2023 Best & Brightest Executive MBA: Ramraghi Vesta Fuller, U.C. Irvine (Merage)

Ramraghi Vesta Fuller

The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California-Irvine

Age: 47

“Service, quality, and results – these attributes are at the heart of how I operate each day.”

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Family Members: Esther Fuller (Mom), Donovan Hunter (Son)

Fun fact about yourself: I attended high school in “a house of marble on a hill of granite” built in 1915.

Undergraduate School and Degree: UCLA, UCI Merage

Where are you currently working? J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Executive Director

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:

UCI EMBAssador 2021-2023

Newport Bay Conservancy, Board Treasurer

Coastline Community College Foundation, Board President

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I was a panel speaker at the Black Management Association (BMA) Conference 2022. I had an opportunity to discuss racial wealth gaps that exists in our digitally driven global economy. I hope that I inspired and offered actionable ideas to serve as a catalyst of change in closing the wealth gap.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I measure career success by the health of my relationships and heightened by what I do to help others. I pride myself on building lasting relationships and offering honest guidance. This is what sets me apart and enables me to deliver my fullest potential to my professional relationships.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Heaven has no favorites, neither do I. UCI Merage offers the best-in-class professors.

Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? Outside of strong business foundations, the immersed certificates in Entrepreneurship, Digital Transformation, Healthcare and Real Estate were unique to other MBA programs.

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? Keep raising your hand. Even when not chosen, you will be remembered for having participated. There will be another opportunity to participate. Keep testing your mettle.

Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family, and education? Pro-tip: Implement color-coding in your calendar to manage work, family, and education. This visual system works well not only functionally but is likely to lower your stress. Prior to color-coding, I was often double-booked with life responsibilities.

What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Enter and participate with a purpose. My purpose was in tribute to my dad, Henry Fuller, who firmly saw education as the foundation for participating in civic life.

What was your biggest regret in business school? Diversity of thought is powerful. Do your best to collaborate with every person in your cohort. Push yourself you collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Nisha Pagan. I am so impressed by how Nisha has maximized the curriculum with her full engagement and curiosity of learning new things. Not only does she seek to elevate herself, but she also seeks to empower those around her.

What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? The market is changing rapidly across all industries hence lifelong learning is critical to career development. UCI Merage EMBA program is committed to refreshing and expanding skills for individuals who want to continue to make an impact in their professional careers.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term professional goal consists of smaller goals to help me become a better leader in the workplace and community. The most important of these goals is being a mentor and looking for opportunities to elevate others.

What made Ramraghi Fuller such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?

“I am writing to highly recommend Ramraghi Fuller for her exceptional leadership, dedication, and professional achievements as she prepares to graduate from the University of California Irvine Paul Merage School of Business Executive MBA program this June 2023. As the Executive Director of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Ramraghi has consistently exhibited remarkable skills and a strong commitment to excellence.

Throughout her tenure as an Executive MBA student, Ramraghi has consistently displayed a high level of intellectual curiosity, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. Her contributions to the classroom discussions were invaluable, as she not only shared her own insights and experiences but also actively encouraged others to participate and engage in thoughtful discourse. Ramraghi’s ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive learning environment was truly commendable and greatly enhanced the educational experience for her peers.

As the Executive Director of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Ramraghi has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities. Her strategic thinking, sound decision-making skills, and ability to navigate complex business challenges have been instrumental in driving the success of the organization. Ramraghi’s dedication to achieving exceptional results while maintaining strong client relationships is truly commendable. She possesses a unique blend of analytical acumen, innovative thinking, and interpersonal skills.

Ramraghi’s integrity and professionalism are second to none. Her strong ethical compass guides her actions and interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Ramraghi consistently displays a strong sense of responsibility and accountability, and her ability to lead by example is truly inspiring. Her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment has earned her the respect and admiration of her team members and peers alike. Ramraghi is the definition of a model Executive MBA student.”

Stephanie Leonard, MBA
Director, MBA Program Services

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