In this Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet some new members of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management MBA Class of 2027. These new students convene a wide range of professional paths, united by a shared commitment to leadership, collaboration, and real-world impact. To start, Jordan Lenway arrived at Carlson after a decade of high-stakes operational leadership spanning the U.S. Army and Amazon, where he managed large teams and complex supply chains before pursuing an MBA to pivot into strategy and consulting through Carlson’s Enterprise programs. Then, Kyle Blank transitioned from a successful civil engineering career across commercial, residential, and renewable energy projects, drawn to Carlson by its people-first culture and his desire to move closer to strategic decision-making, with sights set on medical device product and brand management. We also meet Mai Richards, who has 13 years of experience in health and wellness operations at Life Time Inc. She entered the MBA with clarity of purpose and an entrepreneurial mindset rooted in empathy, steady leadership, and a passion for people-centered impact. Manushi Patel, a pediatric registered nurse from Mayo Clinic, is complementing her clinical background with an MBA to build skills in strategy and operations, aiming to improve healthcare systems through leadership roles at the intersection of healthcare and consulting. Rounding out the group, Ryann Engholm blends experience as an occupational therapist, military veteran, and operations leader, pursuing business school to drive system-wide change in healthcare while advocating for inclusive, values-driven leadership. Together, these students exemplify the Carlson MBA’s collaborative culture, experiential learning focus, and strong ties to the Twin Cities business and healthcare ecosystem. Read on for their stories.
Real Humans of the Minnesota Carlson MBA Class of 2027
