Subashini Palanikumar

Tell us about your career so far

I am a strategic audit and risk professional with over five years of experience in the global financial sector. In my role as an Independent Testing Specialist (AVP) at Wells Fargo, I was involved in the initiation of regulatory testing, the reporting of enterprise risk, and control automation, which provided quantifiable improvements in efficiency. In my previous role at EY, I was involved in financial auditing and reviews of internal controls for the automotive, energy, infrastructure, and hospitality sectors, adhering to both IFRS and GAAP. My key areas of strength lie in the realms of regulatory compliance, risk evaluation, stakeholder communication, and project management.

Why did you choose to study an MBA at the University of Birmingham?

I chose the MBA at the University of Birmingham because of its strong global reputation, commitment to responsible business, and approach that spans strategy, leadership, and innovation. The specific modules offered by the program, including “Strategy in a Complex and Uncertain World,” “Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” and “Marketing in a Digital Age,” all very aptly align with my aim of moving out of the field of audit and risk into a more general or strategically and innovation-focused area of business. The diverse student body and hands-on learning offered by the Birmingham Business School are the perfect foundation upon which I can develop my skills and strengthen my perspective related to business and innovation.

What are your career aspirations after completing the MBA?

In the short term, I aim to leverage the MBA to transition into strategic leadership roles that combine my strengths in risk, finance, and stakeholder management with broader exposure to marketing, innovation, and business strategy. Long term, I aspire to lead or advise organizations on sustainable growth, value creation, and responsible decision-making, either within large global firms or through launching my own venture. Ultimately, my goal is to become a versatile business leader who bridges analytical rigour with customer-centric strategy and drives impact in complex, evolving business environments.