The ExecMBA Podcast

Bob McMurtry (Class of 2022) is the Director of Finance for a boarding school in the Charlottesville area. We talk with Bob about his MBA journey, how the program has helped him sharpen his time management skills, how he has juggled the demands of work, school and a growing family, and how he has been able to apply lessons from class in his work. We also touch upon Bob’s new role as a member of the Executive Student Association (ESA) leadership board, and we even find time to discuss Frank Herbert’s science fiction classic, Dune.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the third installment of our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Dennie Kim. We talk with Kim about his background growing up in New York City, how he knew he wanted to be a teacher, what attracted him to healthcare and how COVID-19 has highlighted challenges and inequities in the US healthcare system. Kim also shares his advice for MBA students considering a career in healthcare.

Susanna Klein (Class of 2022) built her career with luxury fashion brands like Chanel before coming to Darden. We chat with Susanna about her MBA journey, how she has leveraged the learnings from class in her work, and why she intentionally chose a business school program outside of her base location in New York City. Susanna also shares reflections on her 12 years at Chanel, and how the brand deepened her understanding and appreciation of French history and culture.

Marina Peddy’s (Class of 2022) initial inspiration to pursue her MBA actually came from her father, who also participated in an Executive MBA program. We chat with Marina about her human resources career path, what led her to Darden, Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment (naturally) and how she has applied the lessons from the program even in her family life. She also shares and why now is the right time to pursue an MBA.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the second installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Kinda Hachem. We talk with Hachem about growing up in Toronto, what initially sparked her interest in Economics, her “Economics of Money and Banking” course and more. We also check in about a number of hot topics in Economics, including the current U.S. debate about inflation, K-shaped recoveries on a global scale, the greatest current threat to the banking system, and the concept of a global corporate tax rate.

Will Payne (Class of 2022) focuses on bringing business opportunity to Southwest Virginia. Will has deep roots in politics, and we discuss the steps that brought him to pursue an MBA, what he loves about his current work in economic development and how Darden has offered him an opportunity to be the student he always wanted to be. We also talk about Appalachian Grains, his craft grain business that has supplies grains to distilleries and breweries across the Commonwealth, including Charlottesville’s own Three Notch’d Brewery.

First year Executive MBA student Jemuir Rivers (Class of 2022) is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a test pilot in the United States Navy. In this podcast, we talk with Rivers about his decision to pursue an MBA, how classes are going so far, the important role his Learning Team has played in these first few quarters and what he believes really matters in an MBA program. Spoiler alert: It’s about more than just numbers.

Executive MBA students Catriona Stadtler-Ayer (Class of 2022) and Sean Taylor (Class of 2022) are card-carrying members of the “full plate club,” as parents, pet owners, working professionals and now leaders of the Executive Student Association (ESA). We connected with Catriona and Sean to discuss what led them to Darden for an MBA and what the ESA hopes to accomplish in the months ahead.

We caught up with Director of Venture Programs for the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (and friend of our Admissions podcasts) Jason Brewster to talk about the current state of the venturing at Darden. He also shares insights about effectuation, resources available to Darden student entrepreneurs and reading recommendations for aspiring venturers.

Prior to Darden, First Year Sarah Lihan (Class of 2022) competed in the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and she has spent her professional career thinking about mobility for companies like Lyft and Spin. We recently connected with Sarah via Zoom to talk about her MBA journey and how things are going in the program so far.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we’re pleased to share our recent Office Hours conversation with Darden Professor Rich Evans. We talk with Evans about his background, what led him to Darden, what he enjoys about teaching Finance through the case method and more. We also find time to hear Evans’ thoughts about a number of Finance-related “hot topics” – SPACs, GameStop, Bitcoin and the current state of the U.S. stock market.

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Connie Dunlop, Executive Director for Professional Advancement at the Darden School. Connie leads a Quarter 1 course in UVA Darden’s Executive MBA Program – the Professional Advancement Course (PAC) – and we recently connected with her via Zoom to talk about her career advancement-related PhD dissertation.

