Andrew Leon Hanna, Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2022
Age: 28
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Duke University, Public Policy; Attended graduate school at Harvard Law School, received a J.D.
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Law – ~3 years (law school); Consulting – ~2.5 years; Social Enterprise – ~1 year
Why business school? Why now?
My hope is to help ensure folks in our communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged, are treated with equal dignity and provided meaningful socio-economic opportunities. Toward the equal dignity goal, I’ve focused on how the law and writing can be utilized both to strengthen human rights, for example of refugees and of those who are in prison, and to ensure that people are portrayed as full human beings worthy of respect. To me, business school is a way to advance further toward the socioeconomic opportunity goal – combining my work in social enterprise with writing and with my role as a lawyer to continue creating innovative initiatives that serve those who need a shot and are too-often counted out.
Why Stanford GSB? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I was looking for a place that might push me to dream as big as possible, looking beyond existing boundaries to imagine a more just, unified society – and one that would provide opportunities to act on those ideas. I felt that Stanford University and the GSB embodied a spirit of innovation and aspiration that would be the perfect place to experiment. Even the GSB’s slogan of “Change Lives, Change Organizations, Change the World” seemed to me like an indication that it would embrace and work to support even the most audacious ideas from its community members.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
I hope that I’m able to make folks in our class feel encouraged, uplifted, and personally supported. I often share with people about how I grew up extremely quiet – not because that was my real personality, but because I wasn’t really sure at first how to find my voice. I wasn’t sure how to fit in. With the help of a few mentors, especially at church, I came to embrace all the aspects that define me – from my personality to my Christian faith, to my identity as a first-generation Egyptian-American, to my pride in my hometown of Jacksonville, and more. This was an incredible turning point for me, and so ever since then, I have been on the lookout for ways to help others find their voices and feel empowered to be fully themselves. I just need to be more intentional about it!
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
Cairo, the port where my parents emigrated from when they left Egypt (though they actually grew up in Upper Egypt), is on the same exact latitude line as Jacksonville, Florida, where my parents settled in the U.S. and where I was born, raised, and still call home!
Post-MBA career interests?
Social impact and public service.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
In case this is helpful to anyone reading, one of the quotes that has resonated with me is from Dean Luke Powery of the Duke University Chapel, who said during our commencement weekend a few years ago: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive.” In my view, it was really valuable treating the personal essay as an opportunity to slow down and reflect on moments and topics that animate me at the deepest level (that make me “come alive”), how the values underlying those moments and topics have driven my life so far, and how I want to advance those values going forward. I hope that this can be a silver lining for those going through what can be a really frustrating application process, especially right now in what is an even more difficult time than usual.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would probably take time off before starting school – both to rest and to think about how to make the most of my time once things get started.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Recommendations. I always feel a bit guilty asking for recommendation letters, especially from folks who have been generous about giving them in other contexts already. To at least make things a bit better for everyone involved, I tried to make it a point to let my recommenders know how much I have appreciated their support in my life. And I have committed to keeping them in the loop on my latest life developments, projects, etc., which is something I am actually trying to improve on in the coming months.
What is your initial impression of Stanford GSB’s students/culture/community?
One thing I have felt to be powerful at the GSB already is the emphasis on learning to be your authentic self in a variety of different organizational contexts, in order both to be more personally satisfied and to become a more empowering leader. Relatedly, the culture here places a major emphasis on personal growth and reflection, which has been very refreshing. And I’ve also noticed that the GSB community is incredibly excited about getting to know one another at a deep level, something that has created such a sense of warmth even amid social isolation measures.
One thing you have learned about Stanford GSB that has surprised you?
Honestly, I’m always surprised by the lack of humidity in California; growing up in Florida, I just thought daily intense humidity was a fact of life.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Being thoughtful and intentional about time, with so many competing opportunities and commitments.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Coming up with and working on exciting social impact ideas!
