2025 Best & Brightest Business Major: Saanvi Sood
“Ask me how I survived college and I’ll give you two words: (whispers) Coke Zero.”
Fun fact: Two US Senators once helped me find my sunglasses
Hometown: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Major: Business Administration; Joint Major: Quantitative Sciences
Favorite Business Course: Marketing Consulting Practicum
Extracurriculars:
- Emory Impact Investing Group, Chief Executive Officer
- Emory Data Science Club, President
- Goizueta Career Management Center, Co-Lead Coach
- QTM Council of Alumni Steering Committee, Member
- MKT 442: Marketing Consulting Practicum, Head TA
- ACT 438: Corporate Political Strategy, TA
- BUS 365: Business Communications, TA
- Emory Consult Your Community, Senior Advisor
- Goizueta Intro to Consulting Winter Series, Co-Founder
Honors & Awards:
- 3rd Place World Case Champion’s Trophy
- 1st Place USC Marshall International Case Competition
- John Robson Program Fellow
- Business & Society Institute Fellow
- Emory University 100 Senior Honorary
- Goizueta Dean’s List
- Goizueta Dean’s Scholarship
Where have you interned during your college career?
- Boston Consulting Group, Summer Associate (Atlanta)
- Deloitte, Sophomore Consulting Intern (Atlanta)
- HourWork, Lead Business Analyst Intern (Boston)
Where will you be working after graduation?
I am excited to be returning to the Boston Consulting Group in Atlanta as an Associate.
Who is your favorite business professor at Goizueta Business School?
Professor Jeffrey Rosensweig is dedicated to advancing the intersection of business and government, while keeping student mentorship at the heart of his work. Passionate about shaping the leaders of tomorrow, he is not only an invaluable guide, but also a lifelong advocate, role model, and friend. Just this past year, he supported a team of myself and three other Goizueta students to compete in the World Case Champion’s Trophy in New Zealand, giving us the opportunity to represent Goizueta on a global stage and create our most memorable college experience. Despite his vast network of esteemed economic and political leaders, he will always make time for his students.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business?
Studying business has shown me the power of perspective. There are countless lenses—financial, marketing, operational, social impact, analytical, etc.—through which problems can be understood and solved. What sets an exceptional business leader apart is their ability to integrate and empower these diverse perspectives in decision-making.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field?
There is a world beyond consulting and investment banking! Even if you are pursuing a career in those areas, make sure to take courses in other disciplines at your business school to develop a more holistic toolkit.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why?
Looking back, I would have loved to leverage Goizueta’s incredible study abroad program. Traveling for two international case competitions allowed me to engage with students from all around the world, and those interactions were incredibly enriching. The opportunity to fully immerse myself in a new culture—both personally and academically—would have been an exciting and valuable experience.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI?
Goizueta has fully embraced AI, integrating it into its curriculum to prepare students for an evolving technological landscape. For instance, in my Tech Toolbox course, we explored how to leverage Generative AI effectively and ethically, gaining hands-on experience with its real-world applications. With AI advancing at an unprecedented pace, equipping students with these skills is essential.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of?
Serving as the CEO of the Emory Impact Investing Group, a microfinancing organization supporting small businesses in historically underserved Atlanta communities, has been the greatest honor of my college career. During my tenure, I led a fundraising campaign to expand our fund and amplify our impact. Through outreach to over 500 contacts and the support of the Goizueta community, we grew our fund from $200K to $360K—ensuring the club’s ability to provide low-interest loans in perpetuity.
Which classmate do you most admire?
Camila Gedanken is someone I deeply admire for her resilience, leadership, and unwavering support for those around her. She took a bold leap to pursue her education abroad, making her the first in her family to do so. At Emory, she demonstrated her commitment to social impact by revitalizing the Emory Impact Investing Group after COVID, strengthening support for local microbusinesses. Crossing the extensive barriers set in the job market for international students, she received an offer from one of the top consulting firms in the world. Beyond her remarkable achievements, Camila is a compassionate presence who has invaluably supported me and countless others, leaving a lasting mark on every community she touches.
Who would you most want to thank for your success?
My parents have not only been my biggest cheerleaders during times of success, but also my biggest supporters in times of countless setbacks. It’s in those moments of failure that their encouragement shaped me the most, turning challenges into stepping stones rather than roadblocks. They have showed up in every way possible—sitting through six-hour track meets, listening patiently to my worries about consulting recruiting, timing my practice SAT exams, and much more. Their presence, in both the exciting moments and the seemingly small ones, has led me to be where I am now.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1) Start a fund that empowers entrepreneurs to bring accessible and impactful technologies to historically underserved communities, in honor of my grandfather.
2) Support the organizations and communities at Emory that played an integral part in my college journey.
First published in Poets&Quants.
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