Shining Light on the African American MBA Association at Booth with Dena Bashri

Dena grew up in a close-knit Sudanese American family that placed a strong emphasis on social responsibility, community, and staying curious about the world. That perspective shaped a lot of Dena’s early decisions, including attending William & Mary for undergrad, spending time abroad in Jordan, Oman, and Switzerland during her studies, and applying for a Fulbright Research Grant. These experiences pushed her to think more globally and helped her to see how culture, capital, and opportunity intersect.

After graduating from William & Mary, Dena joined CCS Fundraising, where she worked in nonprofit consulting and helped mission driven organizations raise and deploy capital. Dena loved relationship building and strategy work that came with her role, but she found herself increasingly drawn to the financial side of decision making. Dena wanted to be closer to the capital allocation process and the transactions shaping growth, which led her to pivot toward investment banking.

For Dena, Chicago Booth felt like the right place to make that transition, with a legacy and track-record of developing the next generation of leaders in finance. Dena was drawn to the analytical rigor, the flexibility in the curriculum, and the collaborative student community. 

At Chicago Booth, I’m pursuing a career in investment banking and came in with the clear goal of making a focused pivot into finance and building the technical and professional foundation to succeed in a fast paced, deal driven environment. Last summer, I interned as a Summer Associate at Moelis in New York, and I’m excited to be returning to the firm full-time after graduation.

A few Booth specific resources were especially helpful along the way. (1) Career Advisors played a big role in shaping my recruiting strategy, helping me refine my story and prepare for interviews. (2) Second Years were incredibly generous with their time, offering guidance, mock interviews, and honest insight into the process. (3) Lastly, Booth alumni were just as impactful through coffee chats and mentorship, giving me a clearer view into the industry and different firm cultures.

The combination of academic rigor and a highly supportive community made what could have been an overwhelming pivot feel much more structured and navigable, which ultimately helped me secure my role at Moelis.

My biggest advice to potential Booth applicants is to be clear and honest about your story and your “why.” Booth really values people who are intentional about how they plan to use the flexibility of the program, so it helps to show that you’ve thought deeply about your goals, what’s shaped your path so far, and why this is the right next step. The strongest applications feel grounded and self-aware, not overly polished.

I’d also emphasize the importance of choosing a school where you feel the strongest cultural fit. You’re not just picking a place to study, you’re choosing a community where you’ll build lifelong friendships, a professional network, and a support system that will stay with you long after graduation. For me, the sense of openness, collaboration, and genuine investment in each other’s success at Booth stood out right away and made the decision feel right.

Serving as Co-Chair of AAMBAA, specifically covering Admissions, has been one of the most meaningful parts of my Booth experience because it sits at the intersection of community building, mentorship, and access. What I appreciate most is the opportunity to help create pathways for prospective students who may not otherwise have direct exposure to MBA programs or the admissions process. In my view, education is one of the strongest proxies for social mobility, and this work is a small but important way to help bridge the gap.

One of the initiatives I’m most proud of is our AAMBAA Buddy Program, which we run in close collaboration with Booth Africa. Since stepping into this role, I have helped match 134 prospective candidates who expressed interest in AAMBAA with current students for one-on-one support. Through mock interviews, resume feedback, and candid conversations, the goal is to make the process feel more transparent, accessible, and less intimidating.

This work is especially meaningful to me because I participated in this exact same Buddy Program when I was applying to Booth. I remember how impactful it was to have current students take the time to answer my questions, share advice, and help me feel like I could see myself here. Being able to now pay that forward and support the next group of applicants feels very full circle and has been one of the most rewarding parts of my experience.

I’m planning to celebrate Black History Month by attending the DuSable Conference, hosted annually by AAMBAA at Chicago Booth. The DuSable Conference is designed to be a hub for Chicago’s Black business ecosystem. It brings together AAMBAA students and alumni, Black business owners, professionals across industries, and members of the University of Chicago’s broader Black community for an evening focused on connection, collaboration, and shared growth. It’s a space to highlight and support Black excellence across sectors while also building relationships that extend beyond campus.

This year’s event will take place on Friday, February 27 from 6 to 10:30 PM CST, and I’m looking forward to being part of an initiative that celebrates community, creates access, and reinforces the importance of uplifting the neighborhoods and networks that surround Booth.

To learn more about AAMBAA, we encourage you to visit their website.

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