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Caroline Darney. Caroline is a first year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2022, and we recently connected with her via Zoom to talk more about her background, how she decided to pursue an MBA and how things are going in the program so far. We even found time to talk a little UVA men’s basketball (after all, March Madness is right around the corner).

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Perry Kaneriya. Perry is a first year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2022, and he is also a radiologist. We recently connected with Perry via Zoom to talk about his background, his decision to pursue an MBA, how he chose a general management MBA and how things are going in the program as he and his classmates wrap up Quarter 3.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Emily McMahan. Emily is a member of our Executive MBA Class of 2010, and she recently co-founded and launched an investment group for U.S. Service Academy graduates, the Academy Investor Network. We recently connected with Emily via Zoom to talk with about her background, what led her to Darden and how her Darden experience has shaped and influenced her career.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Nate Scott. Nate is a first year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2022, and he is also the Managing Editor for USA Today’s For the Win. We recently connected with Nate via Zoom to talk about his MBA journey, what led him to Darden and how things are going so far. We also found time to talk about Nate’s USA Today/Wondery podcast, The Sneak.

In the special episode of the podcast, we catch up with Bobby Parmar. Bobby is an Associate Professor of Business Administration and the Shannon Smith Emerging Scholar in Business here at the Darden School, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about the movie he recently produced, Fishing with Dynamite, why he thinks stakeholder theory is gaining traction with more and more business leaders and how he feels Darden’s ethical approach prepares students for the long run.

In this episode of the podcast, we explore the value of the Darden experience for healthcare professionals. This conversation was originally recorded as part of a webinar we hosted in late 2020, and participants include two current Executive MBA students – Luq Dad (Class of 2022) and Nicole Vij (Class of 2021) – as well as two recent alumni – Chris Thomson (EMBA ’19) and Leigh Webb (EMBA ’19). Collectivity they reflect a range of roles and experiences across the healthcare industry, and we caught up with them to talk about their decision to pursue an MBA, what led them to Darden, how the program has helped them grow and develop as leaders and more.

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Molly Just and Dillon Behr. Molly and Dillon are both second year students in our Executive MBA Class of 2021, and they are also married to one another. We recently connected with Molly and Dillon to talk about their respective decisions to pursue an MBA, what led them to Darden, how they have managed the demands of work, school and a young family, their advice for prospective students and much more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jason Lamb. Jason is a member of our Executive MBA Class of 2014, and he is also a veteran, serving as a Navy SEAL for over 20 years. After Darden, Jason launched his own business, The Hard Yards, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about his MBA journey as well as how his Darden experience and network have helped him with his venture.

In this special episode of the podcast, we catch up with Senior Associate Deans Tom Steenburgh and Yael Grushka-Cockayne. Tom and Yael are repeat guests on our Admissions podcasts, and we welcomed them back to talk about the fall semester and how Darden’s MBA programs – both Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA – adapted to the evolving COVID-19 landscape. During this wide-ranging conversation, Tom and Yael also share insights about the principles guiding the School’s planning efforts for the months ahead.

