation with the financial and strategic context that shapes which missions move forward. Then, Omar Elhaj arrived with 13 years across finance, corporate strategy, and portfolio work, shaped by living on three continents and a clear goal: move from advising and operating to allocating capital. Additionally, Peter Ezeaghaukwu brings an analytical grounding from accounting, audit, and investment roles in Nigeria, motivated by a desire to shift from reviewing the past to shaping the future.
Career reinvention is also a defining theme. Mark Appel, an 11-year MLB veteran whose playing career ended after multiple surgeries, is channeling the discipline, team leadership, and comfort with uncertainty that pro sports demands into a new arena—exploring consulting, entrepreneurship, and the broader sports and entertainment ecosystem through McCombs’ community and fellowships. And, finally, Rajnandini “Dini” Singh comes from analytics consulting, where she used data and AI to drive strategy for major retailers—but wanted to move earlier in the decision cycle, where the right problems get defined. She’s pursuing consulting as a platform to lead transformation at scale while building more inclusive rooms.
Together, these McCombs MBA students embody a class built on ambition without ego: veterans and athletes, investors and operators, strategists and builders. Read on for their stories.
