From New York City to Madison and back into the fast-paced world of global management consulting, Chaim Yi (MSBA Class of 2023) has taken the analytical skills honed at the Wisconsin School of Business and put them to work at ZS Associates. As a Business Technology Solutions Associate, he plays a crucial role in enterprise data governance for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences sectors. His work centers on connecting technical capabilities with strategic business solutions—translating complex data into impactful decisions.
Using Data with a Business Mindset
Before enrolling in the MSBA program, Chaim did not have a formal background in analytics. That changed quickly. “The program showed me the capabilities of using data with a business mindset,” he reflects. “It taught me how to speak and work with others through problems, teach myself how to learn especially when it came to new capabilities within data analytics and technology, and apply all these things with challenging projects. I gained a good perspective on how to develop new skills and navigate through intuitive platforms.”
One of the defining experiences for him was the consulting capstone, a signature offering of the program. “It really helped me understand how to structure a problem, think about the answer, communicate findings and plans to a client—and work with a team to deliver the best results.”
It’s with these integral skills that Chaim began his analytics career as a data scientist with AGCO, a three-time MSBA capstone company sponsor. He says: “I was a data scientist working on a lot of internal initiatives whether it was utilizing machine learning to optimize inventory of machine parts, pioneering an LLM tool for enhanced pricing analyses, or even outlier detection tools using advanced mathematical modeling. It was a great learning experience in the constantly changing world of data science where researching and having a self-starter mindset is crucial.”
Communication Is Key
For current and prospective students, Chaim offers practical advice: “Use the time to learn how to work with others on projects, case studies, etc. Think about how if you were working in a real business setting, how you would work with a manager, a stakeholder, or even an external client and push for productive and effective results. The technical skills will follow but communicating your findings so that everyone understands how or what has been achieved to continue onto the next steps is the hardest part.”
When reflecting on his first position and how it helped him shift into his current consulting role, Chaim says it was all about honing in on business communication. He cites that “a lot of times you can have a super technical and analytically savvy person, but when it’s time to present results and they can’t showcase the findings or conclusions effectively, then all that progress is lost. So also think about the importance of telling the story, avoiding over complication of the flow, and maintaining clear communication.”
With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW–Madison, Chaim continues to exemplify what it means to be a double-Badger: adaptive, analytical, and always ready to tackle complex challenges.
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