Beating the Odds: Chizoma Ekechukwu on Resilience, Purpose, and Life Beyond Cancer

In this heartfelt episode of The Fuqua Show, host Abimbola sits down with Chizoma Ekechukwu - a second-year MBA student whose strength, warmth, and leadership have touched every corner of the Fuqua community. She's Co-President of the Black Business Student Association, a Career and Admissions Fellow, and a trusted mentor. But beyond the titles, Chizoma carries a story that changed everything.

While navigating the challenges of business school, Chizoma was diagnosed with cancer. What followed wasn’t a pause - it was a deep dive into healing, faith, and connection. In this conversation, she opens up about how she made sense of the diagnosis, found comfort in community, and redefined what success really means.

This episode isn’t just about overcoming - it’s about becoming. Becoming someone who leads with empathy, who embraces vulnerability, and who finds light, even when the path is uncertain. 

Episode Producer: Sushma Maramreddy /  Abimbola Olurotimi 
Host: Abimbola Olurotimi
Editor: Sushma Maramreddy 

Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.