We’re introducing some new members of the Yale School of Management MBA Class of 2026, a group of future leaders with a shared mission to create impactful change across industries in this edition of our ongoing series, Real Humans: MBA Students. Each student brings a unique combination of professional experience, cultural perspective, and personal ambition that enriches the vibrant and supportive SOM community.
If we look at the Yale SOM MBA class profile first, the class is comprised of 347 students. Thirty-nine percent of the new class are women. Forty-eight percent hold passports for a country other than the U.S. and represent 42 different countries altogether. Fifty-six percent of U.S. students identify as U.S. students of color and 16 percent identify as a U.S. underrepresented minority.
Turning to their undergraduate years, the median GPA, out of U.S. schools on a 4.0 scale, came in at 3.68. Thirty-four percent earned a degree in a STEM discipline during their undergraduate years. Twenty-eight percent graduated with degrees in business while a fifth had majored in humanities/social sciences. Another 18 percent had pursued economics.
When it came time to take the GMAT, the median GMAT (10th edition) score of this Yale SOM class is 730 while those who submitted GMAT Focus test results landed a median score of 675. For the 38 percent of incoming students who opted to take the GRE, their median scores clocked in at 164 Verbal and 166 Quant. In the Yale SOM class profile, we also see that students averaged 4.9 years of work experience. Financial services topped the pre-MBA industry experience at roughly 24 percent. Twenty-two percent had been working in consulting before matriculating. Another nearly 14 percent came from the tech industry, followed by nine percent from nonprofit.
Turning to the students we meet in the following pages, we start with Emily Nagler from Chappaqua, NY. She draws on her background in fundraising for global nonprofits to explore the intersection of private capital and social impact. With her experience in public policy and global health, she is excited to delve into consulting, social enterprises, and impact investing, aiming to address complex societal challenges. Then, Montel Hall from Waukegan, IL, transitioned from a finance role at Citibank to pursue investment banking and impact investing. Known for his community-building spirit, Montel fosters inclusivity, encouraging meaningful connections within the SOM network. He is especially looking forward to SOM’s International Experience, which aligns with his global business ambitions. Kanika Jakhar, a former scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation, brings a unique mix of technical expertise and curiosity, which she eagerly shares with her classmates to foster a collaborative learning environment. Additionally, Ryan Kelley merges his experience in media production at Freakonomics Radio and consulting to tackle strategic challenges in the information ecosystem. We then hear from Will von Behr, a former founder and CEO of a travel-tech startup. With a background in investment banking, he’s excited to pursue consulting, combining his analytical rigor and leadership experience. Finally, María José Güémez Calzado from Mexico City has a strong foundation in consulting with McKinsey & Company and is passionate about educational development in Latin America. Committed to building an inclusive community, she actively supports both Latinx and women’s networks at SOM, embodying the school’s mission of collaborative growth.
Together, Yale SOM’s MBA Class of 2026 is ready to navigate diverse industries, from social impact to consulting and entrepreneurship. They are united by a commitment to Yale’s mission, a shared enthusiasm for experiential learning, and a dedication to driving meaningful change in both business and society. Read on for their stories.
