Izaiha Ellis, Washington Foster’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Washington, English Language and Literature
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Strategy Consultant, Slalom Strategy, 4 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Being a strategy consultant provided wonderful opportunities to see the insides of various companies and problem types. I loved my time, but found myself wanting to look at strategy holistically, from end to end. I wanted to own something and knew that to do this, I’d need to move into industry. The MBA stood out to me as a great opportunity to make this career pivot. Looking at the trends happening in the industries I was interested in, I knew now was the perfect time to go back to school.
Why did you choose the University of Washington Foster? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Foster because having graduated from the University of Washington, I knew the reputation the Foster school had in the PNW and West Coast overall. The small class sizes and connections to the great companies in the PNW factored heavily in my decision to coming to Foster. I loved the community focus of the program.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Washington Foster MBA Class of 2026?
In a world of MBA students looking to go into consulting, I am one of the few people coming from that background. This has allowed me to help support my fellow classmates as they look to begin the consulting recruiting process (always happy to help with casing!).
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I (somehow) managed to check off one of the most coveted Seattle bucket list items: live on a houseboat. It was an experience to say the least…
Post-MBA career interests:
Corporate Strategy or Marketing. I love telling stories and I’d love to move into any role that allows me to further this passion in creative ways.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Take time really reflecting on what I wanted out of my MBA experience, beyond just the job afterwards. This allowed me to narrow down my list and assess each option on a very targeted set of criteria.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Talk to more students. There is a lot of great information online, and speaking with alumni is great; however, current students have a unique perspective that is equally as important.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I wouldn’t have wanted to skip anything honestly. I loved the research, the writing, and interviews. I thought the process was a lot of fun! Reminding myself of my “why” helped me get through it all and stay grounded throughout the process.
What is your initial impression of the Washington Foster MBA students/culture/community?
The students and community are very tight-knit. I love how much our cohort supports one another and gets together outside of classes. This extends beyond our sections, and I really feel like a part of a community.
What is one thing you have learned about Washington Foster that has surprised you?
That the program places you into groups that you work with all quarter on team assignments. This approach seemed to be one that was unique to Foster, and I was not fully aware of how it worked prior to starting. Shoutout Team 3.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Finance.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Seeing how all my classmates immerse themselves in Seattle and the UW community overall.
