Lilian Kabaya, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2025
Lilian Kabaya, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2025Age: Thirty-Two
Hometown: Murang’a, Kenya
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Cumulative experience of 7.5 years post-graduation.
Immediately prior to my MBA, I worked as a business advisor/ investment officer at Iungo Capital in Kenya. Iungo is an impact investment fund providing growth capital and technical assistance to SMEs in East Africa, in the missing middle, levering resources of local business angels as co-investors. I also worked with Anthea, a non-profit fund accelerating early-stage investment in climate action where I helped build their entrepreneur-in-residence program.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I first fell in love with the Private Equity/Venture Capital industry while working as a legal transaction advisor at DLA Piper Kenya, after my undergraduate degree. Soon thereafter, I joined politics as a nominated legislator at the county government, driven by my desire to have an impact in the community.
Reflecting on my experiences, I realized that my passion was in business and working with entrepreneurs to catalyze local investments. This prompted my career pivot to impact investing.
I am pursuing an MBA to get the business management and financial skillset needed to accelerate my career in the investments industry. I also want to develop my leadership skills to effectively drive the change that I would like to see, which is driving investments in the African continent and support for local businesses.
Why did you choose LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The London location was probably the biggest factor for me. I knew that I would need to build professional and social relationships to help me achieve my goals. LBS offers the perfect backdrop for networking, with its diverse student body and location, right at the heart of business and finance. It also mattered that it has built an excellent brand which is recognized globally. The greatest value I will derive from the LBS MBA is a global and rounded perspective in business with a network of LBS alumni to boot.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the London Business School Class of 2025?
Coming from a non-conventional career background, I bring a different perspective to the Class based on my experiences in public service and impact investing in emerging markets. I hope that this adds value to my classmates.
I also take great pride in having a platform to elevate the visibility of minority women in the business world. I firmly believe that it’s crucial for young women to witness the active participation of Black women on a global stage, as it empowers them to aspire to similar heights.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love being in nature and exploring the outdoors. I have visited more than 10 national parks and you will likely find me in a forest, hiking or visiting waterfalls on the weekend.
Post-MBA career interests:
I would like to join Private Equity in the renewable energy/ sustainable infrastructure sector. I believe that there is great potential and opportunity in building the infrastructure needed to support a just and equitable energy transition of emerging economies.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I reached out to several students in various business schools which helped me better understand the culture of the institutions that I was applying to. This helped me make an informed decision on the program that would be a good fit for me.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I applied in the last round, having ruminated over the decision for several months. I therefore had very limited time to submit my visa application, apply for scholarships and prepare for school. I would advise prospective students to apply as early as possible. Irrespective of your background, you should never shy away from following your passion: your story matters and you have something valuable to offer.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GREs. It was hard to prepare for exams in between work and personal commitments. Setting aside some time for regular practice tests helped to build my confidence.
What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
The LBS community is truly diverse in every sense and very lively/action-packed. I am truly impressed by the warmth and open mindedness displayed by the people I have interacted with.
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
LBS has a very deliberate focus on building leadership skills in students and team work right from the onset. There are so many resources and opportunities in the classroom and student led clubs, to harness your potential as a leader, learn and collaborate with peers.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
There are so many exciting events and clubs on campus that I am afraid that I will not have enough time to attend them all. I am quickly learning to prioritize and set aside some time to re- energize.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
It’s hard to pick one. I am really enjoying the engaging classroom discussions and the interesting perspectives offered. I truly look forward getting to know my brilliant classmates, learning more about their diverse backgrounds and cultures, and exploring all the city has to offer with my new friends!
