The HBS Summer Fellows Program enables students to apply their classroom training as they explore career opportunities in roles or regions where compensation is generally lower than the traditional MBA level. This summer, we are connecting with some of our 78 Social Enterprise Summer Fellows, who are working around the world to develop skills and knowledge while having significant responsibility and high impact.
What are you working on this summer?
This summer, I am working for PATH, a global healthcare NGO dedicated to democratizing healthcare resources and advancing affordable healthcare solutions. PATH allocates most of its resources to overcoming healthcare barriers in both high- and low-income countries, operating across more than 70 countries. I am involved in the acquisition of a startup intended to be incubated within PATH. This role requires me to conduct due diligence on the startup, perform financial modeling to project future revenues based on potential synergies, and develop investor materials such as the prospectus and investor deck to support fundraising efforts.
Why did you choose this internship for the summer?
I have spent most of my career working on social impact-oriented projects and have always been interested in exploring a purely finance-driven role. Before attending HBS, I worked at a startup focused on strategy and operations to formalize informal retail markets in emerging African economies. Leveraging the operational knowledge gained from that experience, I sought a summer internship that would allow me to delve deeper into finance within a new sector, combining technical expertise and strategic thinking. PATH appealed to me particularly due to the evolving landscape within the NGO sector, marked by significant reductions in government funding, prompting organizations to develop innovative, self-sustaining revenue streams. This particular acquisition presents an exciting opportunity to engage in an urgent, creative, and high-risk/high-reward strategic financial role. Moreover, PATH’s decision to incubate this startup signifies an innovative approach that may reshape how nonprofit organizations approach sustainability.
What are your goals for this summer ?
HBS marked my first experience living in America. My prior understanding of life in the U.S. had been shaped by sitcoms, books, and numerous case studies explored in class. This summer provided an exciting continuation of my "Coming to America" story by offering the opportunity to engage professionally in the United States for the first time. One of my primary goals for this summer is to deeply understand what it means to work strategically in the nonprofit sector and how technology-enabled solutions can scale and positively impact people's lives. Specifically, I aim to build my investor lens and further develop my finance skills through hands-on experience in due diligence and financial modeling.
Additionally, I am focused on expanding my knowledge and network within the impact investing community, connecting with classmates, professionals, founders, and investors who share my passion for leveraging technology to drive meaningful social impact.
This internship presents an opportunity to explore a new industry, step out of my comfort zone, and embrace new unknowns, in an ever-changing business environment.
How has your MBA skillset prepared you to be successful in this role?
The most critical skills I developed in my first year at HBS was applying sound judgment and critically evaluating assumptions and data. Given that my current role involves navigating an acquisition deal requiring both analytical rigor and the capacity to ask direct questions, the case method has been particularly valuable in sharpening my evaluation and critical-thinking skills. It has also enabled me to assess business models thoroughly, understanding their competitive advantages and limitations. I've actively applied the quantitative analytical skills gained in courses like Finance and The Entrepreneurial Manager (TEM) to analyze the acquiring company. Additionally, my skills from the Data Science and Analytics (DSAIL) course, including proficiency with tools like ChatGPT and Julius AI, have significantly aided my ability to brainstorm, critique ideas, and address my own knowledge gaps.
How has the summer influenced your thinking on future involvement in social enterprise?
I have always been driven by social impact. This internship has reinforced my conviction that the social enterprise space is ripe with innovative and impactful initiatives. PATH’s decision to acquire and incubate a startup exemplifies the type of bold and unconventional approaches I aspire to support. In the short term, I see myself continuing to engage strategically or financially in impact-driven organizations with a call to action. In the long-term, my goal is to lead a technology-focused or social enterprise dedicated to improving and saving lives.
How can someone learn more about your organization?
You can learn more about PATH’s projects and research by visiting their website or by following them on LinkedIn.
