Donor & Recipient Stories
Brandi Ray
Saying that Brandi Ray, recipient of a Consortium Fellowship, is "involved" at Goizueta is an understatement. She takes to heart the meaning of leadership and giving back to her community. Her passion for Goizueta is demonstrated through numerous activities in which she has made a difference for her community and for Goizueta. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, we help to fund fellowships and scholarships for the best and brightest students - students like Brandi Ray.
After completing her undergraduate degree in business at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, interning at Equifax and spending a few years as a media buyer for an advertising agency, Brandi was ready to take her marketing career to the next level. An Atlanta native, Brandi applied to Goizueta through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, the country’s preeminent organization for promoting diversity and inclusion in American business. Goizueta is a member of an elite group of schools that offer such fellowships to outstanding African-American, Native-American, and Hispanic students. Only the highest achieving students who also gain admission to their intended institution receive this prestigious fellowship. "I am truly honored by this fellowship and I consider it a big responsibility. I am where I am today because of programs like the Consortium that believe in me."
Brandi has certainly made a big impact at Goizueta. In the second-year of her MBA, Brandi is the Chairperson of the Inside Goizueta Diversity Conference, a three-day, interactive conference for prospective students. Having experienced the Inside Goizueta conference as a prospective student herself, Brandi was immediately impressed by the talent of the students and how such an amazing student-run event came together. She is excited about the opportunity to have the same impact on future students as it had for her.
As the vice president of community outreach for the Black MBA Association, Brandi also takes great pride in giving back to the community and getting others involved in outreach efforts. "It makes you feel so good to give back. Working within the community, mentoring others…it is all so important and I want to encourage others to do the same." Brandi recounts helping to raise over $2,200 for the New Orleans school system affected by hurricane Katrina during a recent Black MBA conference and also a recent Habitat for Humanity project.
Brandi also works as a Teaching Assistant for the Organization & Strategy first-year class and as co-chair for the graduation committee. Following graduation she will head to Texas where her 2009 summer internship at Frito-Lay landed her a full-time job offer in brand management.
Brandi reiterates the great responsibility that comes with an award like the Consortium Fellowship and she looks forward to giving back to Goizueta in the years ahead. She encourages you to give to Goizueta and to consider it an investment, not just for the future of Goizueta, but for the future of business. "No amount is too little. Giving back really does make a big impact. It helps us as students reach our goals and then we can pay it forward to others. By giving to Goizueta you are investing in talent and making society better."
The Business Fund for Excellence, Goizueta’s Annual Fund helps support scholarship awards for our many exceptionally talented students. Contact us today or make a donation online.