The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management MBA Class of 2028 brings together students with diverse professional experiences, global perspectives, and ambitions to make an impact across industries. In this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet three members of the Class of 2028 and learn more about their journeys to business school, career aspirations, and early experiences at Kellogg.
To start, Jenny Fu is a New York native who brings eight years of experience spanning financial services consulting and renewable energy finance. After four years as a senior consultant at EY, Fu spent another four years as a senior strategy manager at Sunstone Credit, a startup focused on solar financing for small and medium-sized businesses. Kellogg’s MMM dual-degree program, which combines an MBA with an MS in Design Innovation from Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering, was a deciding factor in her choice. Fu hopes to pursue a career in digital innovation and consulting, ultimately helping multinational organizations develop new business ideas.
Next, Lane Palmer joins Kellogg after five years as a global product manager for Fenty Beauty, part of LVMH’s Kendo Brands. Originally from Washington, D.C., Palmer built her career developing products designed to serve diverse consumers, an experience that sparked her interest in how inclusive product development can extend beyond the beauty industry. With artificial intelligence transforming the ways consumers discover and purchase products, she is pursuing an MBA to transition into technology, particularly product management and strategy at the intersection of commerce and tech.
Rounding out the group is Johnny Valentine, a Memphis native and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy who spent eight years as a Space Force officer. His military career included experience in satellite production, venture capital, and special programs, providing him with a distinctive perspective on the rapidly evolving commercial space industry. As his military service commitment came to an end, Valentine saw business school as an opportunity to transition into the private sector while developing the financial and analytical expertise needed for his next chapter. He chose Kellogg for its student-driven culture, supportive community, and international learning opportunities, and is pursuing the JD/MBA pathway through Kellogg and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Read on to discover more about their motivations for choosing Kellogg, their first impressions of the school, and the advice they have for future applicants.
