Michael Sanduski, Dartmouth Tuck MBA/MPA Class of 2023
Age: 33
Hometown: Pleasantville, NY
Undergraduate institution and major: Macaulay Honors College-CUNY, Economics & Political Science
Pre-MBA work experience: Citigroup, Analyst & Associate, Public Finance Investment Banking, 2013-2019 (Finance); Aura Financial, Sr. Manager, Treasury & Capital Markets, 2019-2020 (Social Impact/Fintech)
Post-MBA role: Lumen Energy, Director, Business Development, 2023-Present (Clean Tech)
Why did you pursue an MBA?
I was fortunate to begin my career in finance at Citigroup in a division that embodied a true apprenticeship model. While I enjoyed the transactional nature of the work (financing large public infrastructure assets), I came to realize that I wanted to play a more operating, hands-on role in business. Having studied liberal arts in undergrad, I also felt that a formal academic education in management combined with the experiential learning that an MBA affords would provide me the opportunity to make a meaningful career transition. Finally, I wanted to build a wide-ranging network that would enable future entrepreneurial pursuits.
Why did you choose Dartmouth Tuck for your MBA? What factors figured most prominently into your decision?
When it came to choosing a business school, it was only ever really Tuck. I have always thrived in small, tight-knit environments. I wanted to go to a program where you really get to know each classmate, not just your section. I also wanted to go to a program where the entire school—from staff to students to faculty—was “all-in” on the experience. Tuck was that and so much more.
From an educational perspective, I knew that I wanted a general management education. Tuck is a legendary teaching school and having spent seven years in the workforce prior to going back, I was excited to fully dive into academics. Tuck is also a partner school with the Harvard Kennedy School, where I pursued a concurrent Master of Public Administration degree.
Finally, Tuck’s location in Hanover, NH was a differentiator. Having gone to undergrad in New York City, I was excited for a more residential MBA experience, set in what I think is truly some of the most beautiful nature that the U.S. has to offer. Tuck is special in that you can take laps on the ski mountain that Dartmouth owns before afternoon classes.
Why have you pursued a career in social impact?
Impact has been the defining thread of my career. I have always believed in doing well by doing good and I feel privileged to be able to spend my time pursuing work that helps people live healthier, cleaner, more fulfilling lives.
What offerings at Tuck, specifically, supported your work in social impact? And how did they do so?
There were a multitude of offerings at Tuck that supported my work in social impact. My second year, I had the privilege of serving as a board member for Twin Pines Housing Trust, the largest provider of affordable housing in the Upper Valley of VT/NH, as part of Tuck’s Nonprofit Board Fellows Program. The experience provided me priceless insights into best practices for boards that I will carry forward in my career.
I also was a Fellow with the Center for Business, Government & Society (CBGS) and Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital (CPEVC), which co-sponsored my independent research on the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Distributed Energy Resources for commercial buildings. Tuck also sponsored a separate independent field project with an impact focused proptech startup, Jumba, in Nairobi, Kenya, which allowed me to explore impact investing in an emerging markets context.
What advice do you have for prospective MBAs considering MBA programs and planning on having a social impact in their careers?
Impact can come in many forms and you always have the opportunity to weave impact into things that aren’t traditionally considered “social impact.” Every day I see my Tuck classmates contributing to making the world a better place across many domains. The mission of Tuck is to better the world through business and our Dean Matthew Slaughter always says that “the world needs more Tuck.” It sounds trite, but it’s something that I believe deeply.
I also think that the ability to have impact comes from honing both soft and hard skills. The MBA is a unique opportunity to apply your lived experience to molding, shaping, and improving the skills that allow you to have an impact in the world. Whether it’s learning how to influence key stakeholders, navigate complex organizations, or build models to make better financial decisions, an MBA is an incredible sandbox for building a career in social impact.
Anything else you’d like to add?
One of the things that makes Tuck particularly unique is that the journey doesn’t stop after graduation. It’s truly a lifelong fellowship and I feel privileged to speak weekly with Tuckies ranging from alumni who graduated 40 years ago to some of my closest friends from my class (T’23). Every time I go back to Hanover feels like going home.
