African American Student Union Spotlight on Emerging Markets – MBA

The HBS African American Student Union (AASU) aims to create a close-knit community for its members from the time they choose to join HBS, through their transition to the second year, and beyond graduation. In this feature, we highlight the experience Amanda Rothamel (MBA 2025), and learn more about her journey before and during the MBA program. Where is your hometown? My hometown is Darmstadt, Germany. What was your pre-MBA industry and role? I began my career concentrating on developing and expanding e-commerce businesses across Europe and Africa. More recently, I served as a Junior Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company. There, I collaborated with both private and public sector clients across various industries in Africa, focusing on speeding up private sector growth and thereby contributing to the wider economic development of the region. What has been the highlight of your HBS experience thus far? The highlight of my HBS experience has been the privilege of engaging with a diverse group of individuals, each bringing their unique perspectives shaped by varied academic, professional, and personal backgrounds. The classroom environment at HBS creates a safe space for open dialogue, allowing us to delve into and learn from each other’s viewpoints on...