The Fuqua Show

Devery Hamilton, Jr. is a student in Fuqua's one-year Accelerated MBA program, but this is not his first degree from the school of business. After playing college football at Stanford and Duke, Devery spent several seasons playing football professionally in the NFL. After injuries led to an early retirement, Devery has returned to Fuqua to pursue a future career in the business of sports and media. Host: Philip Coale More information about applying to Duke's Fuqua School of Business can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admissions. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

In this inspiring episode of The Fuqua Show, host Aaliyah Brown sits down with Lieutenant Commander Whitney Koenigsknecht, a proud Michigan native, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and Supply Corps Officer whose career has been defined by resilience, service, and leadership. Whitney shares her journey from growing up in Grosse Pointe Shores to serving aboard the USS KEARSARGE, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, and USS TRUXTUN, where she managed logistics for complex naval operations across Europe and the Middle East. Through stories of challenge and growth, she reflects on what it means to lead with empathy, maintain composure under pressure, and stay grounded while navigating life at sea as a woman in the military.  Now pursuing her MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business as both a Forté Fellow and an EDGE Impact Scholar, Whitney discusses how her naval experiences have shaped her approach to collaboration, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership. She opens up about balancing her roles as an officer, student, wife, and mother of two, offering honest insights into resilience, identity, and grace in the face of competing priorities. As she prepares to report to the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN following graduation, Whitney leaves listeners with a powerful reminder that true leadership is forged not only through discipline and excellence, but through authenticity, compassion, and the courage to keep showing up.  Host: Aaliyah Brown  Whitney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneymoreykoenigsknecht/   DAFA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuqua_vets/   More information about applying to Duke's Fuqua School of Business can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admissions   Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned. The views expressed on this podcast are my own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the U.S. Government. My comments are based on my personal experiences and perspectives as a Naval Officer and are not intended to represent official guidance or endorsement. Any mistakes are my own.   

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Bianca Valladares, a second-year MBA student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, to explore her journey of identity, resilience, and belonging. As Co-President of the American Latinx Management Association (ALMA) and Development Lead for the Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics (COLE), Bianca has played a vital role in advancing belonging and equity at Fuqua. She discusses her professional journey from international development recruitment to change management consulting at Deloitte, and most recently, product strategy at JPMorgan Chase, where she focused on supporting first-generation affluent customers building generational wealth.   Described as a healing journey, Bianca reflects on what it meant to move more than fifteen times growing up as the American-Panamanian daughter of a U.S. Army Colonel and a Spanish teacher- and how she ultimately found her safe space within the military’s diverse and supportive community. She shares how her upbringing and lived experiences have shaped her perspective on creating spaces where others feel seen and valued, both at Fuqua and beyond.  Host: Aaliyah Brown  Bianca's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancavall/   ALMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Falma_dukefuqua%2F%3Fhl%3Den&is_from_rle   More information about applying to Duke's Fuqua School of Business can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admissions   Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.   

Dr. Erica Marshburn is an emergency medicine physician and a second year in the Daytime MBA program at Duke's Fuqua School of Business. In this episode, she shares her journey as a first-generation college graduate who trained to save lives in the ER (and elsewhere!). She shares with the audience why she returned to business school and how she wants to use her MBA to change the healthcare system for the better.  Guest: Erica Marshburn Host: Philip Coale More information about applying to Duke's Fuqua School of Business can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admissions. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Born and raised on a crop and cattle farm in North Carolina, Belton is a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe. After an early career in state government and non-profits, Belton is in the final year of a dual Master of Public Policy and Master of Business Administration program at Duke University. In this episode, Belton reflects on the professional journey that has taken him from tobacco fields in Robeson County to the Governor's office in Raleigh.  More information about applying to Duke's Fuqua School of Business can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admissions. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

In this heartfelt episode of The Fuqua Show, host Abimbola sits down with Chizoma Ekechukwu - a second-year MBA student whose strength, warmth, and leadership have touched every corner of the Fuqua community. She's Co-President of the Black Business Student Association, a Career and Admissions Fellow, and a trusted mentor. But beyond the titles, Chizoma carries a story that changed everything. While navigating the challenges of business school, Chizoma was diagnosed with cancer. What followed wasn’t a pause - it was a deep dive into healing, faith, and connection. In this conversation, she opens up about how she made sense of the diagnosis, found comfort in community, and redefined what success really means. This episode isn’t just about overcoming - it’s about becoming. Becoming someone who leads with empathy, who embraces vulnerability, and who finds light, even when the path is uncertain.  Episode Producer: Sushma Maramreddy /  Abimbola Olurotimi  Host: Abimbola Olurotimi Editor: Sushma Maramreddy  Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned. 

