Alefiya Lakdawala MSBA 27

Headshot of a smiling woman with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a black blazer.

I chose UC Davis at a point when I knew I wanted to change the direction of my career, but I wasn't looking to start over.

My background is in finance and financial crime, and over time I became more interested in the data and analytics behind the work I was doing. The MSBA felt like the missing piece. I also genuinely wanted the experience of being a student again, meeting new people, learning from them and doing something completely different from my day-to-day work.

Student Leadership and Experience

  • MSBA Directors' Student Advisory Committee

Previous Education

  • MSc in financial technology, finance, University of Kent
  • Chartered Accountant, finance and accounting, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Previous Work Experience

  • FinCrime Analyst, FinCrime, Revolut Technologies
  • Deputy Manager, Investigations and Market Surveillance, National Stock Exchange
  • Associate, Taxation, S Lakdawala & Associates
  • Intern, Indirect taxation, Talati & Co

Fun Facts

  • I hiked Angels Landing without any prep.
  • I got engaged in middle of street in London.
  • I can sleep for more than 10 hours without guilt.

Editor’s note: This profile was created when the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program was located in San Francisco. Beginning with the incoming 2027 cohort, the program will move to our main campus in Davis. Learn more about the UC Davis MSBA.