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Endurance Mindset
Endurance sports have taught me that meaningful progress rarely comes from dramatic breakthroughs. It comes from showing up consistently, making small improvements, and trusting the process long before the results are visible.
MBA STUDENT · STRATEGY · BRAND · AI
I’m Chris Diab, an MBA student at Simon Business School with a background in nonprofit operations, web development, and customer experience.
MY STORY
Every step in my career has been driven by a desire to learn something new, whether that meant exploring technology, supporting a nonprofit mission, understanding consumer behavior, or studying business strategy.
Looking back, each experience built on the last, shaping not only what I know, but how I think, lead, and solve problems today.
Learning to Think
My journey began at Emory University, where I studied Art History. While it may seem like an unconventional path to business, it shaped the way I approach problems today. Art history taught me to analyze complex ideas, understand context, and communicate with clarity. More importantly, it sparked a curiosity to understand how organizations create value and how thoughtful decisions shape outcomes. By the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to apply that mindset beyond the classroom. That curiosity led me toward technology, nonprofit operations, and eventually business, with each experience building on the last.
Learning to Build
After graduating from Emory, I wanted to use my skills to make a meaningful impact. I was drawn to the nonprofit sector because it allowed me to support underserved communities while continuing to develop my creative and analytical abilities. At St. Rita Foundation for Children, I worked across web development, finance, operations, and donor communications, gaining firsthand experience in how different parts of an organization come together to advance a shared mission. It was here that I learned the value of solving problems collaboratively and using technology to create meaningful impact.
Learning from Consumers
As a competitive triathlete, I have always been fascinated by the products, brands, and experiences that shape an athlete's journey. That curiosity led me to Fleet Feet, where I wanted to better understand the consumer side of the business. What began as a sales role quickly grew into a leadership opportunity. As a Team Lead and Manager, I coached teammates to deliver highly personalized consumer experiences while overseeing daily store operations, including staffing, inventory, and workflow. I also partnered with leading athletic brands, strengthened vendor relationships, and led internal product education clinics to help our team better serve different consumer segments. Working directly with consumers taught me that great businesses aren't built solely on great products. They are built by understanding people's goals, earning their trust, and delivering experiences that genuinely meet their needs.
Building What's Next
Pursuing my MBA at Simon Business School has given me the opportunity to connect the experiences that shaped my career. After building a foundation in nonprofit operations, technology, and consumer experience, I wanted to develop the strategic and analytical skills needed to lead organizations through growth and innovation. Today, I'm focused on the intersection of strategy, marketing, and artificial intelligence. I'm particularly interested in how emerging technologies are transforming the way organizations make decisions, create value, and build meaningful relationships with consumers. As I continue my MBA journey, my goal is to combine curiosity, creativity, and data-driven thinking to help organizations solve complex problems and create lasting impact.
BEYOND BUSINESS
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Endurance sports have taught me that meaningful progress rarely comes from dramatic breakthroughs. It comes from showing up consistently, making small improvements, and trusting the process long before the results are visible.
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I've always enjoyed building things. What began with web development has grown into a broader interest in artificial intelligence and the ways emerging technologies can reshape how organizations work, make decisions, and create value.
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Some of my most rewarding experiences have come from the people around me. Whether working with classmates, colleagues, or teammates, I've learned that the best ideas are built through collaboration and a willingness to learn from different perspectives.
RESUME
LET’S CONNECT
Let's build something meaningful together.