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�ʹڶ��� graduate student Neeva Shrestha has always been the intersection of perspective and economic impact. Since coming to the United States from her home country of Nepal in 2018, she has sought jobs and education that help her explore mindsets and attitudes that dictate how people spend money. And she also thanks �ʹڶ��� for helping refine her focus.

“I’ve always been interested in the cognition of finances and how people spend their money,” she says. “I initially joined as an MBA student, but the really excellent team at �ʹڶ��� helped me understand that my true passion was in real estate.”

Shrestha has parlayed that interest into a real estate analyst internship at World Business Chicago, where she works to attract other businesses to the city and work with the mayor’s office to create urban economic development. The role is described as a “roller coaster” that strives to balance the excitement of the Brandon Johnson administration with continually stubborn interest rates, but Shrestha feels her �ʹڶ��� training has made her a valuable asset to the non-profit.

However, her biggest contribution to the �ʹڶ��� community is serving as the president of the Women in Business organization, which offers networking session for members to develop connections and refine their relationship development skills. They also host “Donut with the Deans” gatherings, a success with students looking to both enjoy a sweet treat and meet HCB professors outside the confines of the classroom.

“These events are always really well-attended and receive great feedback because they’re so approachable for everyone,” says Shrestha. “There’s solidarity seeing other women looking to enter this field supporting each other and developing connections so early.”

The organization’s upcoming event, titled will invite Amazon software development engineer Minwoo Seo as a guest speaker.

Shrestha also wants to give back and support her fellow international students by volunteering with the graduate assistant program and re-organizing the books in the Heller College of Business. In her free time, however, she loves exploring the city that has become like home to her.

“Chicago is most representative of America itself, I think, because it’s so diverse in its cultural background and a good mix of urban and suburban development,” she says. “The public transportations is so good that I never need a car to explore all the different neighborhoods.

“I absolutely love the Riverwalk, but my favorite element is the diverse food scene. The city is so dynamic when it comes to global cultures, and you can have cuisine here from all over the world. There are so many festivals that intersect culture with food that have expanded what I like to eat and the entire global community.”