Franchise Leadership Scholarship

Seymura Baghirova is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at Babson College with a concentration in International Marketing. Originally from Azerbaijan, she is passionate about global business, cultural exchange, and the power of communication to bridge diverse perspectives. At Babson, Seymura is an active member of several organizations, serving as Treasurer for both the Babson Economics Club and the Social Impact Club, and as Vice President of Marketing for the Babson Chess Club. She also works as a Peer Mentor and First-Year Ambassador, helping new students navigate campus life and adjust to the Babson community.

Her professional experience includes a marketing and communications internship at Techinnova S.p.A. in Milan, where she contributed to international branding initiatives and digital outreach efforts. Fluent in five languages—Azerbaijani, English, Turkish, Russian, and Italian—Seymura brings a global mindset and creative perspective to everything she does. Outside of academics, she enjoys mentoring others, engaging in cross-cultural activities, and exploring how marketing can drive positive social impact.

Originally from Pakistan and raised in Oman, Adnan Ahmad Javed developed an early interest in business by observing petrol station franchising and operations. This experience sparked his curiosity about how established brands expand, businesses operate, and franchising creates economic opportunities. His experiences in research, community service, journalism, and government have broadened his understanding of the intersection between business, policy, and social impact. He hopes to explore how these fields can work together to address challenges and create lasting change.

Katherine MacKnight is a junior at Babson College concentrating in Real Estate. Originally from Trumbull, Connecticut, she is passionate about urban planning, interior design, and residential development. At Babson, she serves as a Peer Tutoring Lead for Microeconomics, Resident Assistant, and member of the Babson Real Estate Club. She hopes to pursue a career in real estate development, exploring how entrepreneurship, franchising, and thoughtful design can create meaningful spaces that strengthen businesses and communities.

Lila Purvis is a senior at Babson College from Brooklyn, New York. Through Babson’s Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship program, she discovered her passion for entrepreneurship and franchising as pathways to business ownership. Her experiences in events and marketing have strengthened her understanding of how brands connect with communities. As a Tariq Farid Franchise Institute Scholar, she hopes to make franchising more accessible to students while working toward her long-term goal of owning franchises herself.

As a first-generation college student and the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, Sarone is passionate about using business to create opportunities and positive change. Her interests include international business, consulting, and franchising, particularly how businesses expand while remaining connected to their communities. Through the Tariq Farid Franchise Institute, she hopes to learn from industry professionals, strengthen her leadership and marketing skills, and help make franchising more accessible to the Babson community.

Joel Yeo is a junior at Babson College concentrating in Applied AI and a President’s AI Innovation Fellow. He works with Babson’s AI team and the Tariq Farid Franchise Institute to explore AI applications in franchising. He is also co-founder and managing partner of Solvrin Group, a data and AI consulting firm serving multi-location businesses. At Babson’s AI lab, the Generator, he serves as a Partnership Associate and secured a $5,000 Anthropic sponsorship for the Buildathon.

I became interested in franchising after researching the entry of Burger King and KFC into Ghana. I believe franchising can bridge local innovation with global opportunities, especially in food services and construction. My leadership experience and business background have prepared me to scale ventures in Ghana. This scholarship will help me deepen my understanding and support aspiring entrepreneurs.

Shamima Ahmed, from Queens, New York City, is concentrating in Marketing at Babson College. Her interest in franchising and entrepreneurship stems from personal experience and a strong drive for financial independence. Growing up in Queens, she witnessed how business ownership can uplift communities and create meaningful opportunities. That exposure inspired her to challenge social norms, build scalable ventures, and empower others—especially within underrepresented communities.

After graduation, Shamima plans to launch and scale multiple businesses, including franchises and fashion ventures, that merge innovation with community impact. She hopes to inspire more representation in entrepreneurial spaces and motivate others to pursue financial independence and break generational barriers. In addition to her studies, Shamima runs her own clothing brand, Endless Beauty, reflecting her creativity and commitment to empowering others through self-expression.

I grew up immersed in the world of entrepreneurship, watching my father build and scale his remodeling business from the ground up. Working alongside him, I gained firsthand experience in business operations, from project management to leveraging AI tools that streamlined processes and improved efficiency. Now a first-generation college student and Presidential Scholar at Babson, I am passionate about international business, consulting, franchising, and tech entrepreneurship. I envision franchising as a powerful vehicle for global business expansion, not only empowering entrepreneurs but also creating a lasting impact on communities worldwide. Recognizing that many business owners may not know the steps to scale internationally, I am dedicated to providing them with the necessary resources and strategic guidance to bridge the gap between ambition and execution, ensuring sustainable and innovative growth on a global scale.

Originally from Windsor, Connecticut, Joshua Bell is concentrating in Technology Entrepreneurship at Babson College. His passion for innovation stems from an early fascination with turning ideas into tangible solutions. What began in high school as a curiosity for automation and AI tools to solve everyday problems has grown into a deep commitment to entrepreneurship and building systems that help others.