In this milestone 150th episode of the podcast, we welcome back Senior Associate Director of Admissions Katherine Alford. We recently connected with Katherine via Zoom to talk about how Executive MBA applicants can make the most of the upcoming winter break. If you are planning to apply for one our upcoming deadlines, this episode is essential listening.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two alumni from our Executive MBA program, Sam Calaway (EMBA ’20) and Pat Cerone (EMBA ’20). Sam and Pat both currently serve in the Navy, and we recently connected with them to talk about their MBA journeys and hear their thoughts on how an MBA – and specifically Darden’s Executive MBA program – can be of value to active duty service members seeking to climb within with the military.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two leaders of our Network of Executive Women (NEW) student organization, Caroline Clark and Anura Shrivastava. Caroline and Anura are both second year students in our Executive MBA Class of 2021, and we recently connected with them via Zoom to talk about how things are going, what NEW has been up to recently, their advice for prospective students and much more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Kevin Rivers. Kevin is a second year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2021, and he is also co-President of the Veteran Executive Students at Darden (VESD) student organization. We recently connected with Kevin via Zoom to talk about his MBA journey, what led him to Darden, what he enjoyed about his Brazil global residency, how the case method promotes accountability and much more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Peter Webb. Peter is a graduate in Darden’s Executive MBA Class of 2019, and he is also a former US Army Special Forces Officer. After graduating from Darden, Peter founded a hydroponic farming venture, Grow.DC, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about his background, how he decided to pursue an MBA, what inspired him to launch Grow.DC and much more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with the co-Presidents of our Black Executive MBA (BEMBA) student organization, Michael Long and Aja Sae-Kung. Michael and Aja are both second year students in our Executive MBA Class of 2021, and we recently connected with them via Zoom to talk about how things are going as the Executive MBA program pivots in response to COVID-19 and what BEMBA has been up to over the past few months.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with David Black and Heather Townsend. David and Heather are both graduates in our Executive MBA Class of 2019, and they recently launched a mental health-focused venture, Even Health. We recently connected with David and Heather via Zoom to talk more about their background, what led them to start a business, what Even Health is all about and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Janeth Gomez. Janeth is Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) format alumna from our Class of 2017, and we recently connected via Zoom to talk about her background, what led her to Darden, what attracted her to the GEMBA format, how her Darden experience has shaped and impacted her career and much more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Emily Harper. Emily is an EMBA format student in our Executive MBA Class of 2021, and we recently connected via Zoom to talk about her MBA journey, what led her to Darden. how she has balanced work, life and school and much more. Emily also shares her experience with the new hybrid class model as our Executive MBA program navigates the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jeremiah Newman. Jeremiah is a member of our Executive MBA Class of 2018, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about his MBA journey, what led him to Darden and how his Darden experience has helped him grow his Africa-inspired fashion start-up, Trubaker.

This episode is all about our Network of Executive Women (NEW) student organization. We recently connected with three Presidents of NEW – Caroline Clark (EMBA ’21), Amanda Richardson (EMBA ’19) and Kristine Campbell (EMBA ’18) – via Zoom to talk more about their backgrounds, how they decided to pursue an MBA, what led them to Darden and how the Network of Executive Women shaped and informed their Darden experience.

In this episode, we catch up with Claritza Jiménez. Claritza is a second year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2021, and she is also one of the co-President’s of our Executive MBA Entrepreneurship Club and a member of the Network of Executive Women student organization’s leadership team. Claritza is a journalist by trade, and we recently connected with her via Zoom to talk more about her background, how she decided to pursue an MBA, how her Darden experience has impacted her work and much more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Mike Rudolph. Mike is a graduate in the Executive MBA Class of 2018, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, his experience participating in the program while living in Boston, MA and how his time at Darden continues to inform and impact his work.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Alan Thompson. Alan is a member of our Executive MBA Class of 2018, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about how he decided to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, how he pivoted his career from the CIA to operating a Chick-fil-a in Washington, DC and how his business is weathering the coronavirus pandemic.

In special episode of Experience Darden and The ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Sean Carr, Executive Director of the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. We recently connected with Sean via Zoom to talk about Batten’s pivot to virtual programming, their slate of fall events, Darden’s resources and support for entrepreneurs and more. Sean is also the host of Darden’s Ideas to Action podcast – Be sure to check out this interview series featuring Darden faculty members

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Executive MBA alum Alison Williams. Alison graduated from Darden in 2015, and she is currently serving as a Chief of Staff for the Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson. We connected with Alison via Zoom to talk about her background, how she decided to pursue an MBA, how her Darden experience helps her in her current role and why she feels an MBA is value for policy professionals.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Dianne Oroz, an EMBA format student in our Class of 2021. Dianne is an architect and interior designer, and she helped design Darden’s Grounds in the Washington, DC area. We recently connected with Dianne via Zoom to talk more about her background, her decision to pursue an MBA, her Darden experience, her advice for prospective students and much more.

