Amir Alwani
Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University
Age: 50
“Driven entrepreneur, community leader, and lifelong learner with a passion for impactful business and service.”
Hometown: Coppell, Texas
Family Members: Wife, Ambreen of 26 years; Son, Aliaan 23 years old; Daughter, Aanya 17 years; Mother, Malik Sultana 86 years old.
Fun fact about yourself: From bourbon checkout counters to boardrooms, I get things done. I’ve built businesses, led community initiatives, mentored nonprofit boards, and quietly saved hundreds of volunteer hours through thoughtful negotiation and practical know-how. Whether organizing city events or uniting local businesses for a cause, I’ve always found joy in turning ideas into impact, all with a handshake and a big smile!
Undergraduate School and Degree: SMU Cox-EMBA
Where are you currently working? Principal and operator of 7 different businesses.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: Currently serving as Vice President of my Homeowners Association and formerly Vice President and Director of the North Texas Business Alliance Co-op, I’ve led both community and business initiatives. As a lay minister, I’ve offered pastoral care, mentored nonprofit boards, and helped streamline major events like Decatur’s Food Truck Challenge. As a long-time Chamber of Commerce volunteer, I’ve supported local economic growth while running a multi-unit business for over 30 years. I’ve also organized impactful fundraisers for nonprofits that united local businesses in collaborative giving efforts. A passionate advocate for Positive Youth Development, I’m extensively trained through the Boy Scouts and proudly served as Chairman of the “Youth and Sports Board,” leading programs in sports, service, and scouting.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? What I’m most proud of is the ability to balance it all, continuing to care for my family, manage multiple businesses, serve my community, and stay grounded in my faith while pursuing the rigorous demands of an Executive MBA at Cox. Business school challenged me intellectually, but the true achievement was staying present in all areas of life — faith, family, and responsibility without compromising what matters most. That balance has been my greatest lesson and accomplishment.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? What I’m most proud of is continuing a four-generation legacy of entrepreneurship. Building and sustaining a multi-unit business over 30+ years with resilience, adaptability, and purpose. This journey hasn’t just been about growth; it has been about creating opportunities, supporting livelihoods, and staying true to our family values. The business became more than a livelihood, it became a platform to give back, mentor others, lead community efforts, and invest in long-term impact. I’m proud because it reflects both where I come from and what I stand for: Family, Faith, and building something that lasts.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Wally Boudry was my favorite for his deep expertise in real estate finance and capital markets. His teaching style was sharp, engaging, and grounded in real-world application, especially in areas like REITs and valuation. He challenged us to think critically and strategically, and I left his class with insights I could directly apply to my own real estate investments and business decisions.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose SMU’s Executive MBA program because it offered the rare balance I was looking for. A rigorous, values-driven education that respects the realities of family, business, and faith. With deep roots in Dallas, a strong alumni network, and a curriculum focused on leadership with purpose, SMU felt less like school and more like the next chapter in a lifelong journey of impact and growth.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? My MBA taught me to stay resilient under pressure while thinking strategically across all areas of business. I began using data more effectively to guide decisions, from staffing to performance metrics, leading to smarter, more integrated operations. It’s helped me focus on long-term growth, even in challenging moments.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? Midway through the program, I lost my father, a heartbreaking moment during an already demanding season. At the same time, I was managing my businesses, helping lead our city’s Food Truck Challenge, and staying on top of coursework. Juggling it all wasn’t easy, but I leaned on faith, family, and the support of my study group. I learned to delegate with purpose, stay present where it mattered most, and push forward through grief with resilience. That chapter reminded me that leadership isn’t just about results — it’s about showing up with strength, grace, and heart.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Come into this program with intention and a willingness to grow, not just professionally but personally. Be ready to build a strong NETWORK, because the people you meet will challenge, support, and inspire you in ways the classroom alone can’t. Know that balancing work, life, and school will test your resilience, and progress won’t always be immediate so have patience with yourself and the process. The EMBA journey is as much about who you become as it is about what you learn. Stay focused, stay grounded, and trust that every challenge will shape you into a stronger, more strategic leader.
What was your biggest regret in business school? My biggest regret was not having the time to fully explore everything the program had to offer. Between running my businesses, managing family responsibilities, and staying on top of coursework, I often had to prioritize the essentials. While I gained a tremendous amount from the classroom and my cohort, I wish I had carved out more time to engage in additional experiences — from speaker events to campus activities and deeper networking opportunities. There was so much more available beyond the core and, in hindsight, I would have loved to take greater advantage of it.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? (I most admire Aashish Khandelwal, not only for his intelligence and humility, but for the genuine support he’s shown throughout the program. During times when balancing life, work, and school felt overwhelming, Aashish was the kind of friend who showed up with encouragement, perspective, or just the right sense of humor to get through a tough moment. He’s funny, caring, and quietly brilliant, and he never made anyone feel alone in the struggle. He’s been a steady presence and a true friend for life.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose the Executive MBA program because I wanted to learn with and from other experienced professionals – not just through lectures, but through real conversations, collaboration, and shared challenges. The in-person, cohort-based format offered a unique opportunity to build deep, lasting relationships and expand my network in meaningful ways. The value of the EMBA wasn’t just in the curriculum, it was in being surrounded by peers who brought diverse perspectives and real-world experience to every discussion. That level of connection simply isn’t possible in most part-time or online formats.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my EMBA through personal and business savings that I had set aside over time, knowing that continuing education would be part of my long-term journey. I viewed the program as a high-value investment, not just a cost and made the decision based on the long-term return it would bring to my businesses and leadership growth. What made it more than worth it was the ability to apply what I was learning in real time, directly into daily decision-making, operations, and strategy. That immediate impact reinforced the Life Time Value (LTV) of the education.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to build a lasting legacy through a diversified portfolio that generates perpetual investment returns. This would give me the freedom to travel and support underserved communities around the world — helping improve their quality of life in practical and sustainable ways. I want my success to create meaningful impact beyond business.
DON’T MISS: BEST & BRIGHTEST EXECUTIVE MBAS: CLASS OF 2025
© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.
