The ExecMBA Podcast

In this episode of the podcast we welcome back two previous podcast guests, Associate Dean Jim Detert and Director of Student Affairs Laura Bordoni. Jim and Laura are leaders of our Executive MBA Program, and we recently connected with them via Zoom to talk about how the program has responded to the coronavirus pandemic, what the program team is doing to support our Classes of 2020 and 20201, the current plans for our Class of 2022 and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Erin Tollini! Erin is an Executive MBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently connected with her to talk about her decision to pursue an MBA, the impact of her Darden experience and her start-up venture, Expand My Tribe. This episode is part of an ongoing podcast series focused on entrepreneurs in our Executive MBA Program.

In this episode of the podcast, we catching up with Sara Conner. Sara is an alumna from our Executive MBA Class of 2018, and she changed jobs during her time in the program. We recently connected to talk with her about her background, her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, and how the program helped her grow professionally and advance her career.

For Immediate Release! In this episode of the podcast, we highlight some of the recent updates to our Executive MBA application process in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. Directors of Admissions Brett Twitty and Whitney Kestner discuss the updates and share insights and tips for applicants targeting our upcoming application deadlines – 10 April, 10 May, 10 June and 25 June.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Michael Long. Michael is an Executive MBA (EMBA) format student in our Class of 2021, and we recently connected to talk about his background in cyber and IT, his decision to pursue an MBA, how the program has impacted his work and his advice for prospective students. This was our first “distance” podcast interview, and we’re excited to keep the podcast on the air during this time of social distancing.

In this episode of the podcast, we feature interviews with two members of the same Learning Team – Rizki Ridwan and Stephanie Dhue. Rizki and Stephanie are both GEMBA format students in our Class of 2021, and we caught up with them to talk about their decision to pursue an MBA, what led them to Darden and how their Learning Team helps them manage their coursework. We recorded this episode a few months ago when Rizki and Stephanie were in their first quarter of the program. Over the next couple weeks, we’ll be clearing out our interview vault, but stay tuned for new episodes as well. We’re excited to announce that we’ve identified a remote solution that will allow us to keep the podcast going during this time of social distancing.

In this episode of the podcast, we continue on our ongoing conversation with Jonas Porcar Ferrer and Bhavin Patel. This is the FIFTH installment in our interview series, and Jonas and Bhavin are now in Quarter 10 of the program, with the second Leadership Residency (LR2) and graduation on the horizon. We sat down with Jonas and Bhavin to talk about their recent global residency in India, the electives they are taking as well as what they hope to accomplish in the final months of the program.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Stephen Weir. Stephen is an Executive MBA (EMBA) format student in our Class of 2020, and he also recently launched his own business, Weir Consulting. We sat down with Stephen to talk about his decision to pursue an MBA, how he has juggled work, life and school and how Darden has helped him pursue an entrepreneurial path.

We have moved! Welcome to the new feed home for the Darden ExecMBA Podcast here on Podbean! You may also find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn and iHeartRadio. And as always... THANKS FOR LISTENING!

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Career Advisor Jim Collins to discuss the recent Executive MBA Class of 2019 Employment Report. In a wide-ranging conversation, Jim shares key takeaways from the report, as well as insights about how the program helps students advance their careers. Listen on and learn about how Darden’s Career Development Center supports climbers, switchers, entrepreneurs and more!

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Anna Christen! Anna is an Executive MBA format student in our Class of 2020, and she is based in Texas. We talk with her about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her Darden, and how she has juggled the demands work, school and being a new mom. Fun fact: Anna once shared a basketball court with Candace Parker. Listen to learn more!

Welcome to our first ever “mailbag show”! You’ve got questions – We’ve got answers. In this episode of the podcast, we invite back Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Katherine Alford, to take on some of the questions we frequently receive from Executive MBA prospective students. Questions include “Is it a good time to apply?”, “What are the differences between EMBA and GEMBA?”, “Do students stay at the hotel during weekend residencies?”, “How do you know if an MBA is right for you?”, “What is Darden looking for in the Admissions process” and much more.

In this episode, we catch up with EMBA format student, Corinne Bishop. We sat down with Corinne just after Quarter 1 to talk about her background in dance, how she decided to pursue an MBA, her current work for an educational technology company and how she’s adjusted to balancing work and life and school and Executive MBA student.

In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Vij. Nicole is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2021, and she works as a healthcare consultant. We caught up with her to talk about her background, what led her to pursue her MBA after completing another graduate degree and why she feels an MBA is particularly helpful for healthcare professionals.

