Who is Aahil Makhani from Jeopardy?
Aahil Makhani is a supply chain and operations professional based in the Atlanta area who is currently pursuing an MBA at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School as part of the Class of 2027. His interest in business operations began early, shaped by hands-on experience helping his father manage the family’s gas station and convenience store.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Makhani moved to the United States as a young child and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. Working in the family business introduced him to customer service, inventory management, vendor coordination, and the daily challenges of running an operation. These early responsibilities sparked a lasting interest in logistics and operational efficiency while also shaping his leadership approach, grounded in empathy, integrity, and practical problem solving.
The experience provided a real-world foundation that later influenced both his academic focus and professional direction.
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Academic Success and National Trivia Competition
Makhani earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Supply Chain Management from Auburn University in May 2021, along with a minor in French. During his time at Auburn, he was deeply involved in campus life through organizations such as the Auburn University Organizations Board, Lobby Board, Emerge at Auburn, Camp War Eagle, and Auburn Quiz Bowl.
His academic performance was supported by scholarships, including funding from the Material Handling Education Foundation Inc. (MHEFI), which helped minimize his educational costs during his senior year. He also gained national exposure through his participation in NBC’s College Bowl, representing Auburn in a high-level academic competition.
Before college, he attended the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, where a rigorous academic environment helped develop his analytical thinking and global perspective.
Professional Experience Across Operations and Logistics
After graduating, Makhani began his career with Target, following a six-week internship at a 2.1 million-square-foot e-commerce fulfillment center in Savannah, Georgia. As an Operations Manager, he supervised outbound workflows, scheduled staff, assigned responsibilities, and analyzed performance data to improve efficiency.
He later expanded his experience through analytical roles in Atlanta. At Carter’s, he worked as a Pricing and Inventory Analyst, focusing on demand planning and inventory strategy. He then joined The Home Depot as a Logistics Analyst on the Material Handling Equipment Strategy Team, where he supported large-scale operational planning, process improvement, and equipment optimization.
This progression across frontline operations, inventory management, and strategic logistics gave him a comprehensive understanding of supply chain management from execution to long-term planning.
Advancing Toward Strategy and Leadership
Now at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, Makhani is preparing for the next stage of his career. As a Consortium Fellow, he is active in the Goizueta Consulting Association and the General Management and Operations Club, while also participating in identity-focused communities such as the Goizueta Pride Association and The Consortium.
His post-MBA goal is to move into strategy and operations consulting, where he plans to combine analytical insight with practical operational experience. Over the long term, he aims to move into executive leadership, bringing frontline knowledge into strategic decision-making to help organizations design solutions that work effectively in practice.
His technical strengths include advanced data analysis and process optimization, supported by a Microsoft Office Specialist Excel 2016 Expert certification.
Trivia, Community, and Personal Interests
Outside of his academic and professional work, Makhani remains active in trivia and community engagement. He has hosted trivia events across the metro Atlanta area and has appeared on national television programs including NBC’s College Bowl and Fox’s The 1% Club.
His interests reflect a broader focus on learning and connection. He enjoys exploring Atlanta neighborhoods, visiting local coffee shops, and building strong personal and professional relationships. Fluent in English and Urdu and conversational in French, he brings a multilingual and multicultural perspective to both his work and personal life.
Volunteer service has also been an important part of his experience, including roles with Southeast Camp Mosaic as a camp counselor, content coordinator, and supply coordinator.
Aahil Makhani at a Glance
Name: Aahil Makhani
Location and Residence: Atlanta/Decatur, Georgia; originally from Karachi, Pakistan and raised in Birmingham, Alabama
Profession: MBA Candidate, Emory Goizueta Business School (Class of 2027)
Previous Roles: Logistics Analyst, The Home Depot (2022–2025); Pricing and Inventory Analyst, Carter’s (2022); Operations Manager, Target (2021); Distribution Operations Intern, Target (2020)
Age: 26 (born approximately 1998–1999)
Gender: Male
Nationality and Ethnicity: American; Pakistani origin / South Asian
Education: MBA in progress, Emory University; B.S. in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management (Minor in French), Auburn University; Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School
Notable Achievements: Consortium Fellow; MHEFI scholarship recipient; Microsoft Office Specialist Excel Expert
Media and Trivia: Competitor on NBC’s College Bowl and Fox’s The 1% Club; trivia host in metro Atlanta
Languages: English, Urdu, French
Career Goal: Strategy and operations consulting with long-term ambitions for executive leadership in operations and business strategy
