Eliot Digby-Jones
"I felt an immediate sense of warmth, support, and cohesion among students. There was no 'say-do' gap—no lip service—from students or faculty. Everyone supports each other meaningfully and intentionally. Team Fuqua is not just a marketing slogan!"
Daytime MBA
Prior Education:
Royal Holloway University of London
BSc Biomedical Sciences
Why I Chose Fuqua
Fuqua was an easy choice for me. The history and prestige of Duke and Fuqua were important for building credibility as an international student with a non-traditional background. The strength of the Health Sector Management (HSM) program and the variety of health care-related courses aligned perfectly with my past experience and future goals. And most importantly, the ethos and culture of the program stood out.
Before Fuqua
I served as an officer in the British Army for nearly 10 years, specializing as a medical advisor and commander. My primary role was as a health care manager, overseeing specialist medical facilities that grew in complexity and scale as I gained seniority. I also advised military formations on medical provision for their personnel and supported organizations such as the UN, NATO, and the NHS through deployments as a military planner and advisor.
After Fuqua
I will be pursuing a career in life sciences consulting in New York post-graduation. My experience working in small teams toward a common goal and distilling complexity under pressure aligns well with the demands of this career path. As someone with a non-traditional background, I’m eager to gain exposure across a variety of industries before returning to my passion for health care. I hope to use the frameworks, concepts, and learning opportunities from my MBA to build the structure and technical knowledge needed to bridge the gap between my military service and an impactful post-MBA advisory role.
5 Random Things About Me
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My first job was teaching kayaking and windsurfing at a local lake during the summer—I found it incredibly fulfilling, especially helping people overcome their fear of the water.
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I deployed to Mogadishu and discovered a genre of Somali '80s disco music that became the soundtrack to our deployment (we even made merch for it).
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I ran an alpine ski racing team as an additional duty in the Army for several seasons, taking my soldiers to train and race across the Nordic, Swiss, and French Alps.
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I have a mild obsession—I'm incredibly exacting—when it comes to decorating a Christmas tree during the holidays.
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I picked up triathlon on a whim during the pandemic to get back in shape, and three years later, I fulfilled a lifelong dream by representing Great Britain at the World Championships.
Paying It Forward
Must-Take MBA Courses
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Biotech and Pharma Strategy with Prof. David Ridley
Offers incredible insight into an incredibly complex industry. -
Emerging Markets Strategy with Prof. Sharon Belenzon
A deep dive into global business challenges that sharpens your understanding of diverse economies and the real-world pressures of operating across borders. -
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)
A hands-on course filled with expert guest speakers and practical lessons on developing acquisition strategies around small and medium-sized businesses.