In this episode, we are joined by two regular podcast guests, Career Advisors Jim Collins and Sarita Soldz. In this wide-ranging episode, we talk with Jim and Sarita about the phases of the career exploration process – from self-reflection and informational networking to application submission and offer negotiation – and how they coach students to navigate each of these steps. This episode is highly recommended for anyone contemplating a career change or interested in exploring career options.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Taison Bell. Taison is a Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) format student in our Class of 2020, and he is also a physician and a founder. We recently sat down with Taison to talk about his background, why he decided to pursue an MBA, why he thinks business and leadership training is important for medical professionals as well as Owl Peak Labs, the start-up he founded with his classmate and recent podcast guest Tim Harvey.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Tim Harvey. Tim is a Global Executive MBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently caught up with him to talk about his decision to pursue an MBA, what attracted him to our GEMBA format as well as the start-up, Owl Peak Labs, he recently founded with his classmate, Taison Bell. Pro Tip: Keep an eye out in the next few days for our conversation with Taison!

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Olivia Zhou. Olivia is a Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) format student in our Class of 2020, and she gave birth to her son just a few weeks after the start of the program. We recently sat down to talk with her about her background, the impact of her Darden experience, as well as how she has balanced the program and the demands of being a new mom.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Tom Duffy. Tom is an Executive MBA (EMBA) format student in our Class of 2020, and he is based in New England. We recently sat down to talk more about his background, why he decided to pursue an MBA, what brought him to Darden as well as what motivated him to serve as a Section representative for his class.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Laura Martens. Laura is Director of Washington, DC Initiatives for the Darden School of Business, and we recently sat down to talk about her background, what attracted her to her current role and some of the things she is currently working on as Darden continues to build its presence and brand in the Washington, DC metro area.

They’re back! We continue our ongoing conversation with Jonas Porcar Ferrer and Bhavin Patel. In this episode, we catch up with Jonas and Bhavin to talk about Quarters 6 and 7, including the recent Europe global residency, their elective choices as well as what they’ve enjoyed their latest slate of core courses.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Read Wall. Read is an Executive MBA (EMBA) format student in our Class of 2021, and he is also an entrepreneur. We sat down to talk with Read about his men’s clothing ventures, what led him to Darden, what he has enjoyed about the program so far as well as his advice for entrepreneurs considering an MBA.

In this episode of the podcast, we’re excited to feature our first conversation with a member of our Class of 2021. We recently sat down with EMBA format students, Caroline Clark, to talk about her background, why she decided to pursue an MBA, what she’s enjoyed about her first few months at Darden, as well as her advice for prospective students.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Sameer Raina. Sameer is a GEMBA format in our Class of 2020, and we recently sat down with him to talk about his background, what led him to Darden, his advice for doctors and healthcare professionals considering an MBA as well as why he feels ethics are a critical component of any business education.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Audrey Hartland. Audrey is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently caught up with her to talk about her decision to pursue an MBA, her recent career transition, what it’s like to plan a wedding while balancing school, work and life, as well as her advice for prospective students.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Michelle Mullany. Michelle is a GEMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and she is also President of our Veteran Executive Students of Darden (VESD) student organization. Michelle comes from a healthcare background, and we recently sat down with her to talk about her decision to pursue an MBA, what it’s like to change jobs during the program, her advice for healthcare professionals considering an MBA and how her global residencies have shaped her MBA experience.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Rob Wiederecht. Rob is a GEMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently sat down to talk about why he decided to pursue an MBA, why he choose our Global Executive MBA format as well as how his MBA experience has helped him take the next step with his start-up idea.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Laura Bordoni. Laura works closely with our Class of 2021 as a Student Affairs resource, and we recently sat down to talk about her background, what she enjoys about working with executive format students, her tips for balancing the demands of work, life and school, as well as the extracurricular opportunities and support available to students in our Executive MBA Program.

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Ron Cook. Ron is a two-time guest on the podcast, and we recently sat down to talk with him about his leadership roles with our Executive MBA Entrepreneurship Club and Black Executive MBA student organization, what he hopes to accomplish with these organizations this year, as well as his start-up in Kenya that will be the basis of a Global Consulting Project this year.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Connie Dunlop. Connie is a repeat guest on the podcast, and we recently sat down to discuss the decision to move the Professional Advancement Course (PAC) to Quarter 1 as well as the work she and Darden faculty have been doing to update the program’s experiential learning curriculum. #emba #gemba #career #whydarden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Ladi Carr. Ladi is a repeat guest on the ExecMBA Podcast, and we invited her back to talk about our recent global innovations. Students in our Executive MBA Program now have as many as 12 global residencies from which to choose, and during this episode we discuss the new locations, the inspiration for the updates and the role the global residencies play in our curricular design. #dardenglobal #globalresidency #emba #gemba #darden #whydarden

A double feature! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two of the staff members who support our executive format students – Allison Price and Jarrod Tibbs. Allison is a member of our Executive MBA Program team and Jarrod leads the Distance Learning team that facilitates our online classes. We recently sat down with Allison and Jarrod to talk about their roles and what they enjoy about working with executive format students.

