In this Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet some new members of the Chicago Booth MBA Class of 2027, a dynamic group of leaders whose paths span biotechnology, entrepreneurship, pro sports, creative marketing, and global innovation. Their journeys differ widely, yet they share a common thread: a desire to sharpen their analytical abilities, strengthen their leadership skills, and immerse themselves in Booth’s famously flexible, intellectually vibrant community.
To start, from Boston, Devon Crittenden arrives with five years of nonprofit biotech experience, seeking to translate her mission-driven approach into broader healthcare strategy and consulting roles. Her work leading research and operations at a start-up shaped her belief in balancing impact with performance. Then, entrepreneur Ava McClain hails from New Orleans, where she spent seven years building and sustaining her IT recruiting firm, Tekchix. Ready to scale her company nationwide, she came to Booth for its pay-it-forward culture, data-driven curriculum, and globally diverse network. Houston native Alex Miller adds yet another dimension: the perspective of a former Division I athlete and brief NFL player who later transitioned into consulting. With aspirations in financial services, he chose Booth for its unmatched legacy in finance and collaborative, humble student culture.
We also meet Sofia Kosterlitz, who blends creativity and analytical rigor as an “artsy engineer” with experience in innovation consulting, fintech, and digital transformation. Drawn to Booth’s academic flexibility, she hopes to deepen her product and technology expertise while contributing her cross-disciplinary curiosity to her peers. Then, from Baltimore, Hannah Meshulam brings a creative storytelling lens shaped by roles in marketing, writing, and even TV production. Now focused on building strong quantitative and strategic foundations, she chose Booth for its academic rigor and supportive community. Rounding out the group is Ade Oparinu, a Nigerian entrepreneur and builder who co-founded two start-ups—including a fintech venture acquired just 15 months after launch. With eyes set on healthtech, he sought out Booth’s self-directed curriculum and proximity to leading medical institutions.
Together, these Boothies embody the school’s spirit of curiosity, intellectual depth, and interdisciplinary ambition. Get to know them–and the Boothie lifestyle–more in the following pages.
