Congratulations to  Cherise Brooks, Nashad Omar Carrington and Voranun Taweerutchana, all named this week to Poets&Quants list of Best & Brightest MBAs: Class of 2024.

This year, P&Q is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the series, which honors MBAs who personify academic excellence, community leadership and professional potential.

Brooks

Brooks, whose hometown is St. John’s, Antigua, told P&Q she is most proud of her role as co-president of Olin’s  Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Association (EVCA).

“What makes this experience particularly meaningful to me is the opportunity it provided to champion diversity and inclusion within the entrepreneurial landscape,” she said. “In EVCA, we didn’t just aim to foster entrepreneurship; we aimed to break barriers and empower underrepresented voices. As co-president, I spearheaded initiatives to create an inclusive environment where entrepreneurs could thrive. Two of my proudest accomplishments were organizing a successful startup fair on WashU’s campus and an all-female panel collaboration with Olin Woman in Business specifically tailored to highlight the ventures of female entrepreneurs. These events weren’t just about showcasing ideas, but about fostering connections, sparking collaborations, and opening doors to opportunities that may have previously felt out of reach.”

Carrington

Carrington, who lives in St. Louis, said he is most proud of his role as an advisor to the City of St. Louis’s Mayor’s Youth Cabinet.

“I’ve had the privilege of contributing to a dynamic platform fostering youth empowerment and civic engagement. Collaborating with city administrative officials, engaged youth, federal agencies, and community support groups, our work has been profoundly impactful. By amplifying youth voices, addressing community needs, and fostering meaningful partnerships, we’ve cultivated a more inclusive and responsive city government. Together, we’ve tackled pressing issues, from education and public safety to environmental sustainability, ensuring that St. Louis thrives as a vibrant and equitable community for generations.”

Taweerutchana

Taweerutchana, of Bangkok, Thailand, said she is proudest of starting her own venture, which her connections and resources at Olin helped her launch in St. Louis.

“Starting AnotherMe, an AI-powered mental wellness platform, at WashU Olin, was transformative. Through the school’s many resources and support (e.g., faculty members, professors, experiential learnings, and even the law entrepreneurship clinic), our team developed an app offering personalized guidance to reduce stress and enhance well-being, helping users navigate life’s challenges with AI-driven support. Through early customer engagement, we achieved a remarkable 80% positive feedback score, demonstrating strong market validation. Our commitment to innovation further propelled us to secure second place out of a competitive pool that included over 110 entrants in WashU Olin’s Big IdeaBounce® competition. This venture validated our concept and equipped me with crucial skills in AI/ML application, product development, and user engagement, all of which will be pivotal for my future in tech entrepreneurship and mental health innovation!”