In this episode of the podcast we welcome back Senior Associate Director of Admissions Katherine Alford for a conversation all about the application for our Executive MBA Class of 2023. With the application launch slated for mid-August, Brett and Katherine share updates about this year’s application as well tips and insights for applicants targeting an August 2021 start date. Essential listening for Executive MBA applicants.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jake Corbin! Jake is a recent graduate in our Executive MBA Class of 2020, as well as a veteran and an entrepreneur. We recently connected with Jake via Zoom to talk about his background, his decision to pursue and MBA and how his Darden experience helped him with his oenophile-oriented start-up, Vinoshares.

In this episode, we catch up with Yael Grushka-Cockayne. Yael is Darden’s new Senior Associate Dean for Professional Degree Programs, and we recently connected via Zoom to talk with her about her background, what’s exciting to her about her new role, how she finds case ideas as well as the Executive MBA Program’s plans for Orientation, Leadership Residency 1 and the months ahead.

A special edition of the Experience Darden and The ExecMBA podcasts! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Martin Davidson and Christie Julien. Martin is Senior Associate Dean and Global Chief Diversity Officer at the Darden School, and he is also a member of the Leadership and Organizational Behavior faculty. Christie is Darden’s Assistant Dean for Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and a two-time guest on the Experience Darden podcast (See: Episode #34). We recently connected with Martin and Christie via Zoom to talk more about their backgrounds, what brought them to Darden as well as Darden’s efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion.

In this special episode of the ExecMBA and Experience Darden podcasts, we catch up with Professor Laura Morgan Roberts. Earlier this week, we connected with Laura via Zoom to talk about her experience facilitating a conversation in her Leading Teams course about the killing of George Floyd, the nationwide protests that followed and the social issues implicated by these and other recent events. During this wide-ranging interview, Laura shares how her research interests and lived experience inform her approach to these dialogues, why it is so hard for people to talk about race, and the important role students play in creating opportunity for these conversations.

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Director of Student Affairs, Laura Bordoni. We recently caught up with Laura via Zoom to talk about one of the most popular topics for incoming Executive MBA students: time management. During this conversation, Laura shares tips and insights as well as common challenges for students as they seek to balance work, life and school.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Eric Tyo. Eric is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about his decision to pursue an MBA, how he managed the competing demands of work, life and school, as well as how he leveraged the program’s resources to facilitate a career transition. This episode is a must-listen for any prospective Executive MBA students who are interested in switching company, function and/or industry.

Can it really be the end? The final installment in our ongoing podcast interview series with Jonas Porcar-Ferrer and Bhavin Patel has arrived. We recently connected with Jonas and Bhavin via Zoom to discuss Quarter 10, Leadership Residency 2, how they’ve have changed and grown over the course of the program, their advice for prospective students and more. Pro Tip: If you’re new to the series, be sure to check out our earlier episodes. We followed Jonas and Bhavin from the start of the program to the end (and hopefully beyond!).

In this episode of The ExecMBA Podcast we catch up with Jaime Falquez. Jaime is a member of our Executive MBA Class of 2018, and we recently connected via Zoom to discuss what he’s been up to since graduation and how his Darden experience helped him grow both his confidence and career.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up Tiffany Pillifant and Andrew Harris. Tiffany and Andrew are both in our Executive MBA Class of 2020, and they are based in the Charlottesville area. Along with their classmate Taison Bell, Tiffany and Andrew have been working with a group called Masks for Cville that is focused on helping coordinate the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) manufacturing effort in the area.

In this very special edition of both the Experience Darden podcast and The ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with the Dean of the Darden School of Business, Scott Beardsley. During this wide-ranging conversation, Scott shares insights about his life and background, how his long tenure at McKinsey helps guide his work as Dean, how he and the leadership team at Darden are navigating the coronavirus pandemic, why he’s optimistic about the future and more!

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Hunter Hopcroft. Hunter is an Executive MBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently connected via Zoom to talk about his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, his experience as an entrepreneur, his passion for agribusiness, the potential for stakeholder theory in our present moment and more. Pro Tips Be sure to also check out Hunter’s 2019 interview for NPR’s Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.