The latest edition of Poets&Quants' Best & Brightest MBAs feature shines a spotlight on 100 remarkable graduates from the Class of 2025, underscoring the evolving landscape of business education and leadership. This year's cohort stands out for its diversity, with women comprising 60% of the honorees and 54 students hailing from international backgrounds, reflecting the global nature of today's business environment.
Jeff Schmitt, a senior writer at Poets&Quants, emphasized the entrepreneurial drive and innovative capabilities of this year's selections. Among the notable graduates are Simi Shah from the Wharton School, recognized in Forbes' 2025 '30 Under 30' in Media, and Mark O'Connell from the University of Michigan's Ross School, who played a pivotal role in updating the U.S. Marines combat training curriculum. Amanda Golden's transition from covering presidential elections for NBC News to venture capitalism further illustrates the diverse paths these MBAs are pursuing.
The selection process was rigorous, involving nominations from 82 leading graduate business schools worldwide. Candidates were assessed on their extracurricular engagement, academic and professional milestones, thoughtful responses to queries, and endorsements from faculty. The Boston Consulting Group has emerged as a leading employer among this elite group, hiring eight of the featured MBAs.
This recognition by Poets&Quants not only celebrates individual achievements but also signals broader trends in the business world, including the increasing importance of diversity, innovation, and global perspectives in leadership. For HR vendors and professionals, these insights into the next generation of business leaders offer valuable clues about the skills, backgrounds, and values that will shape the future of the industry.