Joshua is the founder of Profit Processes, a growth marketing company focused on helping businesses use technology to scale more efficiently. After graduation, he plans to continue growing the company while mentoring young founders who are beginning their entrepreneurial journeys. His long-term goal is to develop products and systems that expand opportunity—just as entrepreneurship has done for him.

Outside of business, Joshua finds balance through basketball and hiking. Basketball fuels his competitive drive and sharpens his quick thinking, while hiking allows him to slow down, reflect, and find perspective—two forces that together keep him grounded and inspired.

Paul Bogere, from Kampala, Uganda, is concentrating in Computational and Mathematical Finance at Babson College. His passion for entrepreneurship and franchising is deeply rooted in the everyday ingenuity he witnessed growing up in Uganda. One of his earliest inspirations was a neighborhood vendor who started by selling roasted maize and eventually taught other women to replicate her business—unknowingly creating a micro-franchise model. That experience shaped Paul’s belief in franchising as a powerful tool for shared success—one that provides structure, accessibility, and opportunity without stifling creativity.

Paul believes franchising demystifies entrepreneurship and makes business ownership attainable for people who have the drive but lack a clear roadmap. Looking ahead, he plans to begin his career in the financial services industry and ultimately contribute to transforming Uganda’s financial landscape. His goal is to help develop systems and solutions that combine global innovation with local realities, strengthening the country’s participation in the global economy. Outside the classroom, Paul enjoys bungee jumping and exploring his passion for the culinary arts.

Paul Coughlin, from Manchester, Massachusetts, is concentrating in Strategy and Consulting at Babson College. His interest in entrepreneurship was shaped by his family’s story of perseverance and ambition. Paul’s grandfather immigrated from Ireland with limited resources and went on to build a successful real estate portfolio across Greater Boston—a legacy that inspired Paul to pursue his own entrepreneurial path. From selling Christmas trees in his hometown to launching a venture through Babson’s Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship course, he continues to explore new ways to create and lead.

Paul is interested in a career in management consulting, where he hopes to combine his passion for strategy and entrepreneurship. In the long term, he aspires to pursue a more entrepreneurial venture, potentially within the franchising space, drawing on the many inspiring examples he’s encountered at Babson and beyond. Outside of academics, Paul enjoys playing pickleball with friends, a hobby that keeps him active and connected.

I have always been interested in starting my own business, and franchising is a topic I had only briefly explored before applying to Babson. However, once accepted, I had an opportunity to attend a seminar about Babson’s centers and institutes at the admitted students’ day back in April of 2024. I resonated with the idea of being able to explore specific parts of the business world through these organizations and was curious to learn more. I have since discovered the many opportunities presented by franchising, which led me to apply for the Leadership Scholarship. My goals are to continue to learn more about the industry and all it has to offer.

I am pursuing a career in entrepreneurship and finance. My passion for franchising stems from my family's small business—a Spanish catering company inspired by my father's birthplace. Our dream is to open a restaurant in the next few years and, eventually, explore opportunities to expand our business through franchising.

My goal is to gain as much experience as possible during my college career to apply the knowledge and skills I acquire to our family business. This summer, I am excited to be joining Inspire Brands as a Franchise Finance Intern under Dunkin' Brands. I look forward to learning about the restaurant and franchise industry, gaining insights into financial operations, and connecting with professionals in the field.

Michael Greystone is a senior at Babson College concentrating in Real Estate and Entrepreneurship. He thrives at the intersection of strategic deal-making and practical, on-the-ground impact. His journey in real estate began with a deep curiosity about how physical spaces shape communities and has since evolved into leading club initiatives, forming partnerships, and closing deals in Boston’s competitive market.

Recently, Michael has developed a strong interest in franchising high-potential small businesses—particularly those with limited exposure in the U.S. or New England markets. With plans to leverage the entrepreneurial mindset and network he has built at Babson, Michael is committed to applying Entrepreneurial Thought and Action to bring scalable, community-driven ventures to life after graduation.

My passion for business and operations stems from my upbringing in the Dominican Republic and my experiences navigating new cultures in the U.S. Before attending Babson, I knew little about franchising. It wasn’t until I immersed myself in my business studies that I discovered how powerful franchising can be as a vehicle for economic growth, entrepreneurship, and community development. Learning about franchise models has broadened my perspective, showing me how they can create accessible pathways to business ownership—especially for those who might not have traditional opportunities.

This realization has inspired me to not only pursue a career in franchise operations and financial strategy but also to educate underrepresented communities about franchising. Many individuals, like myself before college, may not even know this path exists. My goal is to bridge that gap by ensuring more people—particularly in Latin America have the knowledge and resources to explore franchise ownership as a means of economic empowerment.

Sebastian Rosing, the founder of Loans Academy in Miami, Florida, is dedicated to transforming financial decision-making using AI. As an Entrepreneurship student, he has gained expertise in AI, startup management, lead generation marketing, crypto, and fintech, providing him with a unique perspective on innovation in today’s world. He is passionate about franchising, implementing the franchise model into his family business, and aspires to support innovative startups as a future venture capitalist.