Dyan Utami

Home Country: Indonesia

Home State: Java

Undergraduate Institution: STIM YKPN Yogyakarta

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Marketing and Finance

Pre-MBA Industry: Startup/ tech company

Pre-MBA Company: Aquabloom

Pre-MBA Title: Growth Manager

Desired industry post-MBA: Healthcare, Energy, Tech

Desired job function post-MBA: Startup Founder

Summer Internship Company: MD Anderson Cancer Center

Summer Internship Position: Go-to-Market Strategist for Nursing Leadership Programs

Degree Concentrations: Entrepreneurship, Healthcare

Student Organization Membership: Consulting Association, Entrepreneurship Association, Healthcare Association

Officer: EVP, Finance and Treasury of Healthcare Association, 2026-2027
1st Year Student Representative of Entrepreneurship Association, 2025-2026
Co-president of Entrepreneurship Association, 2026-2027*

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been how genuinely supportive the community is. I expected the program to be collaborative, but I didn’t anticipate just how willing people would be to show up for one another. Whether it’s classmates, second-year students, or faculty, people are quick to offer their time, share advice, and help you move forward—even when you’re still figuring things out.
This support made a big difference during my first semester, which was both intense and overwhelming at times. Balancing academics, building my startup, recruiting, and extracurriculars pushed me out of my comfort zone. There were many moments when I felt uncertain or questioned whether I was making the right choices. What surprised me was that instead of navigating those moments alone, I found that support was always within reach—I just had to ask.
One piece of advice from a second-year student really stayed with me: say yes first, then figure it out. That mindset, combined with the encouragement from people around me, helped me take more risks and embrace opportunities I might have otherwise avoided. Over time, I realized that this culture of support isn’t just a nice aspect of the program—it’s what enables growth. It’s what turns a challenging experience into a meaningful one.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? My favorite part of my MBA experience so far has been my core team. We are a small group of 5–6 students, a mix of international and local classmates, and I am truly grateful to be part of Core Team 26. At the beginning, it wasn’t always easy—we had different perspectives and approaches—but we took the time to sit down, talk openly, and maturely define our team goals, mission, values, and even boundaries.
Over time, we’ve built something really special. My core team has become my safe space, a place where I can practice leading, sharing ideas, and speaking freely. We genuinely support each other, celebrate each other’s wins, and are committed to sticking together through graduation and beyond.
Being the only Indonesian in the cohort, my team has also been my first place to truly lean on. They’ve set the standard for what healthy, supportive teamwork looks like, and I feel so lucky to be part of it. Honestly, the bond we’ve created is one of the most meaningful parts of my MBA journey.

What do you love most about Houston? What I like most about Houston is how naturally it brings together learning, entrepreneurship, and healthcare, while still offering space to slow down and recharge. At Rice Business, entrepreneurship isn’t just something on the side—it’s built into the experience. Students are encouraged to test ideas early, collaborate across disciplines, and turn what they learn in class into real ventures. What makes this even more meaningful is Houston itself, especially its connection to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. For someone interested in building in healthcare, being here means your ideas can be shaped by real clinical needs, tested with doctors and patients, and refined in a practical setting.
What has stood out to me most, though, is the people. Early on, I remember sharing a very rough idea with classmates, not knowing what to expect. Instead of criticism, they leaned in—asking thoughtful questions, offering suggestions, and even connecting me with others who might help. That experience stayed with me. I’ve continued to meet people who are genuinely open and supportive, whether they are local or international students. There’s a real sense that people want to see you succeed, no matter where you come from. That kind of environment makes it much easier to take risks, share ideas early, and keep improving.
At the same time, Houston offers plenty of ways to find balance. Places like the Museum District or local cafés make it easy to step away, reflect, and connect with others. For me, Houston isn’t just where I study—it’s where ideas grow, where future healthcare founders are shaped, and where life outside the classroom feels just as important.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective? Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help—people around you truly want to support you and see you succeed.