Leading with intent and learning with purpose

Leadership forged in the military doesn’t fade when the uniform comes off — it evolves. This Veterans Day, we celebrate service members who continue to serve through leadership, collaboration and impact in business. Their experiences reflect how they strengthen the Kellogg community and help define what leadership looks like in a changing world. 

Hear from current veteran MBA students on how the principles that shaped their service now guide their MBA journey and how the school’s curriculum is pushing their growth.  

Ciara Alison ’26 JD-MBA Program believes leadership begins with awareness. Her military service taught her to adapt, stay grounded and grow through challenge — principles that now guide her Kellogg experience. 

“‘Grow where you are planted.’ So often we have an idealized vision of where we ought to be and what we ought to do, and this mindset can be limiting. This quote reminds me to seize opportunities, even when I am not excited about them. Kellogg challenges students to embrace discomfort. By growing where you are planted, you simultaneously nurture the environment around you, which ultimately enriches you and contributes to your becoming. 

“‘Don’t operate inside of a vacuum.’ When you work at the staff level, your decisions impact tens of thousands of people. Decisions you make have tangible implications and outcomes. You must evaluate not only the immediate outcomes of your decisions but also consider their second and third-order effects — and be prepared to justify your choices. You must understand your stakeholders’ needs while avoiding decision paralysis. This translates well into business school because it serves as a reminder not to be shortsighted and to navigate interpersonal and professional relationships with care. 

Gabby Fong ’26 Two-Year MBA Program knows that decisive action drives progress — a principle she now applies to all facets of life. 

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned in the military is that an 80% decision now is better than the 100% solution a month from now. This mindset — which favors timely, informed action over perfect information — has translated well into my business education. This principle applies the same in business as it did in the military.  

“It’s easy to get caught in analysis paralysis, especially when surrounded by data and diverse perspectives. I’ve learned that progress often comes from making a well-reasoned decision and adjusting as new information emerges. The military trained me to act decisively under uncertainty, and I’ve found that same bias toward action essential in my pursuit of growth as a teammate, leader and entrepreneur at Kellogg.” 

As Sean Roberts ’26 Two-Year MBA Program transitions into civilian life with an MBA, he sees Kellogg as the ideal training ground to bridge theory and practice. Through hands-on learning opportunities, Roberts is building business skills to tackle complex business challenges with confidence. 

“The MBA program’s experiential learning labs and leadership seminars have meaningfully advanced my professional growth. Collaborating with classmates on a real-world client project in the Analytical Consulting Lab exposed me to data analytics and strategic business management concepts in ways that most military environments or traditional classroom settings could not. The Managing Firms for Shareholders and Society: Thought Leadership Seminar challenged me to examine the broader impact of corporations beyond financial performance.  

“Through these roundtable discussions, I have been able to explore complex issues such as corporate purpose, ethical leadership and economic inequality in an environment that embraces diverse perspectives and encourages open dialogue. The opportunity to participate in these ‘unconventional’ experiences that bridge academic learning with practical application captures what makes Kellogg such a unique place to develop as a collaborative problem-solver and purpose-driven leader.” 

Corey Russell ’26 Two-Year MBA Program understands that leadership is built on trust. His time in the U.S. Army Special Forces showed him that respect is earned through action, consistency and integrity — the same values he brings to Kellogg today. 

“Trust is earned through action, not given because of title or rank. In Special Forces, rank mattered far less than consistency, competence and integrity. I learned this lesson on a deployment to the Middle East after the rapport with our partner force evaporated overnight due to events beyond our control. 

“Rebuilding that trust took more than shouting orders. Listening, empathy and showing up every day, even if it meant being turned away, were essential. This same truth has applied to Kellogg. Here, surrounded by incredibly talented classmates, I have learned that people respond the same way they did in the service. Authenticity, humility and doing what you say you will do go much further than what is on a résumé. The Global Hub is very different from a team room, but the foundations of leadership have not changed.” 

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