Bindu Challapalli
Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University (SMU Cox)
Age: 44
“Tenacious and committed to doing my best at all times.”
Hometown: Allen, TX
Family Members: Chakri, Adhvait, Nigama
Fun fact about yourself: Both my son and I got a black belt in Karate at the same time.
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Bachelor of Technology, Computer Science and Engineering, Sri Krishna Devaraya University, India
Master of Science (Computer Science and Engineering – May 2004), University at Buffalo, the State University of New York
Executive MBA, Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University (SMU Cox), Dallas, Texas
Where are you currently working? NA
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
Student Advisory Board President
Member of COX Consulting Club and Graduate Women in Business Club
Member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I take great pride in concurrently fulfilling the roles of being a mother, SAB president, TA, and mentor to fellow students, all while maintaining kindness and grace. Serving others and making a meaningful impact as a leader always gave me immense joy.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Managing multiple vendors to Implement Health Enterprise and LMS applications for the State of California is something I enjoyed tremendously and which helped me grow as an individual. It helped me connect the dots and understand the complexity of Medicaid/Medicare system to some extent.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? In this era where automated processes often dominate, the Cox School’s EMBA admissions and student engagement team’s authentic concern, precise inquiries, valuable guidance, and facilitation of peer networking underscore their care and commitment. They invested time in recognizing us as individuals beyond the application. I felt genuinely welcomed to the community.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? Understand your strengths and realize where you can contribute early on. Respect the diverse perspectives and complementary abilities your cohort brings to the table. Work as a team towards the end goal.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? I owe everything to the unwavering love and support of my amazing husband and two children. My wonderful friends were always there to lend a helping hand. Although there were moments when I didn’t fully engage or actively participate in their celebrations, they graciously forgave me.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Be intentional and strategic about your end goal. Time management is key. Do not hesitate to Ask for Help. Lean on Your Cohort and Support System.
What was your biggest regret in business school? In retrospect, I wish I had worried less about academics and dedicated more time to networking and developing meaningful connections. If only I had allowed myself to have a little more fun and spent more time appreciating my peers and professors.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Susan Chen, a single mom who is always on and goes above and beyond to help others. I admire her can-do attitude and fortitude to try everything even if it sounds impossible.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose the SMU Cox Executive MBA because it offered in-person classes and the opportunity to work alongside and network with a tight-knit community of professionals who share similar career aspirations.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I viewed my pursuit of an MBA as a natural bridge to enhance my existing technical acumen and acquire the finesse, business skills, and negotiation abilities necessary for strategic leadership. Post-MBA, I aspire to transition into the role of a data product manager. Ultimately, I envision myself as the vice president of the data analytics team, planning organizational strategy and driving adaption while leveraging data-driven insights to achieve business profitability and prioritizing a positive employee experience.
DON’T MISS: BEST & BRIGHTEST EXECUTIVE MBAS OF 2024