Summer Internship with Glioblastoma Foundation
Marie-Lena Olma, Daytime MBA 2026
This summer, I served as an MBA Strategy & Marketing Intern with the Glioblastoma Foundation in Durham, NC, a nonprofit whose mission is to transform glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, from terminal to treatable. I joined at a pivotal moment, as the Foundation prepared to start operations at Gliolab, the first CLIA-certified genomic testing laboratory dedicated exclusively to glioblastoma.
My work focused on developing the go-to-market strategy for Gliolab, identifying creative ways to expand the Foundation’s impact, and designing a large-scale fundraising event to raise awareness and support. I applied competitive analysis, pricing, financial modeling, and marketing insights to nonprofit strategy with the ultimate goal of making Gliolab’s genomic tests accessible to every patient, regardless of insurance status. Each week, I had the opportunity to present my progress and recommendations directly to the CEO, gaining valuable feedback and leadership insights.
The internship reinforced a key lesson I’ve long observed: nonprofits and private companies have much to learn from one another. For instance, nonprofits often excel in creative resourcefulness and a strong mission focus, while business frameworks can amplify impact. Applying my MBA skills in a nonprofit context not only demonstrated how business tools can drive innovation and strengthen organizations that change lives but also deepened my commitment to building synergies between the nonprofit and private sectors. Looking ahead, I aim to build a career at the intersection of business and social impact, translating lessons from mission-driven organizations into the private sector and developing scalable solutions that deliver measurable societal benefits alongside sustainable growth.
This internship was supported by the Summer Internship Fund, which enables first-year Duke MBA students to learn about the rewards and challenges of using business to drive positive impact without making a significant financial sacrifice. The program enables organizations that otherwise could not afford to hire MBA student interns to benefit from students’ expertise. Funds are raised through student fundraising and from donors who believe in the mission of the program. If you would like to contribute, you can donate online using your credit card.