Evening MBA gives Gabriel Evans skills to become transformative leader within water, infrastructure industries

Gabriel Evans (Evening MBA '26) sought out an MBA program that would not only allow him to continue working at the US Water Alliance while pursuing further education but also had an emphasis on building impactful and transformative leaders.

It began with a question: "How can we build systems that work better for people and the planet?" Trying to find a way to answer this question is what led Gabriel Evans (Evening MBA '26) to ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business.

Evans had been working at the US Water Alliance — a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable water management and policies — as a program associate, with a focus on inclusive workforce strategies. Working in this field has inspired him to seek changes that benefit the communities and the environment as a whole.

"I realized that to truly scale change, I needed more than passion and policy experience," Evans says. "I needed a deeper understanding of business, finance, and innovation. It became clear that the best ideas can’t succeed without sustainable, strategic models behind them."

So Evans sought out an MBA program that would not only allow him to continue working full-time while pursuing further education but also had an emphasis on building impactful and transformative leaders, and he decided to come to the Evening MBA program at W. P. Carey.

Evans spoke with W. P. Carey about his journey through the MBA program, including study abroad experiences and taking part in the New Venture Challenge, and how that's influenced his future career path.

Why W. P. Carey?

The Evening MBA program at W. P. Carey gave Evans the flexibility to continue working at the US Water Alliance while studying, as well as participating in other projects he is involved in, including mentoring young professionals and serving on boards and committees.

"Life doesn’t pause when you start an MBA, but W. P. Carey’s design makes balance possible," he says. "Being able to pace my coursework while staying fully engaged in my professional and personal commitments has allowed me to bring real-time insights from class into the field, and vice versa."

While in the program, Evans has taken advantage of the many opportunities that are available to students at W. P. Carey and ASU. One is the New Venture Challenge, which is an annual course for student entrepreneurs to build and grow a business while competing for a significant financial investment.

"The New Venture Challenge pushed me to think like a builder," says Evans. "As someone who often lives in big picture theoretical and systemic thinking, this experience sharpened my entrepreneurial mindset."

He adds, "I now approach problems not just as social challenges, but as opportunities for sustainable business solutions. That shift has already influenced how I lead and think through problems."

Evans also took part in a study abroad program in Germany to learn more about global sustainability practices. He describes the experience as incredibly impactful in how he thinks about integrating social and environmental issues with business ideas.

"I saw firsthand how policy, technology, and equity can align to create resilient, people-centered systems," he says. "It affirmed my belief that solving water and workforce issues requires both local leadership and global awareness."

Why an MBA?

A driving force for Evans to pursue his MBA was the development of his skills in areas such as finance and data analysis. Not only has he been able to do so, but his MBA coursework has made the process of learning these skills an enjoyable one.

"Coming from a sociology background, I didn’t expect to find energy in spreadsheets, but learning how to tell a story with data has been powerful," says Evans. "It’s not just about numbers; it’s about seeing the systems underneath problems and building solutions that are sustainable, scalable, and equitable. That mindset shift has made me a better strategist and leader."

Throughout his time in the program, Evans has seen himself develop into a stronger, more confident leader, which he knows will help him achieve his career goals.

"Through my courses and with my cohort, I’m learning how to drive decisions with data and design sustainable business models," he says. "The program’s focus on innovation, systems thinking, and ethics is directly aligned with the kind of leader I’m becoming."

What's next?

Evans's goals for himself after completing his MBA go back to that initial question that prompted this journey. He plans to take both the hard skills and leadership mindset he's developed in the program to make impactful, positive changes for communities and their water resources.

"My goal is to become a transformational leader in the water and infrastructure sector — someone who can move between boardrooms, communities, and policy tables with equal fluency," he says. "I want to build scalable programs that address critical issues like workforce aging, water affordability, and equitable access to green jobs."

For others who are considering the MBA path for themselves, Evans advises them to think about their reasons for pursuing the degree and have a goal in mind.

"This program is for people who want to lead with both heart and strategy," he says. "My advice: Know your 'why' before you apply. Talk to alumni, get clear on your goals, and be ready to challenge yourself in ways you didn’t expect."