Arya Diwase
Daytime MBA
Prior Education:
Why I Chose Fuqua
I chose Fuqua because of how much this school invests in people. That investment in people has remained a constant throughout my time at Fuqua. Despite pursuing a non-traditional career path of launching my company instead of recruiting, Fuqua created a support system for me beyond traditional classes. Solely through entrepreneurial opportunities on campus with events such as Fuqua Fast Pitch and the strong mentorship culture, I was able to raise $35,000 to fund my venture over the summer. This support has positioned me to launch and work on my startup after graduation.
5 of My Favorite Fuqua Activities
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Fuqua Friday. I love coming together with the larger Fuqua community and closing the week out on a high.
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INDUS Diwali Celebration. A little bit of home away from home.
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Orientation Offsite. Team Fuqua is real, and it all begins on day 1! Spending a day with my section and C-LEAD outdoors and participating in team-building activities was the best way to make friends and find my community early in the year.
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Campout. An unforgettable Duke tradition that has bonded my classmates and me for life.
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Rise Against Hunger. I found a place with a shared passion for social impact and this event truly exemplifies that passion.
My Life Before Fuqua
Before Fuqua, I was working within the social impact space. First I worked at a civil rights law firm called Sanford Heisler Sharp where I supported victims of discrimination in academic and corporate settings to provide equal access and opportunity. I was then selected to serve as a Clinton Fellow with the American India Foundation. This opportunity allowed me to return to my home country India, for a year, where I helped an education nonprofit establish high-impact partnerships with state governments to disseminate their unique life skills-focused curriculum. For five years, I had also been running my nonprofit Jazz Hands Foundation that supports underprivileged students in Pune, India by teaching them English using a one-of-a-kind drama curriculum that I developed in conjunction with faculty at NYU.
My Life After Fuqua
After Fuqua, I intend to continue working in the social impact space. However, my focus has shifted from nonprofits to building sustainable social enterprises that can manage a double bottom line. Through Himayat I hope to transform the informal labor economy to make it more equitable, ethical, and profitable. By pursuing a dual MBA/MPP at Duke, I’m trying to develop the skills needed to succeed as a social entrepreneur.
My Fuqua Activities
MBAA Co-President
CASE Co-Lead
EVCC Entrepreneurship Vice President
Melissa & Doug Entrepreneur
