Experience Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Carissa Sanchez. Carissa is a graduate in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2020 and currently works as an Investment Associate for Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, an impact-driven venture capital firm focused on investing in Indigenous and Native American businesses. We talk with Carissa about her journey to Darden, how her career has progress...

In this special edition of the podcast, we are excited to share another installment from our ongoing Women@Darden event series featuring Carolyn Miles (MBA ’88). Career-wise, Carolyn Miles (MBA ’88) has seemingly done it all. She’s worked in corporate America for a Fortune 500 company, been an entrepreneur overseas, taught in higher education, and served as CEO for a global NGO. Now, she’s back in...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Alys Herbert. Alys is a first year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2026, and she is the new VP, Academics for the Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) student organization, VP, Careers for the Darden Technology Club, as well as a Forte Ambassador. We talk with Alys about her decision to pursue an MBA, what she has enjoyed about her first...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Ben and Paige Foote. Ben is a second year student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025, and he and his wife Paige, a registered dietitian and athlete, have a venture called Noogs , whose signature product is a gummy sports chew with a sour coating, loaded with electrolytes and nutrients needed by endurance athletes on the go. We talk with Ben and...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Lucy Alexander. Lucy is a graduate in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2001, and she currently works for Astra Zeneca as Executive Director, Head of Lean Digital Intelligence, Global Supply Chain & Strategy. We talk with her about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, how her career has unfolded and developed, her favorite me...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Emily Anthony. Emily is a graduate in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2023, and she currently works for Dick’s Sporting Goods in their Real Estate Strategy & Operations area. We talk with her about her decision to pursue an MBA, how her career goals evolved during her time in Charlottesville, how time at Darden has been helpful to her at Dic...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Sterling Dixon and Alberto Ramirez. Sterling and Alberto are first year students in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2026, and they are also members of the Student Admissions Committee. We talk with Sterling and Alberto about their decision to pursue an MBA, what led them to Darden, what attracted them to serving on the Student Admissions Committ...

During this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Mel Phillips. Mel is a first year student in our Full-Time MBA Class of 2026, and we talk with him about his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, highlights from his first year and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the  Discover Darden Admissions blog  and follow us on Inst...

In this special edition of the podcast, we are excited to share another installment from our ongoing Women@Darden event series featuring Mandy Lozano (MBA ’09). Lozano is a Darden Foundation Board of Trustees member, and, in this wide-ranging conversation, she offers insights about her experience at Darden as well as lessons learned from her over 15 years working in large manufacturing, consumer g...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Adair Maynard. Adair a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025. Adair is the President of the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club, and she also has a venture – Memorial Tribute Legacy LLC. We talk with Adair about her background, her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, how her time at Darden has helped he...

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series. This episode features a conversation with Professors Christoph Herpfer and Marc Ruggiano, two faculty members involved with the Darden’s Health Care Initiative, hosted by the Institute for Business in Society. We talk with Chris and Marc about healthcare-r...

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series. This episode features a conversation with Vice Dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne and Professor Raj Venkatesan, Academic Directors for the LaCross Institute for Ethical AI at the Darden School of Business. We talk with Yael and Raj about their interest in AI, what...

In this special edition of the podcast, we catch up with Merav Frazier. Merav is the Senior Associate Director of Global Recruitment, and she also works closely with candidates on the waiting list for UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA program. Merav shares more about what the waitlist decision means, the waitlist process, next steps for candidates on the waitlist and more.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series. This episode features a conversation with Rodney Sullivan and Caitlin Boyer with Darden’s Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management. The Mayo Center advances the study and practice of responsible asset management globally through developing and deliverin...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Andrew Yowell. Andrew is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025, and he is also a Future Year Scholar. We talk with Andrew about his decision to pursue an MBA, what attracted him to the Future Year Scholars Program, how he figured out the right time for him to enroll in business school, what he’s enjoyed about his Darden e...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Richie Todd. Richie is a second year student in UVA Darden's Full-Time MBA Class of 2025, and he is also the President of the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) club. We talk with Richie about his background, his decision to pursue an MBA, why he's passionate about entrepreneurship, what the ETA club has planned for the months ahead and more...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Dan Smith. Dan is a first year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2026, and he is also a Future Year Scholar. We talk with Dan about his background, his decision to pursue an MBA, what attracted him to the Future Year Scholar Program, what he’s enjoyed about his first year and more. Dan also spent significant time as a youth soccer coach...

In this episode of the podcast, we spotlight this year’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) Conference. The conference is an annual event that kicks off the recruiting cycle for GWIB members and also offers members opportunity for leadership and professional development. We talk with two second year students in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025, Meredith Johnson and Jin “JJ” Jiang who serve...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Matt Rafferty. Matt is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025, and we talk with him about his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Charlottesville, the impact of his time at Darden and more. Matt is passionate about entrepreneurship, and we talk with him about his venture experience and how Darden and the Batten Inst...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jack Alexander. Jack is an MBA/M.Ed dual degree student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025. We talk with Jack about his background, his experience as a Teach for America volunteer, hang gliding, his decision to pursue an MBA/M.Ed dual degree, his experience in the Prison Re-Entry Education Program (PREP), serving as a Second Year Coach and...

In this special edition of the podcast, we are excited to share another installment from our ongoing Women@Darden event series featuring Professor Melanie Prengler. Prengler is an Assistant Professor in the Leadership and Organizational Behavior area, and her research focuses on the future of work, specifically alternative work arrangements and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has studied thi...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Custis Coleman. Custis is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025, and he is also the President of the Darden Outdoors Club. We talk with Custis about his background, his decision to pursue an MBA, what he’s enjoyed about his time at Darden, what the Outdoors Club has planned for the months ahead and more. For more insights...

In this episode of the podcast, we spotlight UVA’s MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) program with a conversation with Jingjing Li. Li is the Andersen Alumni Associate Professor of Commerce at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce, and she also serves as one of the Directors of the MSBA program. Li’s research interests are in artificial intelligence and big data analytics, with applications spanning sear...

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Madelyn Merchant. Madelyn is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025, and we talk with her about her background, what led her to Darden, her work with Darden’s Net Impact Board Fellows student organization, the annual Darden ski trips and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to che...

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Gabrielle “Gabe” Adams. Adams is a behavioral scientist, with a joint appointment as an associate professor of public policy (Batten) and business administration (Darden: Leadership and Organizational Behavior area). She studi...