Eva Shvartcer, Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2028
Age: 29
Hometown: Nizhny Tagil/Cheboksary, Russia and Dallas, TX
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Bachelor’s of Music (violin)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Development Manager, The Dallas Opera (nonprofit fundraising, 1 year), Development Manager (nonprofit fundraising, 2.7 years), Freelance violinist (6 years)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Business school has been a goal of mine for the past four years. Through my work in nonprofit fundraising across the arts and healthcare sectors, I saw firsthand how structural inefficiencies can limit an organization’s impact—from unsustainable financial models and slow communication to weak donor-retention practices.
I also saw how strategic decisions can create meaningful change. Most recently, I negotiated in-kind partnerships that reduced event costs by 33%, allowing more funds to be redirected to community health initiatives. Experiences like that showed me that stronger business practices can help mission-driven organizations serve more people.
I am pursuing an MBA now because I have developed strong communication and relationship-building skills, and I am ready to pair them with deeper analytical, financial, and strategic capabilities. Post-MBA, I hope to work in consulting and help nonprofits and mission-driven organizations build long-term financial sustainability at a larger scale.
Why did you choose Duke Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision?
Fuqua stood out to me from the beginning. Writing the “25 Random Things About Yourself” essay made me feel that the admissions team genuinely wanted to understand who I was beyond my academic and professional accomplishments.
When I was deciding where to enroll, I attended a Fuqua Around the World event in Dallas without a clear decision in mind. By the time I left, I knew Fuqua was where I wanted to be. It simply felt like home.
Of course, Fuqua’s academic rigor and career outcomes mattered, but the deciding factor was the people. Throughout the admissions process, current students and alumni were remarkably generous with their time, advice, and encouragement. That sense of genuine community is what ultimately made Fuqua the right choice for me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I hope to bring a relationship-centered and resourceful perspective shaped by my experience in nonprofit fundraising and as a former professional violinist. In fundraising, I learned how to listen closely, build trust, connect people to a shared mission, and turn meaningful relationships into action.
I also bring the discipline and collaborative mindset that come from performing music professionally. I value being part of a team, making space for others’ voices, and helping people feel connected to a larger purpose. At Fuqua, I hope to be someone who brings people together, contributes energy to the community, and helps turn empathy into impact.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application.
When I was six years old, I got to dance on stage with an up-and-coming Russian pop star. My parents and I were sitting in the front row at his concert when he asked whether there were any children in the audience and invited us onstage during one of his songs. It was an early—and very public—lesson in saying yes to unexpected opportunities.
Post-MBA career interests
Post-MBA, I hope to join a strategy consulting firm and focus on projects for nonprofits and other mission-driven organizations. I want to combine my frontline fundraising experience with the quantitative, financial modeling, and strategic skills I develop at Fuqua to help organizations build sustainable financial models, use resources more effectively, and expand their long-term impact.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely start the essay process early and break the work into smaller, consistent chunks. Beginning a few months in advance gave my stories time to develop, helped me avoid writer’s block, and made the process feel much more manageable and less rushed.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would take full-length GMAT and GRE practice tests about a week apart before deciding which test to focus on. I spent a year preparing for the GMAT before taking a practice test and realizing that the GRE was a better fit for my strengths. Taking both diagnostic tests early can help applicants make a more informed decision and focus their study time where it will be most effective.
–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 definitely be studying for the GRE on Christmas Day. I was upstairs in my room studying while my family played board games downstairs—definitely not the most glamorous part of the process.
What helped me get through it was my family’s support. Knowing that people were rooting for me—and sometimes believed in me even more than I believed in myself—made the difficult days much more manageable.
What is your initial impression of the Duke Fuqua students, culture, and community?
The Fuqua community is the reason I chose to attend Fuqua, and I have already seen that “Team Fuqua” is much more than a phrase. My classmates are ambitious and accomplished, but they are also genuinely generous with their time, advice, and support.
I especially value the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the class. I am learning so much from the people around me, both inside and outside the classroom. There is a strong sense that we are all invested in one another’s success, and I experience that collaborative culture every day.
What student organizations have you joined or are you hoping to join, and why?
I plan to join the Consulting Club to prepare for consulting recruitment and, eventually, to give back as a second-year resource and mentor for incoming students. I also applied for the Marketing Fellowship, where I hope to help Fuqua tell its story through social media and content creation.
As a former professional violinist, I am also excited to join the Duke Symphony Orchestra next semester once recruiting slows down. For fun and community, I am looking forward to attending events through the Board Games Club, Culinary Club, and Wine Club.
What is one thing you have learned about Duke Fuqua that has surprised you?
One happy surprise has been Fuqua Fridays. Somehow, they never came up during my application or admissions journey, so I was delighted to discover them once I arrived. Every Friday during the fall and spring, students and their families can come together after class for food, games, and drinks.
It is such a simple tradition, but it has been a wonderful, low-pressure way to meet people and build stronger connections across the Fuqua community.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited to build genuine friendships. I feel incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such accomplished, hardworking, and ambitious people. As an extrovert, I love getting to know people beyond their resumes and learning what motivates them.
I am excited to build relationships that make my MBA experience richer now and continue long after graduation.
