Vandana (Ana) Mangal draws on her work experience at Tata Group, AE Business Solutions Consulting, and Intel to bring real-world insights into her courses. She connects theory to practice through applied projects and extracurricular activities, while leveraging her industry network to create mentorship and career opportunities for students. Passionate about technology and innovation, Ana prepares graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
How do you incorporate your industry experience into the classroom?
I believe learning is most impactful when students can clearly see how classroom concepts translate into real careers. In my courses, I draw on my industry experience in companies such as the Tata Group, AE Business Solutions Consulting, and Intel Corporation to bring real-world cases, tools, and applied projects into the classroom, helping students connect theory to practice. Beyond class, I actively develop co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities, such as the LMU Innovation Symposium and the LMU Datathon, which allow students to deepen their skills in collaborative, real-world settings. By leveraging my strong relationships with alumni and an extensive professional network, I create pathways for mentorship, internships, and career exploration.
What are you most proud of professionally and why?
What I am most proud of professionally is seeing how classroom learning, mentorship, and real-world exposure come together to shape students’ careers over time. From my years at UCLA to my work at LMU, I now see former students thriving in impactful roles at respected companies, which is incredibly meaningful to me. In the classroom, I focus on making learning practical and relevant through applied projects and real-world examples. Beyond the classroom, I mentor students, leverage alumni and industry connections through the advisory board, and create experiential opportunities, such as the Innovation Symposium and the Datathon. Watching students translate their learning into careers and succeed long after graduation is a highly rewarding part of my work.
What do you enjoy most about teaching at LMU?
I enjoy teaching in the small class sizes at LMU, like my alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University, which allows me to understand my students’ aspirations and tailor my teaching to the specific class’s interests and goals. I enjoy sharing my passion for technology and innovation, while also helping students develop holistically by fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and professional growth alongside technical skills. Being able to engage with students on both an academic and individual level makes teaching at LMU especially rewarding.
What advice do you have for graduate business students?
Lifelong learning should be the guiding principle for everyone, and especially for graduate business students. In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, innovation is constant, and the tools, frameworks, and methodologies learned in school can quickly become outdated. By attending business school, students gain a strong foundation of skills that make them competitive in today’s job market. To remain relevant and adaptable throughout their careers, however, they must embrace a mindset of continuous learning — actively seeking opportunities to expand their knowledge, stay informed of emerging trends, and continually refine their expertise to thrive in a constantly changing business world.
What’s a fun fact you’d like others to know about you?
When I’m not teaching or mentoring students, I enjoy designing outfits. It’s a creative way to explore imagination, think outside the box, and bring ideas to life — just like I encourage students to do with their projects and careers.
To learn more about Ana Mangal's professional and academic experience, please visit her LinkedIn profile and faculty bio.