As 2024 draws to a close, we invite Goizueta Business School faculty, staff, and students to reflect on the year they’ve left behind and anticipate what 2025 has in store.
We are officially a quarter of the way into the 21st century. 2025 will be the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. Pantone has designated “Mocha Mousse” as the color of the year.
This year promises to be an eventful one. Japan will host the World Expo in Osaka, a showcase of cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and global cooperation. In July, the sun will be in the middle of a solar cycle in which it switches magnetic poles, resulting in sunspots that may produce stunning auroras while also posing risks to GPS, radio communications, and power grids. Over 175 countries are anticipated to sign a United Nations treaty committing to the reduction of single-use plastics and promoting a transition to sustainable alternatives. Meanwhile, India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country, with significant economic and geopolitical implications.
On a smaller and more intimate scale, the Goizueta community shares what memories and wisdom they intend to carry with them through the new year, how they hope to grow, and what big events they have marked in their personal calendars for 2025.
Dionne Nickerson: Assistant Professor of Marketing
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
Definitely moving back to Atlanta and starting my position at Goizueta. Moving is always stressful and tiring, but I’m glad to be back in the A!
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
Say “no” more. It’s taken me this long, but I would have to say I’ve learned (and am learning) to set healthy boundaries across all my relationships. It’s felt amazing!
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
Fortunate by Common. This song expresses how I feel every day, even on my worst days—fortunate. Also, the song just feels like summertime on the South side of Chicago, which is something you need to experience to understand.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
I took this photo at the Royal National Park outside of Sydney, Australia. I love this pic because I was really happy this day! I feel like my joy is reflected in the vibrant colors in the pic.
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
I’ve been learning Portuguese, and I look forward to continuing that in the new year! Shout out to the brasileiros!
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
I’m looking forward to prioritizing what’s important in life—taking care of myself, spending time with friends and family, honoring my ancestors, trying to understand how this world works, and, of course, listening to music.
Alan Pogue: Director, Operations, Facilities, and Events Management
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
My wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary. Very blessed to have a wonderful partner through the years. Time flies!
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
In March, I had a car rear end my car. I fractured a vertebra from this accident. Recovery was a time to reflect on all the blessings in my life.
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
Beyond Me – TobyMac
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
My wife and I biking in Kinderdijk, Netherlands on our Rhine River cruise.
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
I am in year two of my doctorate in education at UGA, so I will be further fine tuning my research and writing skills.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
My kids will graduate—my daughter Emily from Kennesaw State University and my son Elijah from Oxford College (he then heads to Emory’s main campus next fall).
Qazi Haq 25MBA
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
The inaugural session of “Taking Flight: A Goizueta Leadership Series” was a transformative experience for me. Conceived as a platform to connect students with industry leaders, it was incredibly rewarding to see our idea come to fruition. We had the honor of hosting Gardiner Garrard, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of TTV Capital, who shared invaluable insights on leadership, philosophy, and mindfulness. His perspectives deeply resonated with me, influencing my approach to both personal and professional challenges.
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
This year, I learned the importance of prioritizing and learning to say “no” to avoid burnout. I’ve often found myself running as fast as possible in all directions, but it’s simply not sustainable. Taking time to recover, set boundaries, and focus on what truly matters has been a game-changer, and I plan to carry this lesson forward into the new year to build a healthier, more balanced approach to life.
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
The song Gonojowar by Nemesis would be my soundtrack for 2024 as it has become an anthem for the Bangladeshi youth, symbolizing unity, resilience, and hope in light of the recent movements and calls for change in Bangladesh. Nemesis, one of the most iconic and popular Bangladeshi rock bands, has long resonated with generations through their powerful music and socially conscious lyrics.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
My favorite photo from this year captures a painting I made during the recent revolution in my home country of Bangladesh. The artwork is a rendition of our national flag, where I infused my feelings of despair and hope amidst the turmoil. This painting now hangs proudly in my living room, serving as a daily reminder of the power of a united community driven by a shared vision. It embodies the spirit of the student-led uprising that led to significant political change in our country, highlighting the impact collective action can have in shaping a nation’s future.
