Dream big, serve better: How a Kellogg MBA fueled innovation at the VA

“I tell everyone interested in a career in innovation to dream big; nothing is impossible,” says Indra Sandal ’17 MBA.

Sandal, who serves as chief of innovation at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has approached her own life with the same attitude. Growing up with a strong sense of military pride, she knew early on that her long-term professional ambitions would be deeply tied to service.

Supporting nine million veterans, the VA is the nation’s largest healthcare provider. For Sandal, the opportunity to create large-scale impact remains her North Star.

As a scientist with a PhD in biotechnology, Sandal held numerous academic research roles before pivoting in 2014 to become a biologist at the VA in Memphis.

There, she realized that creating greater impact would require an MBA. To grow as a leader, and close skills gaps in management, communications and negotiations, Sandal and her husband, Satish Annadata ’17 MBA, developed a plan. “If we were going to get our MBAs, they had to be from the best school,” she says. “Kellogg was the only school that we applied to.”

After completing her Executive MBA at Kellogg, Sandal was promoted to director of innovation in the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) Innovators Network for the Memphis VA Medical Center. Since then, she has held several prominent innovation roles within the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, including serving as a VHA Innovation fellow and a VHA Executive Management fellow.

In 2022, Sandal spearheaded the launch of the VHA-Uber Health Connect initiative as an answer to the largest barrier for veterans and healthcare: transportation. The public-private partnership helps veterans get to and from their appointments. Through the initial pilot, 3,600 veterans received 22,000 Uber Health rides, and VA Medical Center facilities were able to save $25 million. 

“Kellogg really prepared me for my experiences with the VA and launching the VHA-Uber Health Connect initiative,” she says. “The focus on team building during my MBA was beyond valuable. Without collaboration and teamwork, you can’t accomplish your biggest goals.”

Learn more about the Veterans at Kellogg program, a reflection of the Kellogg commitment to welcoming veterans and enhancing their transition from military service to civilian careers.