Kana Fujimoto, Vanderbilt MBA Class of 2028
Age: 33
Hometown: Osaka, Japan
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Wakayama University, Bachelor of Tourism Management, Major in Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Team Leader, Business Development / Senior Consultant / Consultant, Northsand, Inc. (2023–2026); Sales Representative, Johnson & Johnson Japan (2022); Marketing & Communications, PQE Japan (2019–2022); Marketing / Technical Sales, Nipro Corporation (2016–2019).
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Since early in my career, I had been interested in pursuing an MBA because I wanted to become a more capable business professional and eventually work in a global environment.
After almost ten years of working across healthcare, consulting, and different business functions, this goal became more concrete. As I started managing projects and taking leadership roles, I realized that being good at my own work was not enough. I wanted to become better at bringing people together, understanding different perspectives, and moving things forward more effectively as a team.
I felt this was the right timing to step away from my day-to-day work, strengthen both my business fundamentals and leadership skills, and prepare myself for bigger responsibilities in the future.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Vanderbilt Business’s small and close-knit community was one of the biggest factors for me. I wanted a school where I could really know my classmates and build relationships with them.
I was also attracted to Vanderbilt Business’s strength in healthcare and the Leadership Development Program. Both were closely connected to what I wanted to learn during my MBA.
But what impressed me most was the people. When I met Vanderbilt Business alumni in Japan, I saw how naturally and warmly they still interacted with each other even after graduation, even they came from different class years. During my campus visit, I also remember how warmly the students welcomed me.
Those experiences made me feel that Vanderbilt Business is not a place where your connection ends at graduation. It felt like a community I could continue to be part of for many years, and that became one of the biggest reasons I chose Vanderbilt Business.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I think one of my differentiating contributions is the perspective I gained from seeing business from many different positions.
My career has included technical sales, marketing, medical device sales, healthcare consulting, and business development. I have worked close to customers, supported clients in solving problems, and also experienced decision-making from the corporate side. It taught me that the same problem can look very different depending on where you sit.
So in class or team discussions, I hope I can bring different angles: What does this look like from the customer’s side? Is it realistic for the people who actually need to execute it? What is important from the management side?
I also bring my healthcare experience and a Japanese perspective. I spent most of my career in Japan while also working with international teams and stakeholders. I hope I can sometimes be a bridge between different functions, industries, and cultural perspectives, while also learning from my classmates and changing my own assumptions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My father introduced me to the sanshin, a traditional Japanese string instrument, and I used to play it before coming to Nashville.
After moving to Music City, I thought it would be a good chance to try another instrument, so I bought a bouzouki and started learning it by watching YouTube videos.
Classes are so busy now that I do not have much time for a long practice session. But even just holding the bouzouki, playing a few chords I recently learned, and feeling the vibration helps me reduce some of the stress of MBA life!
Post-MBA career interests:
In the short term, I would like to continue building on my experience in consulting and healthcare.
Longer term, I hope to take on a more senior role where I can contribute to clients at a more strategic and managerial level, not only on individual projects or operational issues.
I also want to develop younger professionals to become an important part of my career. There were many times when I wished I had someone close by who could guide me through difficult situations. At the same time, in one of my previous roles, I met someone I deeply respected and thought, “I want to become someone like this.”
In the future, I hope I can become that kind of person for someone else.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would definitely visit campuses and talk with current students and alumni.
A website can tell you about academics, recruiting, and rankings, but it is much harder to understand how you will actually feel in that community.
By visiting in person and talking with people, I could see how they treated me and whether I could imagine myself being part of the community. For me, that feeling was very important when choosing Vanderbilt Business.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would definitely start earlier. Although honestly, I probably would have said I was running out of time no matter when I started.
I struggled especially with the GRE, so if I could do it again, I would start preparing for it much earlier and give myself more time.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
At the time, I probably would have said the GRE. I remember many times wishing I could just skip it.
Interestingly, now that I am living and studying in the U.S., I sometimes find myself using words I learned while studying for the GRE, or seeing them in cases we discuss in class.
I definitely did not feel this way at the time, but looking back, I am actually glad I studied for it.
What is your initial impression of the Vanderbilt Business students/culture/community?
My first impression is that people here are very warm, calm, and down-to-earth.
At the same time, once we are in class or working on assignments, people actively participate, speak up, and challenge themselves. That has been very motivating for me.
I feel there is a strong sense of psychological safety at Vanderbilt Business, but people still push themselves to grow. I like that I can feel comfortable speaking up while also being challenged by the people around me.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined the Japanese Business Club, Vanderbilt Business Healthcare Association, Vanderbilt Business Strategy and Consulting Club, Culinary Club, and Tech and Operations Club.
Honestly, I joined them because they are all connected to things I am interested in or simply enjoy. Healthcare and consulting are directly related to my background and career interests, while technology and operations are areas I want to learn more about.
I joined the Culinary Club simply because I am obsessed with food! I once ran a small food stand in Japan selling patacones, an Ecuadorian snack, so I am also interested in how food can bring people together.
For the Japanese Business Club, I am the only Japanese student in the Class of 2028, so I felt a little like, “If I don’t do it, who will?”
Club activities are just getting started, so honestly I am not sure how actively I can participate in everything. But I want to enjoy as much as possible and experience the different communities Vanderbilt Business offers.
What is one thing you have learned about Vanderbilt Business that has surprised you?
Before coming to Vanderbilt Business, I already felt that the community was strong. But after joining the program, I was still surprised by how many people are willing to spend their own time sharing their experiences and advice, especially about recruiting and careers.
I have also been surprised by how practical the classes are. Even though the program has just started, I can already see connections between what we are learning and situations I experienced at work.
There have already been moments when I thought, “I wish I had known this when I was managing projects.”
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about continuing to broaden my perspective through the people around me.
Through classes, club activities, and everyday conversations, I already feel that my perspective is getting broader, not only academically and professionally, but also personally.
There are many people here with backgrounds and experiences completely different from mine. I am excited to discover new ideas, industries, cultures, and different ways of looking at things.
At the same time, I hope that while learning from others, I can also contribute something from my own experience and maybe broaden someone else’s perspective along the way.