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
I aim to cultivate the habit of daily reflection and meditation. Inspired by the discussions during the Taking Flight series, I believe that setting aside time each day to reflect on experiences and lessons will enhance personal growth and mindfulness.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
I’m looking forward to fully recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery in January and finally returning to playing competitive sports. Being out in the sun, running around, and enjoying games with my friends has always been my favorite way to de-stress and recharge. This past year has been tough as I navigated the challenges of injury, but I’m excited to feel like myself again and embrace the joy of movement, competition, and camaraderie.
Alicia Sierra: Director, Human Resources and Diversity
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
I’ve learned many lessons this year, but I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is to prioritize self-care even when life is overwhelming or in the face of difficulty. It is easy to sacrifice taking care of yourself when you have a lot going on in your life. However, I’ve learned during those times, to double down on making sure I take care of my myself. It may look different for me depending on if I am physically tired or mentally exhausted. I have discovered that to be the best wife, mother, sister, daughter, employee, etc., this has to be a priority for me.
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
My soundtrack for 2024 has to be the remake of “WildFlower” by Tyrese. It has been remade many times, but I love Tyrese’s version. It is a beautiful song that he dedicated to his mother. This year, I’ve been spending a lot of time caring for my elderly mother and this song makes me think about all of the sacrifices she has made for me, her love for our family, and the love I have for her.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
I love taking photos so choosing one is hard. However, I think my favorite photo is the one I took in Beverly Hills when we were celebrating my youngest son, Ian’s, 25th birthday in LA. He loves travelling, and for me and my sister to go with him was a gift. I have been to LA many times, but never for leisure. We got to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway for the first time. The mountains and the sea together were so beautiful. We had lunch in Malibu and dinner on Manhattan Beach. We also visited the Getty Museum, Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In this photo, we were on the way to Ian’s birthday dinner in Beverly Hills and when we saw the sign, we just had to get out and take the photo. It’s such a great memory!
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
As I mentioned, I love taking photos and I want to get back in the habit of printing photos on a more consistent basis and putting them in a scrapbook or photo album. I love going through my old photo albums and want to be able to do that again.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
I am looking forward to going to Saint Luca on a girls trip with my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. sorority line sisters this summer to celebrate our 40th anniversary of pledging our beloved sorority. I also turn 60 in July, so that trip will kick off the celebration of this milestone birthday!
Jared Scruggs: Post-Doctoral Fellow of Organization & Management
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
Getting my PhD (finally!) and moving to Atlanta. The whole transition was a big shift for me, and I’m so grateful for these new opportunities.
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
Your physical and mental health must come first in (nearly) every situation. There’s a cost to not prioritizing.
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
Well—I have been listening to Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of Defying Gravity enough since Wicked came out that it would beat my number of listens for any other song this year.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
My favorite photo this year was of my nephew, who was born just in December. It was such a joy to be able to document his first days here.
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
I hope to learn how to “satisfice” more on work—that is, push work along even if it’s not what I think is absolutely perfect.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
I spend some time in Brazil every year, and this summer I’m looking forward to seeing some new cities I haven’t been to before!
Lanero Hill: Senior Multimedia Developer
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
One of the biggest events that has impacted me this year has to be the ELP (Emerging Leadership Program). I was selected to participate in a six-month program, and I’m currently almost halfway through it and have learned so much. It has improved both my professional and personal life by equipping me with the tools that allow me to work through all types of day-to-day situations. I’m honored to know that my hard work has caught the attention of upper management, and excited to see my growth.
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
My most important lesson I learned this year is to trust the process it takes to reach the goals you’ve set. Some days are setbacks, while others are a breeze. It’s also best to prepare yourself for falling short of those goals and evaluate what it will take to get that goal accomplished.
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
My song of 2024?! It’s definitely “Million Dollar Baby” by Tommy Richman. My son plays travel baseball and that was literally the most played “walk up” song, and my team sung that song all summer.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
My favorite photo this year is of my mom, nephew, and son. It was taken a few weeks before she passed away from breast cancer. It was a really good day for her that day and I am glad I captured it.
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
One thing I want to continue making a habit is being positive with myself improvement. I’m often very critical of myself, and it doesn’t help when I should be focusing positive results.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
I don’t have a particular thing that I’m looking forward to in the new year. I’m going on trips, I’ll attend events, some milestones will be reached, and I have a list of home projects to finish. So, I would have to say that it’s always a pleasure to see the memories I’ve made in the photos I’ll take throughout the year.
