Mission Driven: She’s an Advocate for Women’s Financial Empowerment

Editor / Writer

Eric Beato

Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.

| January 27, 2026

A portrait of Sumeit Aggarwal set against a background of headshots of the DBA students

Sumeit Aggarwal MBA’05, DBA’28 is the co-founder and managing partner of Finhive, a social enterprise that assists women-owned startups. She now is a member of the inaugural cohort of Babson’s Doctor of Business Administration program. (Photo: Nic Czarnecki/Babson College)

Listen

Editor’s note: As Babson’s new Doctor of Business Administration program begins, we are highlighting the individual entrepreneurial leaders who comprise the inaugural cohort. This is one in a series of DBA candidate profiles.

Sumeit Aggarwal MBA’05, DBA’28 is the embodiment of a lifelong learner. From a young age, she was encouraged to explore and learn by her parents, both of whom were educators, and she hasn’t stopped since.

“The 2010s is the only decade in my life when I have not been in school,” Aggarwal said.

She has the degrees to prove it. After completing her undergraduate degree at Delhi University, Aggarwal earned a master’s of science degree in information systems from Northeastern University and then earned her MBA at Babson College.

Along the way, Aggarwal has become a champion for empowering women in business as an entrepreneur, leader, investor, and expert speaker. In recent years, she has received the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Who Lift Up Massachusetts Award and the 2023 Woman of the Year – Entrepreneurship Award.

Now the co-founder and managing partner of Finhive, a social enterprise that assists women-owned startups, Aggarwal is a member of the inaugural cohort of Babson’s new Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, where she hopes to combine her experience and research interests to create more entrepreneurial opportunities for women.

What drove you to want to pursue your DBA, and why did you choose Babson? 

“My goal to pursue a Doctor of Business Administration at Babson College is multifaceted—my family upbringing, where my parents emphasized continuous learning and curiosity; my educational background with two master’s degrees; and the mission of my company, Finhive, to be a strong advocate for women’s financial empowerment. Additionally, a DBA is also a career goal for me that aligns with my personal aspirations for lifelong learning and intellectual challenges.

“A DBA is also a career goal for me that aligns with my personal aspirations for lifelong learning and intellectual challenges.”
Sumeit Aggarwal MBA’05, DBA’28

“Babson is a hub for expanding networks and creating opportunities aligned with Finhive’s mission. Last year, I attended the Babson Faculty Research Day, where I was particularly impressed by the faculty’s advancing research in areas such as management, entrepreneurship, economics, and operational analysis. This dedication not only highlights Babson’s academic excellence but also aligns perfectly with my passion for driving meaningful change in the businesses.”

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

“Since founding Finhive eight years ago, I have had countless interactions with clients, peers, and partners about the lack of entrepreneurial opportunities for women. Much of my work has been centered around women and women entrepreneurs—guiding them through every stage of their business journey, from ideation to launch, growth, and even business closure. I would like to test my practical experience in this field in an academic setting and create a framework to understand the underlying issues better. I am eager to begin the next chapter of my company and its mission by contributing to academic research and becoming a thought leader in the field of women’s entrepreneurship and financial empowerment.”

What are your hopes and aspirations professionally after the DBA program? 

“So far, all my work and client advice have come from my corporate and personal experiences. A DBA will equip me with advanced research skills, allowing me to conduct in-depth studies on women’s entrepreneurship and contribute valuable knowledge to the field. With a Babson DBA, I hope to frame this knowledge in a more formal way, and as an expert in my field, it will provide me with an enhanced set of research and leadership skills.”

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.