Tanya Bansal, MBA 2025
San Francisco with her partner
If I could live inside a book, I probably would. But since that’s not possible (yet), I settle for reading, writing, illustrating, and occasionally sculpting my favorite literary worlds instead.
Hi, I’m Tanya Bansal, a 2Y MBA student at Olin, born and raised in the vibrant chaos of the capital of India, Delhi—now navigating life (and unpredictable Midwest weather) in St. Louis.
My career started in education consulting and communications, where I acted as a bridge between India and Germany, facilitating academic collaborations. But somewhere between crafting strategies and managing high-stake partnerships, I realized I didn’t just want to build bridges—I wanted to design the whole map. That’s when I dove into product strategy and marketing, knowing that the real impact lies in shaping how ideas turn into action.
Outside the classroom, I have two main obsessions: books and art. I’ve devoured over 300 books in English, Hindi, and German (yes, I started learning German at age 8 and somehow ended up nearly native!). I’ve read Nausea by Sartre four times—maybe I just love the existential dizziness—and Kafka’s writing makes me feel both seen and absurdly lost, much like The Trial’s Josef K. navigating a system that refuses to explain itself (very much like some group projects). But reading isn’t enough—I illustrate my favorite books and write my musings on my Instagram page, @booknerds.art. Somewhere along the way, I also self-taught myself to sketch, paint, and sculpt—because why not make life even messier (and covered in charcoal)?
When I’m not immersed in books or covered in paint, I’m probably on the road. My partner and I once drove 19 hours straight from St. Louis to Nashua, New Hampshire—because logic is overrated. In less than a year, I’ve been to 15+ states, but the ultimate cross-country road trip is still on my bucket list. Food is a huge part of my adventures—I firmly believe the best way to understand a place is through its flavors.
In frame (L-R): Tiantian Wang, Eric Carlson, Alice Chen and Tanya Bansal
At WashU, outside of my academics, I’ve also found meaning in helping others navigate their own journeys. Through my work with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at OISE and ORSEL, I’ve helped students from across the world adjust to life at WashU, making sure they feel a little more at home in a new country. And when the whirlwind of academics and life feels overwhelming, I encourage taking a mindful pause—whether it’s a quiet moment at Forest Park or simply finding time for self-reflection.
I thrive in spaces where creativity meets strategy, where stories shape decisions, and where ideas turn into action. If there’s one thing I live by, it’s this: Life’s too short to take too seriously—so read the book, take the trip, eat the dessert, and maybe even sculpt it for fun.
