Student Experiences
Jennifer Christian-Murtie
Simmons MBA '07 and Certificate Program '08
Through her coursework, Jennifer was inspired to explore entrepreneurship and the process of developing her own business. This was not somewhere she thought an MBA program would lead her, but the entrepreneurship program transformed her career direction and has been a valuable capstone to her MBA degree.
Jennifer was born and raised in Kenya, East Africa and dreams of returning to her country to run a business that fosters economic development through ecotourism. Ecotourism provides financial benefits and empowerment to local residents while at the same time conserving limited natural resources and protecting wildlife. Jennifer worked at a human rights foundation for six years and has experience in investment consulting. The Entrepreneurship Certificate Program enhanced her business operation skills and gave her the passion to become a respected leader in the economic development industry.
Jennifer is the winner of the 2007 Silverman Business Plan Competition. She will use the $20,000 in seed money and in-kind prizes to develop Yadumu, a company that will provide environmental, economic and sustainable development advice to the hotel and lodging industry in Africa.
As with the Simmons MBA program, the best part of the Certificate Program is the people I have been able to meet and learn from. These include fellow classmates, professors, visiting speakers, and successful entrepreneurs from many different industries.