Three accomplished alumni from Goizueta Business School’s Executive MBA program—Brandon Ward 10EMBA, Alonzo Q. Ford 09EMBA, and Rahul Gandhi 22EMBA—have been recognized with the Emory Entrepreneurship Awards. The prestigious honor celebrating alumni who have built successful, high-impact ventures.
The Emory Entrepreneurship Awards, established by alumni volunteers, recognize founders whose businesses have made significant strides in innovation, profitability, and industry influence. This year’s honorees are pioneers in fields ranging from finance and technology to healthcare and service industries, reinforcing Emory’s commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial excellence.
Building Businesses Through the Goizueta Executive MBA
The success of Ward, Ford, and Gandhi speaks to their visionary leadership skills and their intrepid pursuit of building better business communities. It is also a testament to the strength of Goizueta’s Executive MBA program, which provides professionals with the tools to lead and innovate across industries.
“The Goizueta Executive MBA program was transformational,” says Gandhi. “It gave me not just the business acumen to scale and sustain a venture, but also a powerful network of like-minded leaders who continue to inspire and support me.”
Designed for working executives, the Executive MBA program offers flexible formats, including on-campus, hybrid, and fully online options, allowing students to balance education with their careers.
“It is an honor to witness how our Executive MBA alumni excel in their work beyond the program,” says Associate Dean of Executive MBA & Evening MBA Programs Jaclyn Conner. “They inspire us through their curiosity, innovation, and perseverance to take on rewarding challenges. Our program provides a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insights into the entrepreneurial environment. It is delightful to see alumni bring these efforts to fruition.”
Their achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for current and prospective students, demonstrating how Goizueta’s Executive MBA program provides the skills, network, and confidence to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses.
“As a faculty member who regularly teaches in the Executive MBA program, I’m not surprised that they are launching and leading impactful ventures,” says Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Organization and Management Robert Kazanjian. “Our alumni are uniquely positioned to leverage their years of experience along with what they learn in the classroom.”
“All three are highly deserving of this honor,” he adds.
Strengthening the Southeast Ecosystem
Brandon Ward, one of this year’s award recipients, never imagined that the dream he hatched at a kitchen table would become a business employing more than 100 people across 11 countries in less than a decade. He cites the business acumen and courage of character he learned at Goizueta as a crucial step in manifesting that dream.
“The Executive MBA program at Goizueta has been instrumental in providing me key frameworks, whether from Rob Kazanjian’s strategy course, Ed Leonard’s course, or Rob Gilkey’s organizational behavior perspectives,” he says. “Mostly, the program helped instill the confidence and integrity to be a principled leader in global industry.”
“These awardees exemplify the dedication, creativity, and leadership that drive our thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. We celebrate their outstanding achievements,” says Managing Director of The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Brian Cayce. Funded by a gift from The Goizueta Foundation in late 2019, the Center seeks to bridge the gap between vision and reality, theory and practice. The Center focuses on three pillars of activity: developing entrepreneurial skills and new venture creation; preparing for early-stage investing and growing an understanding of capital formation; and enhancing creativity and innovation capabilities for organizations of all types.
“The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation proudly offers and collaborates upon a diverse range of programs—such as the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst, the Emory Venture Mentoring Services, and the Emory Entrepreneurship Summit—that provide invaluable resources and support to our entrepreneurs at all stages. These initiatives are available to students at all levels, including our Working Professional and Executive MBA community, ensuring that entrepreneurial education and growth are accessible to all.”
Meet the Honorees
Rahul Gandhi 21EMBA – Founder & Managing Partner, RedGram Wealth Management
With more than 20 years of experience in information technology, retail, finance, and the service industries, Rahul Gandhi manages fiduciary accounts at RedGram Wealth Management and Quantum Capital. A recent executive MBA graduate from Goizueta Business School, Gandhi has successfully led high-profile initiatives and start-ups with profit and loss responsibility during his corporate career. Previously, he consulted with KPMG, where he managed and advanced critical client accounts. Gandhi specializes in delivering tailored financial advisory services. His expertise in financial services, combined with deep technical and strategic knowledge, allows him to craft optimal investment strategies. Gandhi’s client-focused approach helps individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals with confidence and success.
“Honestly, I was both shocked and incredibly honored to learn about the award,” says Gandhi. “When you’re in the trenches of building something, you’re so focused on the work that you don’t always take a step back to recognize how far you’ve come. This award is a reminder that the late nights, tough decisions, and moments of doubt were all worth it. And more than anything, it’s a reflection of the amazing people—mentors, peers, and the Goizueta community—who have supported me along the way.
In regard to getting started, Gandhi’s advice is direct: jump in.
“Just start. Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready, because you never will. The best way to learn is by doing—put your idea out there, get feedback, and adapt.”
Another critical key is remembering that you are part of something larger and, when you excel, using your success to support others.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t a solo journey. It is about creating impact, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a community that values innovation and leadership. Awards like this are a reminder that success isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s about lifting others up and building something that lasts. The people you surround yourself with—your mentors, your team, your community—make all the difference. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of an ecosystem that values innovation, resilience, and collaboration.”
Alonzo Q. Ford 13EMBA – Chairman & CEO, Lowe’s Guardian Angel
Alonzo Q. Ford, chairman and CEO of Lowe’s Guardian Angel (LGA), is a transformational leader with expertise in strategic growth, mergers, and governance. A West Point graduate, Emory MBA, and combat veteran, Ford combines entrepreneurial vision with operational discipline honed at General Electric and in the U.S. Army. Under his leadership, LGA has quadrupled in size, expanded across Georgia, and increased cash flow by 588%. Since 2005, LGA has delivered 300,000+ hours of care annually to disabled adults, seniors, and veterans. A Georgia Titan 100 CEO and board member of the Goizueta Business School Alumni Association and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Ford channels his dedication to service and economic empowerment to drive LGA’s mission of enhancing 10,000 lives. Ford also serves on the board of the Goizueta Business School Alumni Association.
Brandon Ward 10EMBA – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Palladin Technologies
Brandon Ward is the founder and CEO of Palladin Technologies, a Salesforce Summit Consulting Partner based in Atlanta. With 25 years of experience, he has grown Palladin into a global company with employees in 11 countries and a 118% compound annual growth rate over the past four years. Palladin ranked among the top 13% of fastest-growing U.S. companies in 2024. When not working, Ward enjoys analog large format photography, capturing sites of Atlanta like Oakland Cemetery and the iconic structures of the city’s skyline.
For Ward, winning the Emory Entrepreneurship Award was both validating and humbling.
“It’s a recognition of the hard work and dedication not just from myself but from everyone who has supported me along this journey, including the amazing team at Palladin,” says Ward.
Ward’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs focuses on the value of resilience.
“The inevitable setbacks nearly always follow Murphy’s law, and the line between perseverance and poor judgment can be extremely fuzzy in the moment. Thus, ‘staying the course’ was my decision to keep going in year four as Covid hit, but it also could have wrecked me. Not having many alternatives at the time certainly helped the decision-making!”
Being open to the unexpected can also transform your business for the better.
“Entrepreneurship is filled with highs and lows, but each challenge presents an opportunity to learn and grow. Making the time to learn is critical, as is hiring the best possible people at each opportunity. Don’t always be afraid to look past a prospective candidate’s resume or industry background—sometimes the best employees come from non-traditional backgrounds.”
A degree from Goizueta Business School is also a great tool to have under your belt.
“I’m incredibly grateful and honored for this recognition, and knew at the time I made the right choice by entering the Executive MBA program. Thank you, Emory and Goizueta!”
Awardees were honored Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the FORTH Hotel Atlanta.
