Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Profiles
Select a Fuqua RPCV below to read their profile Q & A:
Sumathi Balasubramanian
RPCV
Samoa 2002-2004
MBA Candidate 2007
Lauren Gardner
RPCV Eastern Caribbean (St. Lucia) 2002-2004
MBA Candidate 2007
Annie Kallus
RPCV
Mali 2000-2002
MBA Candidate 2007
Mel Lee
RPCV Ghana 2002-2004
MBA Candidate 2007
Rob Marshall
RPCV Ghana 2002-2004 (stationed in Mpohor and Takoradi)
MBA Candidate 2007
Charles Scrase
RPCV St. Vincent & the Grenadines 2001-2003
MBA Candidate 2008
Sumathi Balasubramanian
RPCV Samoa 2002-2004
MBA Candidate 2007
Why did you decide to go to business school?
I knew that I wanted to be in the social sector, and believed that I was missing
essential business skills.
How has your experience in the Peace Corps served you while in business
school?
I feel like have an added dimension of appreciation for the diversity in
our class and an element of empathy for all of my classmates. But most of
all, I feel that Peace Corps afforded me a glimpse of what the world really
needs, and now business school is helping me understand how I can address
those needs to better the quality of life for people around the world.
What are your post-business-school goals?
Eventually I hope to start an organization that uses technology to teach
children about diversity around the world.
Why did you choose Duke?
Fuqua is on the cutting edge of the field of social entrepreneurship with
phenomenal faculty, courses and the speakers that CASE brings to campus.
I also felt that Duke was more people-focused; not only did it shine with
stellar academics, but also in giving its students some of the best leadership
and teamwork skills that ensure post-graduate success
Lauren Gardner
RPCV Eastern Caribbean (St. Lucia) 2002-2004
MBA Candidate 2007
Why did you decide to go to business school?
While working with non-profits in the Peace Corps I found myself wishing I had
some concrete skills in things like finance, HR, and management. I knew I
wanted to continue working with non-profits or government organizations so
I figured getting my MBA would be the quickest way to equip myself with those
skills.
What are your post-business-school goals?
I have successfully transitioned out of business school and am currently working
as the Director of Operations at a start-up non-profit where I am getting great
hands-on experience with all aspects of starting and running an organization.
I plan to continue working in the social sector and hope that in the future my
work will give me a chance to get overseas again.
Why did you choose Duke?
Coming from two years in the Caribbean I knew I needed to live some where with
good weather and friendly people - so NC made a lot of sense. I also wanted
to go to a great business school but one where there were at least some students
and faculty interested is non-profits and social enterprise. I was able to visit
Fuqua and definitely liked the “vibe” of students. They didn’t fit my stereotype
of an MBA and I loved the excitement everyone had for clubs and organizations
outside of the classroom.
Annie Kallus
RPCV Mali 2000-2002
MBA Candidate 2007
Why did you decide to go to business school?
I had worked in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the past and I
wanted to learn more about hybrid organizations that combine the best things
form both sectors. Also, I am interested in entrepreneurship and I knew that,
as a liberal arts undergrad, I needed to prepare myself for starting my own
business!
How has your experience in the Peace Corps served you while in business
school?
My PC experience has also helped me build a resourceful, streamlined working
style. A lot of employers value a scrappy can-do attitude and the ability
to build relationships. The Peace Corps really develops that in you.
Why did you choose Duke?
Duke also offered me a top general management program with access to the
top thought leaders in social entrepreneurship. The culture of the school
is down-to-earth, entrepreneurial and supportive. These were all important
cultural aspects that now make me extremely proud to be at Duke.
Mel Lee
RPCV Ghana 2002-2004
MBA Candidate 2007
Why did you decide to go to business school?
I went to business school to obtain a skill set that would complement my engineering
background.
How has your experience in the Peace Corps served you while in business
school?
The cross cultural experience of the Peace Corps gives you a perspective
on issues and problems that others may not consider. It also enables you
to better connect with the many international students.
What are your post-business-school goals?
I want to find a position that would allow me to use both my engineering
and MBA skills to create valuable products that improve peoples lives.
Right now I have narrowed my focus to medical devices or educational products.
Why did you choose Duke?
I choose Duke because it emphasized the development of softer skills. There
is strong emphasis on developing the skills necessary to succeed in a collaborative
environment. Additionally, Duke is home to some of the world’s best graduate
schools. The world’s toughest problems are not going to be solved within
any one discipline, having access to thought leaders in law, public policy,
engineering, medicine and environmental studies was important to me.
Rob Marshall
RPCV Ghana 2002-2004 (stationed in Mpohor and Takoradi)
MBA Candidate 2007
Why did you decide to go to business school?
I was looking for a way to transition into the health sector and figured business
school would give me the best leadership skills to do so effectively.
How has your experience in the Peace Corps served you while in business
school?
Having lived in the US and in Ghana, a lot of assumptions about the effects
of culture on decision making processes seem to be much more real based on
my experience. Also the student-driven nature of Fuqua is very similar to
the volunteer led initiatives I was a part of while in Peace Corps - makes
it a very comfortable place for me.
Why did you choose Duke?
I chose Fuqua based on the strength of the Health Sector Management program.
This program has a well developed curriculum that also gets you out into
other schools and areas within Duke. Working cross-functionally in this
program is very much like working with different agencies and NGO’s as
I did in Ghana.
Charles Scrase
RPCV St. Vincent & the Grenadines 2001-2003
MBA Candidate 2008
Why did you decide to go to business school?
I wanted to continue to develop the leadership skills that I had acquired in
the Peace Corps, and wanted to transition into the private sector to develop
the business skills necessary to eventually return to St. Vincent and develop
the tourism industry.
What are your post-business-school goals?
I am hoping to work in the hotel or travel industry in the United States,
developing the knowledge and skills to one day begin to open hotels in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Why did you choose Duke?
I chose Duke because of the diversity, the opportunity to make a significant
impact, and the culture. Fuqua boasts a tremendous population of highly
intelligent and motivated people, but more importantly, it s a community
of kind and interesting people who are eager to help you.