‘Paving the Way’ in Pursuit of a Degree Triple Crown

Anna Ivashko ’11, MBA’20, DBA’28 knows Babson College well. 

Already armed with a bachelor’s of science and MBA from Babson, Ivashko always planned on pursuing a doctorate. When her alma mater launched its Doctor of Business Administration program last year, she knew it was time to act and an opportunity to make history. 

“When I learned that Babson launched its DBA,” she said, “I applied to be a part of this inaugural class, turn my entrepreneurial mindset into high gear, and help pave the way for future doctoral candidates at a place that I hold so dear.” 

Ivashko has been serving the life sciences industry with Clarkston Consulting since 2011, lending her experience and expertise to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. She helps develop and implement digital ecosystems that allow her clients to engage with patients, physicians, payers, and partners. 

Here, Ivashko reflects on the beginning stages of her DBA—her third Babson degree.  

What drove you to want to pursue your DBA?   

“Working toward my doctorate has always been a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if.’ I come from an immigrant family that firmly believes that education is our greatest asset in this world. My grandmother was the last of my grandparents to complete her degree later in life and demonstrate that continuous learning is not bound by age. Since she passed away, continuing my education has been a topic that I have returned to again and again. While I am passionate about the impact I get to make in consulting, I’ve always known that I need to keep building my toolkit so I can ask bigger and bigger questions.” 

As you are entering the program, what is one big problem you would most want to solve, and what research area are you aiming to explore to help solve it?   

“I spend a lot of time in my career looking out toward the industries we serve. And while I will continue to do that moving forward, the DBA is my opportunity to turn inward and explore the evolving consulting industry I belong to. I have questions about the impact that culture, connection, and transition have on the individual as well as overall performance and organizational success. 

“As the world moves closer to a gig economy, I believe that navigating attachment successfully will become a cornerstone of organizational effectiveness for all types of organization. I hope my microcosm of consulting helps answer questions that will support organizations navigating this change.” 

“While I am passionate about the impact I get to make in consulting, I’ve always known that I need to keep building my toolkit so I can ask bigger and bigger questions.”
Anna Ivashko ’11, MBA’20, DBA’28

What part of the program are you most looking forward to?   

“The teaching aspect of the program makes me most excited. Designing, developing, and teaching a class to the next generation of consultants on applied consulting skills has always been on my bucket list. I’m excited to leverage this program as a resource to make it happen.” 

At this point, what are your hopes and aspirations professionally after the DBA program? 

“The skills I learn here will make me a better consultant, allowing me to find new and creative ways to tackle client problems, identify actionable insights, and implement improvements that will maximize their impact. As I step into leadership roles, I will be able to apply these lessons within consulting, shaping the firm we will become as industry dynamics evolve and meeting the needs of the incoming consulting workforce. The future will be full of change. I hope to be more prepared for tackling it than I was when I walked into the program.” 

This is part of a series of profiles highlighting the individual entrepreneurial leaders in the inaugural cohort of Babson’s new Doctor of Business Administration program. Read more about Babson’s first DBA candidates.