“What is an MBA?”
“How different is an MBA from a regular Master’s Degree?“
“Why should I get an MBA?”
“Of what value will an MBA be to me, considering I already hold a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship?“
“How important is the rank of a school with reference to where you attain your MBA?”
“Is an MBA valuable for entrepreneurs?“
These are just a few questions I had for myself — and by extension, admissions officers — as I toured MBA programs around the U.S. in 2023.
Towards the end of 2023, I knew I had hit my glass ceiling with the United Nations as a young African professional.
I was clear that I did not want to work as an analyst for the next 10 (or so) years of my career — I wanted a management role. The Universe was challenging me (and aligning my steps) to grow. I was uncertain about what my next would be — scared, as a matter of fact — but I kept an open heart to all the possibilities.
From East Lansing, with Love.
1 and a half years later, I have completed the first year of my MBA, and I (still pinch myself when I say this) am joining Xbox as a Business Development Manager. Like… not only am I pivoting to private sector: I get to do it with the Microsoft!
The process of getting into the MBA was as much of a lesson as is undertaking the MBA itself. I had support — so much support. I engaged with THE BEST admissions officers, and attended one too many Diversity Preview Days (deeply grateful).
The Michigan State University stole my heart at first encounter — and still holds it to this day. I recall sitting with my daddy in our living room in Mangochi (June, 2024), telling him that I had made up my mind: I will be pursuing the MBA.
I’ve conquered what I consider SO MANY uncharted waters. Often alone. Often without guidance. I like to think it renders me fearless, now. I’ve been through some 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵s, and I have survived. It is part of why I write—why I opt to remain visible, because I know a just slightly younger me would have loved to see it. I hope you love to see it.
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Happy New Month, and wishing you a Fabulous May ahead!
With all my love and respect,
1 Year into the MBA: Was it Worth it?
If you’re new to this blog, welcome. The By Ntha blog has existed since 2013 (my undergrad days), and it remains my favourite way to express and curate my experiences.
If you’ve been here a while, you know my journey over the past decade has zigzagged across public service, entrepreneurship, and now corporate innovation.
A year ago, I stepped into the MBA with curiosity — not quite sure what to expect. I knew I wanted to grow as a leader, but I wasn’t fully sure what business school would teach me that my prior degrees or experiences hadn’t already.
Now, a year in, I can confidently say: an MBA is not just about technical skills or business frameworks. For me, it has been about intellectual clarity, personal expansion, and learning how to lead in systems far bigger than myself.
It’s helped me distill ambition into strategy — and vision into action.
Personal Development: Leadership, Belonging, and Anchoring in New Spaces
At the start of this year, the entire 2026 Broad MBA class took the DISC Personality Assessment. I was to eventually find out that I was one of two natural Ds, in the entire cohort.
I have come to learn that being a “D” (Dominant) doesn’t mean I always have to lead the room with force — sometimes, it means holding space.
Read More:
In this piece, I reflect on receiving the 2025 Leadership Award, and what it taught me about evolving, showing up, and belonging in a system I once felt unsure in.
Professional Growth: What Defines a Corporation
This month, I was honored to also be nominated as one of the Most Inspiring Corporate Leader(s) by the Consumer Choice Awards in Malawi.
These recognitions, though wonderful, make me pause. Throughout my career, I’ve been asked, “Are you a nonprofit founder or a corporate leader?”
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In this piece, I explore the question deeply, and offer clarity around how we define corporations — and ourselves within them.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Birthing Kwathu Konnect
While the MBA has shaped my thinking, my entrepreneurial spirit continues to guide it.
As I wrapped up my first semester as a Teaching Assistant with the College of Engineering, I formally unveiled the Kwathu Konnect vision — the student (knowledge) exchange programme the Ntha Foundation is building, in collaboration with the Michigan State University.
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This post is about possibility — and what happens when you dream for a continent, not just a company.
Lifestyle: Why I Love the Broad College of Business
Amid the rigor of the MBA, there have been moments of joy, reflection, and awe.
The Broad MBA gave me more than business knowledge — it gave me a space to teach, learn, and grow across cultures and disciplines.
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In this post, I reflect on a year of teaching experiences, creative expression, and the beauty of the Minskoff Pavilion — the heart of it all.
📸: P.S. I deeply enjoyed shooting my 2025 branding photos with fellow Spartan: Dania Laird.
Check out her work, and find out in a few frames of why I love the Eli Broad College of Business.
Featured: A Different Kind of Classroom (S/O to Team 5!)
One of the most transformative aspects of my MBA journey has been the team-based learning environment.
This semester, working with Team Five has been a revelation. Unlike my first semester with a different group — and unlike my earlier entrepreneurial days, where it was often my way or the highway — this experience has taught me the value of collaboration and adaptability.
Through countless projects and discussions, I’ve learned to listen more deeply, accommodate diverse viewpoints, and find strength in collective creativity.
Our latest project, a video production ad for a fine dining restaurant, was a highlight. Not only did we produce a stellar piece, but the process itself was a masterclass in creative synergy and mutual respect.
I’m grateful for the growth that comes from stepping into a different kind of classroom — one where leadership is about lifting others and learning from them too.
Up Next: Preparing for Microsoft — and the Next Chapter
As I close out the first year of my MBA, I prepare to begin my internship at Microsoft Xbox as a Business Development Manager. I will be working with the ‘Independent Developers team’, and I am deeply grateful — and even more curious.
What does it mean to build systems at scale? What happens when vision meets infrastructure?
My next chapter begins in a week, and as always, though I only mail you once a month, I publish quite often, and you can always check in, should you miss me too much. Come along.
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May’s edition will be all about embracing the transition season — embarking on a new chapter as I begin my Microsoft journey. I can’t wait to share these reflections with you.
Spotlight: Thank You, Broad!
April marked a powerful milestone in my MBA journey: I was honored with the 2025 Leadership Award by the Broad College of Business.
It was a recognition I didn’t expect — but deeply appreciate. It affirmed the growth I’ve undergone over the past year, both personally and professionally. From navigating team dynamics to learning how to lead with empathy, this award was more than just about what I’ve done — it is about who I’m becoming.
The award was presented during the MBA Unity Celebration, a beautiful evening where we paused to reflect, celebrate, and uplift one another. I walked away feeling seen — not just as a student, but as a leader.
To the Broad Class of 2025 — our big siblings in this journey:
Congratulations on your graduation! You’ve held space, shared wisdom, and reminded us that community is what makes this experience matter. Thank you for walking beside us. We’ll carry what you’ve passed on — and build on it.
To the Broad Class of 2026 — my cohort:
What a year. We’ve navigated stretch assignments, team tensions, wins, losses, and all the in-betweens. I’m so proud of us. Thank you for being my mirror, my challenge, and my reminder that leadership is learned in the doing. We’ve got one more year to shape — let’s make it count.
To the incoming Broad Class of 2027 — welcome:
This is your beginning. Lean in fully. Ask questions. Be bold. Be kind. This program will give you tools, but it’s your mindset and heart that will define your MBA experience. We’re already cheering you on!
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