Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
For two-time CSUSB alumna Diana Melendez ’24, ’23, growth has always been intentional. As co-founder and chief operating officer of Immigify, a tech-driven platform simplifying U.S. immigration, she built her company with vision, resilience and instinct, guiding its early success from the ground up. But as both her business and leadership responsibilities expanded, Melendez recognized the need to sharpen her decision-making with deeper strategy and structure.
That drive to evolve led her back to CSUSB, where she enrolled in the university’s online, AACSB-accredited MBA for Executives program, offered through the College of Extended and Global Education. Rather than stepping away from her work, Melendez chose to strengthen her impact within it — leveraging a CSUSB education to refine her leadership, elevate her business and continue growing with purpose in an increasingly complex business landscape.
Building a company while building new skills
Melendez didn’t pause her career to grow — she grew in real time. As a chief operating officer, she was actively navigating the realities of scaling a startup: refining operations, identifying market opportunities and preparing for investment. What made her experience different was how quickly learning translated into action.
“I pursued the MBA to become a more strategic operator and leader — not just for my own growth, but to better serve my team and our clients,” said Melendez.
Through her coursework, she began to approach challenges with new frameworks. Concepts from data-driven decision-making and marketing strategy didn’t stay in the classroom, they showed up immediately in her business. She adjusted pricing models, strengthened CRM systems and refined how Immigify connected with its audience.
At CSUSB, the executive MBA experience is designed for professionals already leading teams, budgets and strategy, making it possible to apply learning in real time. For Melendez, that meant every insight had a direct impact.
From insight to impact
What set Melendez apart wasn’t just what she learned — it was how quickly and intentionally she put it into action. Courses like Data-Driven Decision Making and Marketing became immediately applicable.
Her efforts helped accelerate Immigify’s growth:
- Secured more than $200,000 in early-stage investment
- Officially launched the company in August 2024, the same month she earned her MBA
- Reached $78,000 in annual recurring revenue within four months
- Maintained 20% month-over-month growth
“The program allowed me to make more informed and confident decisions,” said Melendez.
Her transformation as a leader was just as significant as the company’s growth.
“Before the MBA, I led with instinct,” she added. “Now I lead with strategy.”
Melendez’s ability to grow without stepping away from her company was key. The flexibility of CSUSB’s fully online format allowed her to stay embedded in her work while the program’s AACSB accreditation — held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide — reflected the level of rigor she was stepping into. National recognition, including U.S. News & World Report rankings, reinforced that she was gaining not just knowledge, but a credential with weight.
More importantly, the structure of the program aligned with how she needed to learn: apply immediately, refine quickly and lead with greater intention.
“This program is a high-impact, high-value experience,” said Melendez. “It’s not about checking the MBA box — it’s about becoming a more capable, informed and visionary leader.”