We are excited to kick off our Real Humans: MBA Students series for the new Classes of 2027! To start, known for its collaborative spirit, values-driven leadership, and strong ties to both North Carolina industry and the global business community, UNC Kenan-Flagler consistently attracts students who want to pair professional ambition with personal impact. With a culture rooted in integrity, inclusion, and innovation, the Tar Heel MBA offers a community where diverse perspectives are celebrated and future leaders are equipped to drive meaningful change.
The newest members of the MBA Class of 2027 reflect this spirit in action. From the Army to animal healthcare, David S. Broderick III brings seven years of active-duty leadership to Chapel Hill with plans to launch an equine sports medicine practice. After chasing her dream job in New York fashion with H&M, Charlotte native Grace Gach is back in North Carolina, pivoting from merchandising to brand management while adding a fresh retail perspective to classroom discussions. Dual-degree student Meghana Patel is bridging medicine and management, determined to give clinicians a voice in healthcare strategy—even as she keeps her competitive Bollywood-fusion dance moves sharp.
Also joining the class, Sophia Lochner traded in her role at the Federal Reserve for a pivot into healthcare consulting, with long-term ambitions of helping providers withstand climate change and natural disasters. And from New Delhi, dentist-turned-health-tech strategist Nida Nayyer is channeling her years in public hospitals and health innovation into shaping the future of medical and dental product strategy. Together, these Tar Heels embody the collaborative, curious, and values-driven energy of UNC Kenan-Flagler, ready to make their mark on campus and beyond.
Read on for their journeys to the UNC MBA, why they chose the program, their advice to new applicants and more.