Suhas Sridharan: Associate Professor of Accounting
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
My dad passed away earlier this year. He was, perhaps obviously, a huge influence on my life both personally and professionally, since he was also a professor and researcher. I’m grateful to have learned so much from him.
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
Sometimes you can do more by doing less. I love to say “yes” to requests (from colleagues, students, friends)—but I also strive to be really present and engaged in things that I do. Overcommitting often leads me to be less engaged than I’d like.
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
According to Spotify Wrapped, it’s “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan—followed by approximately 200 Taylor Swift songs. I had the great fortune of attending the Eras Tour in the fall and it absolutely lived up to all the hype.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why? Feel free to attach it or describe it.
My sons and I recently stumbled upon an art fair in Decatur, and they both loved participating in the street art demonstration. It was a great opportunity to slow down for a moment and appreciate the beauty around us.
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
Patience—with others and with myself.
And, perhaps relatedly, baking sourdough. I just acquired my first starter! I know, it’s about 4 years late relative to all the pandemic baking, but I’m still excited about it.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
I was fortunate to receive a research sabbatical for the 2025-2026 academic year. I haven’t yet figured out exactly what I’m going to be doing, but I’m excited for the opportunity to do more of the research I love.
Szymon Mackala 26MBA
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
An event that deeply impacted my life this year was achieving the title of vice-champion of Poland in the 4x100m relay among business schools. This wasn’t just another athletic accomplishment—it was a deeply personal goal I had been chasing for four years. While I’ve had the chance to win more prestigious competitions before, there’s something uniquely special about competing with other students. It’s always an amazing adventure that adds a sense of camaraderie and fun to the experience.
The journey wasn’t easy—there were injuries and the constant challenge of balancing training with academic responsibilities—but overcoming these obstacles made the victory all the more rewarding. From this experience, I’ve learned the value of persistence and teamwork, as well as the importance of staying dedicated to personal goals, even when the path gets tough. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful achievements come from pushing through challenges with determination and a positive mindset.
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
The most important lesson I learned in 2024 is to approach every situation, person, challenge, or opportunity with an open mind—without rushing to judge or define it too soon. By giving things the space to unfold, I’ve discovered that life often surprises you in the most meaningful and rewarding ways. This mindset has reinforced the belief that even when outcomes feel uncertain, good things will come if you allow the process to run its course and stay optimistic.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
My favorite photo from this year is from my first day of the MBA program at Goizueta. It marks the day I began pursuing my dream, a moment full of excitement and pride. I remember the sense of achievement and happiness I felt, knowing that I was taking a big step toward fulfilling my long-term goals. That photo captures not just the start of a new chapter in my life, but also the optimism and gratitude that came with it. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and how important it is to chase your dreams with determination and joy.
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
One skill I hope to cultivate next year is the ability to say “no.” It’s a crucial skill, especially when faced with countless opportunities. Learning to say no allows me to focus on the right direction, which ultimately helps me say yes to the things that truly align with my goals. This practice fosters discipline and ensures I dedicate my energy to what matters most, enabling personal and professional growth in the long run.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year?
Next year, I’m most looking forward to my wedding. It’s a deeply meaningful milestone and one of the most significant decisions of my life. I’m eager to celebrate this new chapter surrounded by loved ones, creating memories that will last forever.
Joshua Richey 25 MBA
What event had a big impact on your life this year?
Leaving the workforce and starting business school had a HUGE impact on my life. I moved back home to Atlanta after living in Indiana for ten years.
What’s the most important lesson you learned in 2024 that you’d like to carry with you into the new year?
“Nothing will work unless you do”—Maya Angelou. A fancy way of saying “your hard work will pay off, but you must put in the time first.” This mindset has served me well and I plan to continue it into the future.
What song would you pick as the “soundtrack” of your 2024 year?
There are two songs that come to mind: “You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan and “I Get Up” by J. Cole.
What’s your favorite photo you took this year and why?
I like taking random photos of architecture when I’m on trips and while on our Global Experiential Module trip to Denmark I took this picture of the top of a building that I really like. I don’t remember much about the building though!
What is one habit or skill you hope to cultivate next year?
I am a good swimmer, but I don’t know how to dive and I really want to learn how to dive.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to next year? (Trips, events, milestones, projects, etc.)
GRADUATING! And moving to a new city.
Happy New Year, Goizueta friends and family!
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