CEI Fellow Spotlight: Kenna Temesgen 26MBA
Kenna Temesgen 26MBA came to Goizueta Business School with a background in consulting and a growing interest in entrepreneurship, private equity, and innovation. As a One-Year MBA student and CEI Fellow, she immersed herself in Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while building a strong foundation in finance and strategy. In this Q&A, Kenna reflects on her journey from Deloitte to Goizueta, her hands-on experiences with the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and how she explored entrepreneurship through acquisition during her MBA.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to pursue Goizueta’s One-Year MBA program?
Before coming to Goizueta Business School, I spent nearly seven years at Deloitte, where I advised Fortune 500 companies on technology transformation and broader business strategy. I had the opportunity to work across different parts of the firm, starting in a technology-focused role before transitioning into strategy consulting, where I worked closely with clients to solve their complex challenges and articulate the ROI of our recommendations and strategic initiatives.
While I genuinely enjoyed the work, those client engagements made one thing clear to me. I wanted to deepen my business foundation, especially in finance, to better complement my experience. I also knew I wanted to explore startups, private equity, and entrepreneurship through acquisition, particularly within Atlanta’s growing ecosystem. At the same time, I was looking for an environment that would push me to grow as a leader.
Goizueta’s One-Year MBA was the perfect fit. Because I wasn’t looking to make a complete career pivot, the accelerated format allowed me to minimize opportunity cost while still gaining the academic foundation, network, and leadership development I was looking for.
What unique aspects of Goizueta’s culture, curriculum, or community made it stand out from other business schools you considered?
What stood out most about Goizueta was how intentional the experience felt, both in structure and in community. The One-Year format was a major factor for me because it allowed me to stay focused on my goals without stepping away from the workforce for too long.
Just as important was the small and close-knit community. I was looking for a program where I could build meaningful relationships with classmates, faculty, staff, and alumni. I first experienced this during Inside Goizueta, a diversity weekend where I connected with current students who were incredibly open and invested in helping me navigate the process. Those relationships extended well beyond that weekend, and I was able to build genuine connections before even setting foot on campus. That confirmed for me that the quality of relationships I would build at Goizueta will truly outweigh the quantity at other larger programs.
How did you hear about the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI)?
I first learned about The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation through conversations with then current students after attending Inside Goizueta. One student I connected with was a CEI Fellow, and they walked me through how the program supports students across different entrepreneurial paths: whether as founders, those interested in venture capital, or those focused on innovation within organizations.
Given my interest in entrepreneurship more broadly, I was immediately drawn to the breadth of opportunities CEI offered and how deeply connected it is to the Atlanta startup and investment community.
How were you involved in the CEI as a One-Year MBA student?
My involvement with CEI became one of the most meaningful parts of my MBA experience. As a CEI Fellow, I had the opportunity to engage with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in a very hands-on way.
I attended major conferences such as Venture Atlanta, where I connected with founders, venture capitalists, and operators across the startup ecosystem. I also participated in Atlanta Tech Village pitch practice sessions and the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst accelerator program, which gave me exposure to early-stage companies and the opportunity to support founders as they refined their ideas.
On campus, I was part of the team that organized Pitch the Summit, one of CEI’s flagship events. The Summit brought together experienced founders, alumni entrepreneurs, investors, and student founders to share ideas and pitch their ventures. As a fellow, I helped coordinate the event and evaluate ventures leading up to the final pitches. This experience was meaningful in that it allowed me to contribute to a platform that supports student innovation across the entire Emory ecosystem.
In addition, CEI sponsored me to attend two national entrepreneurship-through-acquisition conferences, including events hosted by Harvard and Kellogg. These experiences expanded my network beyond Atlanta and gave me direct exposure to the ETA community.
How did your interest in entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) take shape during your MBA experience?
When I came to Goizueta, I was particularly interested in ETA and wanted to build both my knowledge and my network in that space. Through the support of the CEI and the Entrepreneurial Private Equity course (EPE), I was able to pursue that interest in a very practical way. I served as a teaching assistant for the EPE course, which gave me direct exposure to the ETA model and the opportunity to engage closely with experienced private equity professionals. In parallel, I secured an in-semester internship with a Goizueta alum, where I was able to apply what I was learning in real time and gain hands-on experience evaluating and supporting acquisition opportunities.
Between the classroom, that internship experience, conferences, and ongoing conversations with practitioners, I was able to build a strong foundation in ETA while also developing meaningful relationships in the space.
What advice would you give to incoming students in your program?
My biggest advice is to fully immerse yourself in the experience. There are so many opportunities at Goizueta, and it is easy to underestimate how quickly the year goes by.
I often say, “You only MBA once,” and that mindset has shaped how I approached the program. Whether it is building relationships with classmates, connecting with alumni, or taking advantage of resources like CEI, being intentional with your time makes a big difference.
It can be tempting, especially for those who are local to Atlanta, to stay within your existing routines. I would encourage you to lean into the newness of the experience. Embrace the challenges, the long nights, and the moments that push you outside your comfort zone.
Being present and engaged will help you get the most out of your MBA and build relationships that last well beyond your time here. After all, “the days are long, but the year is short” as our dean Brian Mitchell always says.
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