MBA Association

LaKendra Harden

President
lkharden@umd.edu

LaKendra Harden is an United States Marine Corps Veteran and Georgia native. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Howard University. She's currently pursuing her Master's in Business Administration (MBA) and certificate in Technology Management. While specializing in finance, she's also passionate about social impact and entreprenuership. She aims to pursue a career that creates impact through innovation and investment. Through her leadership as President of the MBA Association, LaKendra aims to create inclusive and impactful student experiences that strengthens the Smith community.

Fun Fact

I minored in Japanese and aspire to be fluent in 7 languages.

Anuj Yadav

Executive Vice President
anujyadv@umd.edu

Anuj Yadav serves as the Executive Vice President of the MBA Association, where he oversees the smooth operations of all 12 recognized MBA clubs and collaborates with key stakeholders. He is pursuing a dual MBA in Operations Management and Strategy, along with a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management. This combination fuels his innovative approach to problem-solving and leadership.

Prior to joining the MBA program, Anuj spent eight years in fashion retail and e-commerce, which helped him develop strong interpersonal and operational skills. His experiences in fast-paced, customer-focused environments not only enhanced his ability to adapt to rapidly changing markets but also ignited his passion for streamlining processes and delivering excellence in every endeavor.

Looking ahead, Anuj is dedicated to enhancing the overall MBA experience by promoting collaboration, inclusivity, and creative engagement within the community. He plans to launch initiatives that connect diverse ideas and talents, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive both academically and professionally, leaving a lasting impact on the MBA Association and the broader Smith community.

Fun Fact

Anuj knows English, Hindi, and Spanish, a trio that connects him with nearly half the world

Aditya Khare

Vice President of Finance
akhare22@umd.edu

Aditya Khare is a finance professional from Mumbai with over five years of experience in financial planning and analysis across high-growth startups like OYO, Udaan, and ShopUp. His career has focused on using data-driven financial insights to drive strategic decisions and operational efficiency. At Smith, Aditya is pursuing the Finance track and is passionate about blending analytical thinking with collaborative leadership. As a dedicated Arsenal fan and photography enthusiast, he also enjoys capturing moments both on and off the field. Aditya looks forward to bringing the same energy and strategic mindset to supporting inclusive, engaging events for the full-time MBA community.

Mohammed Abdulraheem A. Gorgoush

Vice President of Student Affairs
gorgoush@umd.edu

Mohammed Gorgoush is an MBA candidate with a background in engineering, social impact leadership, and international event management. Originally from Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, Mohammed holds a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Network & Systems Administration and has worked across IT systems, operations, and event logistics in the U.S. and the Middle East. He is also a proud MSW graduate from Washington University in St. Louis, where he led community development initiatives, earned top practicum honors, and contributed to operational and event strategy at the Brown School at WashU.

From a young age, Mohammed has been curious about breaking down complex problems, whether technical or social, to uncover smarter solutions. That mindset, rooted in engineering and sharpened through years in administration, fuels his leadership today as Vice President of Student Affairs. At Smith, he’s focused on amplifying student voices, improving communication between departments, and creating welcoming, high-impact experiences for the full MBA community and beyond. Whether working behind the scenes or speaking on behalf of his peers, Mohammed leads with empathy, systems thinking, and a passion for people.

Fun Fact

They say your true self is revealed at 13,000 feet. Turns out, mine might be part eagle, felt like I belonged to the sky more than the ground when I went skydiving. Still not sure if that was adrenaline or destiny calling!

Aravindh Balachandran

Vice President of International Student Affairs
aravi98@umd.edu

Aravindh Balachandran is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, focusing on AI, marketing, and strategy and operations. Before business school, he spent over four years at KPMG Global Services, where he helped streamline audit processes and integrate data-driven insights into financial reporting. He’s known for his collaborative approach and a strong interest in using technology to solve complex challenges.

Outside of work and academics, Aravindh is an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to basketball. He’s a dedicated Golden State Warriors supporter and enjoys the energy and excitement that sports bring, whether he’s watching a game or connecting with fellow fans. He also actively engages with the international student community and brings a global perspective to his interactions.

Fun Fact

I enjoy playing all kinds of sports because it’s a great way to meet people and stay active.

Jackie Chadzamira

Vice President of People and Culture
jchadzam@umd.edu 

Jacqueline Chadzamira is a second-year MBA student at the University of Maryland, College Park, specializing in Marketing and Strategy. She brings over five years of experience in healthcare administration, most recently serving as a Program Administrator at Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, where she oversaw operations for the ICU, Endocrinology, and Inpatient Hospitalist departments. During her MBA summer, Jacqueline interned at Citi’s New York headquarters, contributing to strategic initiatives within the U.S. Personal Banking division.

Fun Fact

I was born in Zimbabwe

Mehak Kapil

Vice President of Community Development
mkapil@umd.edu

Driven, innovative, and empathetic, Mehak thrives at the intersection of technology, diversity, and creativity. Growing up between India and Nigeria shaped her unique worldview, while her BTech in Computer Science led to a five-year career in technology, where she excelled in process optimization, strategic problem-solving, cross-functional collaboration, and DEI-driven cultural transformation. Outside of work, she channels her love for design and art into creative projects. Now pursuing an MBA in Business Strategy with a Technology Management certification, Mehak is focused on a career in strategy—blending technical expertise, equity advocacy, and leadership into meaningful impact.

Aniketh Metpalli

Vice President of Signature Events
ametpall@umd.edu

Aniketh is a Dual Degree candidate, pursuing an MBA in AI and Business Strategy alongside an MS in Business Analytics at the University of Maryland. With over 9 years of professional experience across diverse job functions, including project management, business development, and software development, he strives to approach every initiative with a balance of structured execution, creative thinking, and a collaborative mindset. Outside of academics, Aniketh enjoys playing cricket and volleyball, not just for the love of the game but for the camaraderie and team spirit that sports naturally foster. He goes all in for the Smith community, creating opportunities that bring people together and designing memorable events that foster meaningful connections.

Aarushi Kapoor

Vice President of Marketing and Social Media
kapoor97@umd.edu

Aarushi Kapoor is an MBA student at the University of Maryland, focusing on AI & Business Strategy. She brings 4 years of experience in data analytics, client strategy, and sales enablement from her roles at GLG and Mercer, with a passion for solving real customer problems using data-backed insights. Beyond work, Aarushi loves exploring new places and capturing candid, everyday moments through her phone camera. For her, travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations, it’s about collecting little stories, street food memories, and sunset pictures from every place she visits

Fun Fact

I have an unofficial tradition of collecting fridge magnets from every city I travel to, and yes, I'm slowly running out of space on my fridge!