How did a law graduate end up running one of the most elite athletic programs in the country? Nina King made history as Duke’s first female Vice President and Director of Athletics—and only the third Black woman ever to lead a Power Five athletic department.  From law school to locker rooms, she’s risen to now overseeing 27 varsity teams, teaching at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, and raising two boys—Nina is redefining what leadership looks like in a male-dominated arena. And she’s earned every accolade: Forty Under 40, Leaders Under 40, Adidas’ “Next Up”—just to name a few. In this episode (Recorded in March, for Women's History month), we unpack how Nina’s rewriting the playbook for women in sports—and what it takes to win at the highest level. Episode Producers: Sushma Maramreddy Host: Morgan Leeson Editor: Sushma Maramreddy  Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned. 

Mitchell Woodruff (Class of 2024) grew up in the small town of Crestwood, Kentucky. After earning a degree in psychology from Xavier University, Mitchell pursued nursing at Bellarmine University and worked as a pediatric ICU travel nurse across the U.S. and abroad. He spent time providing care on a ship off the coast of Africa, helping children with cleft lip and palate repairs, and eventually decided to switch careers, enrolling in the Duke MBA program. Now, Mitchell is preparing for a move to the Bay Area and a new role as a consultant. In this episode, Mitchell shares his journey from small-town Kentucky to global healthcare service and his decision to leave nursing for business. He talks about the emotional challenges of ICU nursing, volunteering in underserved areas, and the process of finding a new purpose through his MBA experience. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the views of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Dr. Ronnie Chatterji returned to Fuqua in 2023, after serving in the White House as implementation lead for the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act. He thrives at the intersection of academia, public policy, and business, working as a professor and researcher at Fuqua for the past 18 years. He has co-authored 2 books, published over 30 peer-reviewed articles, and written op-eds in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. Ronnie has also worked in President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers and he ran for State Treasurer of North Carolina in the 2020 election. We often hear Ronnie talk about business and policy issues. But we've never heard the behind the scenes of his unique career and life...until now. It’s a longer episode, but it's packed with rich stories, valuable insights, and practical advice. Listen to the end to learn how Ronnie has made a difference and how you can too. Episode Producers: Thomas Cheng and Jenna Houchins Host: Thomas Cheng Editor: Jenna Houchins Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Dr. Veronica Valencia Victoria (Class of 2024) is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and could also be considered a doctor of reinventing herself. Originally from a small town in Colombia, she moved to the U.S. when she was 12 years old, ultimately becoming the valedictorian of her high school. Inspired by her family, she became a physical therapist and supported patients over 4 years. After the loss of a friend and fellow healthcare worker during the pandemic, Veronica was driven to start a scholarship in his name and pursue an MBA to expand her impact in the health sector. After graduation, she will work in consulting at Deloitte. In this episode, Veronica shares how her family has shaped her and helped her build a resilient mindset, allowing her to take risks, pursue new opportunities, and do things she once thought were impossible. SCHOLARSHIP LINK: https://giving.usf.edu/how/herdfunder/miguel-martinez-jr-memorial-scholarship Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Kandasi Griffiths (Class of 2024) had a goal to see the world. And after living in 17 different places, she is certainly on her way! After college, she taught English in Paris, organized conferences in the UK, and learned jewelry making in Italy, before pivoting to international development. She worked in Afghanistan, Jordan, Tanzania, Guinea, Benin, and Togo, learning about global health and seeing how she could best contribute to community development. Kandasi then founded a social enterprise called SR Collaborative (srcollaborative.com), focused on helping women of color change agents and their ventures thrive. She came to Fuqua to pivot to impact investing, which she will pursue at Social Finance after graduation. In this episode, Kandasi shares her fascinating stories and the lessons she's learned, about the world and about herself. Episode Editor: Jenna Houchins (MBA/MPP '24) Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Annie Forrest (Class of 2024) grew up in a small Appalachian town called Richlands, Virginia, where her family has lived for eight generations. She left home for the University of Virginia, where she became an advocate for sexual assault and relationship abuse prevention. She then moved to New York City to continue this work full time at the One Love Foundation. And after nine years away, she came back to Richlands and became inspired to work on uplifting rural communities. In this episode, Annie tells her inspiring journey of leaving and ultimately returning home. She also shares about the Appalachian region, tips for healthier relationships, and reflections on her nontraditional MBA path. Content Note: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault and relationship abuse. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Dr. John de Figueiredo (Faculty Director, Duke Center for Institutional and Organizational Performance) has taught strategy, law, and economics at Duke for more than 14 years and received 8 teaching awards. However, when trying to start his career in academia, he was rejected from every PhD program he applied for, all because someone lost his GRE answer sheet! In this episode, John discusses how rejections, constant setbacks, and serendipity have led him to new opportunities, such as becoming a consultant in Europe and working for the famous Michael Porter (creator of "Porter's Five Forces"). He also shares his insights on how firms should manage strategy implementation, how he trains students for the "real world", and how MBA graduates can be successful in both work and in life. This episode features questions submitted by David Shang (’24), Robertino Tucci (’24), and Rosa Mecklemberg (’24). Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Queen Nwokonneya (Class of 2024) has big ambitions to improve people's lives in emerging markets. Originally from Abuja, Nigeria, she discovered a passion for international and economic development, which brought her to the UK for school and back to Africa for work. Through her pre-MBA career, Queen advised the Lagos government on urban renewal policy, worked with her hometown community to plant 5,000 trees, helped vaccinate over 100,000 children, and more. In this episode, Queen shares many of her lessons learned - about leadership, relationship building, and developing both solutions and systems for long-term change. Episode Editor: Jenna Houchins (MBA/MPP '24) Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Erin Worsham spends her days helping people create positive impact in the world. She has been at Duke for a total of 19 years, first as an undergrad music major and now as the leader of Fuqua's Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE), Erin has developed a rich understanding of social impact, from her time as a Stanford MBA student to her jobs at the World Bank, USAID, Booz Allen Hamilton, and now Fuqua. In this episode, Erin shares experiences and advice on being a "nontraditional" MBA student, challenging yourself, staying humble, building “tri-sector leadership" (private, public, nonprofit sectors), pursuing a career of significance, and more. She encourages all of us to use our personal and professional passions to better the world and empower others to do the same. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Happy (?) Tax Day! To celebrate, we're bringing you a special episode with our professor and resident tax guru Scott Dyreng - featuring advice on taxes, life, and everything in between. Scott Dyreng grew up on a turkey farm in rural Utah and made his way to writing op-eds for the Wall Street Journal. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Scott has seen the world (Chile, UK), started a family (with six children), built a blueberry farm, and taken several detours before ending up at Duke. In this episode, he shares his journey, with insights on faith, finding your values, and forging a home wherever you are. Scott also shares hilarious tax stories (seriously) and concrete tax tips for students - so make sure to listen until the end! Check out his podcast "Tax Chats" for more tax lessons and laughs: https://taxchats.org/ Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Kanchan Nebhwani (Class of 2024) comes from an Indian family, but grew up in South America and the Caribbean. She learned about entrepreneurship from her family's furniture business and she eventually came to the U.S. to become a founder herself. Kanchan and her brother co-founded Drūmi, a premium mattress company with a mission to protect coral reefs and clean up the oceans they grew up swimming in. In this episode, Kanchan shares how she forged her own path, defined her own labels, and stayed positive through professional and personal challenges. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Kelsey Worsham and Rhea Philip (Class of 2025) join us for this episode in honor of Women’s History Month. The newly elected co-presidents of the Association of Women in Business (AWIB), Kelsey and Rhea share a passion for female empowerment and supporting other women, as well as pride in being a successful woman in business themselves. In this episode, we discuss a range of topics, including advocating for yourself and others, the female tech industry, navigating sexism in the workplace, allyship, and, of course, the famous "Barbie" monologue. It's an episode full of insight and inspiration for people of all genders who care about advancing women in business. Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Louis Wu (Class of 2024) left China at the age of four with his mom to pursue the American dream without speaking a word of English and with no support system. Lost in the hustle and bustle of New York, Louis found comfort in books, becoming a lifelong learner. Always putting others first, he  often put his life on 'hold' to help the people he loved. Later in life, Louis broke free from conventional expectations of an immigrant child to pursue his passion for education, despite a natural talent for finance. In this episode, Louis shares invaluable life lessons about resilience, service, and his desire to use the MBA to amplify the impact he will make.  Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.

Steve Misuraca (MBA '09) has served the Fuqua community for nearly 17 years. His MBA experience was likely similar to yours - living in Station Nine, overcommitting, early rejections, pivoting his career path, and questioning what he wanted to do with his life. Since 2009, Steve has worked on staff and has supported over 5,000 students, through roles in Admissions and Student Life. In this episode, Steve reflects on his journey, his values, and his lessons from being a student, leader, husband, and father at Fuqua. Steve: "What is the purpose of life? To find your gift. But what makes life really meaningful? It's to give it away. If you can find a way to give your gift away to others, it will bring you intense joy and happiness." Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.