The Cornell University Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management MBA Class of 2028 brings together leaders from across industries and around the world, united by a desire to expand their impact through Johnson’s collaborative community and hands-on learning model. From military leadership and fintech to private equity, entrepreneurship, consumer products, technology, and entertainment, the six students representing the class in this Real Humans: MBA Students arrived in Ithaca with diverse experiences and ambitious goals.
To start, Amanoa Elias de Godoy joins Johnson after nine years leading sales operations at one of Brazil’s top fintech companies. Inspired to broaden her strategic and finance expertise, she hopes to transition into consulting and strategy before ultimately supporting women entrepreneurs across emerging markets through expanded access to capital. After a decade as a U.S. Army intelligence officer, David Brown is channeling his leadership and organizational expertise into business. He chose Johnson for its practical, team-oriented approach to learning and plans to pursue opportunities in consulting and asset management while contributing his ability to quickly build trust and navigate complex organizations.
Then, Ikumi Shimada brings a unique perspective shaped by roles across Japan’s private equity ecosystem, spanning corporate insurance, fund investing, asset management, and investor relations. After persevering through a previous application cycle, she found a supportive home at Johnson and now hopes to build on her finance experience with a career in investment banking or private equity. Entrepreneur Jessica Hua arrives at Johnson after founding Whip’d, an early-stage high-protein food company, and previously working in technology-focused public relations and analytics. Passionate about consumer packaged goods, she was drawn to Johnson’s strengths in brand management, entrepreneurship, and food innovation as she prepares for a career in brand management.
Originally from Italy, Nicola Rivetti combines engineering expertise with operational leadership gained at Amazon. Seeking to bridge technology and finance, he was attracted by Johnson’s industry Immersions and collaborative community, and plans to pursue roles at the intersection of product management and corporate finance. Finally, with a career spanning artist management, advertising, and global marketing at Universal Music Group, Chance Jennings brings an entertainment industry perspective that is uncommon in MBA classrooms. Inspired in part by his wife’s Johnson experience, he hopes to leverage his marketing background while preparing for a transition into management consulting focused on media and entertainment.
Read on for their stories in this Real Humans: MBA Students.
