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Aakif Lalani

Master of Business Administration

Aakif Lalani is what future business leadership looks like.

One who can wrangle big data. And then translate complex data into actionable business insights.

Lalani does exactly that as a business analyst on the Global Data Analytics, AI & Innovation team at Ashley Furniture. He develops business intelligence dashboards and AI-driven models. He streamlines operations, optimizes sales forecasting and store operations, and enhances automation.

The USF alumnus is pursuing an MBA at his alma mater and is on track to graduate in 2025. In 2023, Lalani graduated as a King O’Neal scholar. He earned a 4.0 GPA for his coursework in business analytics and information systems. As an MBA student, he's continued his perfect grades. He's also giving back as an MBA Ambassador. As an ambassador, he supports his peers and guides prospective students through the admissions process.

Born in India, Lalani immigrated to the U.S. at age 5, witnessing his parents' resilience as they built a business in Tampa. Their sacrifices instilled in him a strong work ethic and a drive to merge traditional commerce with modern analytics.

Outside of the classroom, Lalani volunteers in his local community. As the head of data management and analysis, he optimizes processes that support K-12 education.

Looking ahead, Lalani plans to continue at Ashley. He wants to leverage his analytical expertise to drive business innovation. USF has provided the foundation for him to honor his parents’ legacy. Above all, he is bridging commerce and technology to create a lasting impact.