In this episode, we catch up with Ashley Keating. Ashley is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently sat down with her to talk about her MBA journey: Why she decided to pursue an MBA, what brought her to Darden, and how she balances the demands of work, school and being a mom. Ashley is also in the process of launching her own venture, and during this conversation she also highlights VC Bootcamp, the Cav Angels group and some of the other resources that have allowed her to explore her entrepreneurial interests.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Tiffany Pillifant. Tiffany is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and she is also section representative for her class. We recently sat down with Tiffany to talk about her decision to pursue an MBA, how she balances school and the demands of being a mom, and her advice for women considering an MBA.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Paul Kohnstamm. Paul is an EMBA format in our Class of 2020, and he currently works on Capitol Hill. With our upcoming MBAs and Public Policy Information Session (18 October) on the horizon, we sat down with Paul to talk about his background, the case for an MBA for policy professionals, what he has enjoyed about the program so far, and his advice for prospective students. Pro Tip: Catch up on our earlier interviews with our program’s current and former politicos – Zack Golden, Julie Lassiter and Freddy Barnes/Steve Gilleland.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Zack Golden. Zack is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we recently sat down to talk about his background in politics, why he decided to pursue an MBA, his upcoming global residency in India and his advice for prospective students who are wondering if now is the right time to go back to school.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Alicia Braxton. Alicia is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and we sat down to talk about her background in marketing, what led her to pursue an MBA, and how she found her voice in the classroom.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with two members of our Class of 2020, Katie Bolton and Andrew Moore. Katie and Andrew serve as community reps for their class, and we recently sat down to talk more about their MBA journey, what led them to Darden, what attracted them to their current leadership roles and their advice for prospective students.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Jason Starkey, a recent graduate in our Class of 2019. We sat down with Jason right before Leadership Residency 2 (LR 2), the program’s final academic activity, to talk about his MBA journey, his experience launching an VR start-up and his advice for prospective students.

In this episode, we catch up with Callie Thompson, Director of Executive Degree Programs. We recently sat down with Callie to talk more about Leadership Residency (LR1) and what she enjoys about working with executive format students.

In this episode, we celebrate the launch of our new Executive MBA application! Targeting our Executive Class of 2022? This episode in a must-listen. Join Director of Admissions, Brett Twitty, and Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Katherine Alford, as they review this year’s application and share tips and insights for executive format applicants.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Morgan Oblinsky. Morgan is an Executive MBA format student in our Class of 2020, and he is also one of the newly elected leaders of our Veteran Executive Students at Darden (VESD) student organization. We sat down to talk with Morgan about his decision to pursue an MBA, how he is managing his transition from the Navy to the private sector and his advice for prospective students.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Emma Kinnucan. Emma is an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020, and she is also the newly elected President of our Network of Executive Women (NEW). We sat down with Emma to talk about how she decided to pursue an MBA, how she has managed her first year in the program and what attracted her to a student leadership position.

A double feature! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two students in our Class of 2020, Josh Cortez and Mike Winston. We recently sat down with Mike and Josh to talk about their MBA journey, what they have enjoyed about Darden’s Executive MBA Program so far and their advice for prospective students.

In this episode of the ExecMBA Podcast, we catch up with Sarita Soldz. Sarita is one of the career advisors who support our executive format students, and she is a repeat guest on the pod. We sat down with her to talk about the recent Life Design workshop she offered for women in our Class of 2019, as well as some of the exciting discussions Executive MBA staff are having around student engagement and support. Bonus coverage: Listen to Sarita's earlier podcast episodes https://dardenmba.podbean.com/?s=soldz).

In this episode of the podcast, we continue our spotlight on the military transition experience with a conversation with two veterans in our Class of 2020, Roger Wieland and Connor Lott. We talk about Roger and Connor about their paths post-military, why they decided to pursue an MBA and their advice for service members contemplating a transition to the private sector.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Emily Kelly, an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020. We recently sat down with Emily to talk about what led her to Darden, how she has juggled the demands of the program and starting a new job, and her advice for prospective students wondering if now is the right time to get an MBA.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Abigail Pape, an EMBA format student in our Class of 2020. Abigail is a doctor and she is based in Portland, Oregon, and we sat down with her to talk about why she decided to pursue an MBA, how she manages the demands of work, life and the program and her advice for doctors considering Darden’s executive formats.

They’re back! In this episode of the podcast, we continue our ongoing conversation with Jonas Porcar-Ferrer and Bhavin Patel, two students in our Class of 2020. We caught up with Jonas and Bhavin during a recent weekend residency in Rosslyn to talk about their Quarters 4 and 5 classes, Bhavin’s recent China global residency and how their experience in the program is shaping their work.

In this episode of the podcast, we offer admissions tips and insights for applicants targeting our June 10 and June 25 deadlines. Admissions Committee members Brett Twitty and Katherine Alford highlight upcoming events, share admissions advice and potential next steps for candidates seeking to put their best foot forward as we wrap up our 2019 admissions cycle.