Michelle Skaf, MSBA '22
The Stern MSBA program is more than a degree—it’s a catalyst for growth.
Michelle Skaf’s entrepreneurial career had a sweet start: she is a co-founder of Skaf's Sweets, which specializes in homemade traditional baklawa. With a successful brick and mortar store and multiple restaurants, Michelle expanded her focus to e-commerce, shipping her baklawa nationwide. This dive into digital business sparked her interest in analytics and inspired her to pursue Stern’s MSBA program to better understand trends and optimize business strategies.
Michelle also puts her Stern degree to use in her role as Technical Business Analyst (FinOps) at Annalect, where she works with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, and Azure to drive financial optimization and develop data-driven strategies for clients like PepsiCo. Her work lies at the intersection of analytics and business, translating data insights into actionable solutions that deliver measurable results.
In a recent conversation with Stern, Michelle shared with us how her capstone project became a program highlight, how she’s using AI to propel Skaf’s Sweets, and how Stern’s MSBA program was instrumental in securing her role at Annalect.
Where were you in your career when you decided to pursue this MSBA program? Why did you choose Stern over other avenues?
When I decided to pursue the MSBA program at Stern, I was focused on building the e-commerce side of Skaf’s Sweets, expanding our reach across the U.S. I chose the Stern MSBA program because of its reputation as a global, leading analytics program, with a unique emphasis on executive learning and global business applications. Its established curriculum, paired with opportunities for international travel and networking, made it an ideal fit for my aspirations to expand my entrepreneurial ventures and enhance my technical skillset.
Why was now the moment to make a big investment in yourself?
Launching and scaling Skaf’s Sweets revealed how critical data is in identifying growth opportunities, engaging customers, and optimizing operations. As analytics and AI continue to evolve rapidly, I saw this as the ideal moment to master these tools and methodologies. By investing in myself through Stern’s MSBA program, I aimed to not only sharpen my skills but also position myself to thrive in a highly competitive marketplace.
What excites you about the field of analytics and artificial intelligence, and how do you see yourself contributing to the field?
The ability of analytics and AI to drive transformational change excites me the most. At Annalect, I help clients refine their strategies and improve operational efficiency through these technologies. Similarly, for Skaf’s Sweets, I leverage AI to understand market trends, personalize customer experiences, and optimize digital marketing campaigns.
The MSBA program equipped me to not only navigate this dynamic field but also to contribute by applying these technologies to solve real-world challenges across both corporate and entrepreneurial domains.
What are some specific skills you gained in the program?
The program sharpened my technical expertise in Python, R, and SQL, equipping me with the ability to process and analyze complex datasets effectively. A standout experience was my capstone project with Anheuser-Busch, where I developed a data-driven marketing strategy for Bud Light Seltzer based on demographic and geographic insights. Beyond technical skills, the program also honed my ability to communicate complex findings to diverse stakeholders and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
What has been the immediate value-add of the program to your career?
The Stern MSBA program has had a profound impact on my career trajectory. NYU’s strong brand was key in securing my role at Annalect, where I deliver data-driven strategies daily. The global immersion trip to Abu Dhabi broadened my perspective on international business, while the diverse and talented cohort expanded my professional network. These experiences have enriched my strategic thinking, enhanced my analytical capabilities, and positioned me to make a meaningful impact in both my corporate role and my entrepreneurial endeavors.
What three words would you use to describe your experience in the program?
Transformative. Insightful. Collaborative.