Experience Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Rachel Edwards. Rachel is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and she is also an entrepreneur. Rachel has spent her career in fashion, and we chat with her about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, her work with the UVA Seed Fund and early stage ventures during her two years in Cville, as well the software application she is developing focused on helping individuals sharpen their personal fashion and style.

In what is quickly becoming an annual tradition on the podcast, in this episode we catch up with the new Consortium co-liaisons for the upcoming academic year – Alexis Orr (Class of 2023), Minnie Lahoti (Class of 2023) and Angel Monrroy (Class of 2023). Alexis, Minnie and Angel reflect upon their MBA journeys and why they’re excited to serve as Consortium liaisons in the year ahead. They also share what the Consortium community has meant to them over the past year, and they also provide a few tips for incoming Darden students.

In this episode of the podcast, we spotlight the Second Year Tutor Program, and we are joined for this conversation by the outgoing Second Year Tutor Chairs Kate Shadlock (Class of 2022) and Johnny Mac Yates (Class of 2022). With graduation on the horizon, Kate and Johnny Mac talk reflect upon their MBA journey and the impact of their Darden experience. They also discuss what the tutoring program, the important role Second Year students play in supporting First Year students, and how their experience leading the tutoring program has only deepened their respect and appreciation for the Darden faculty.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Sukari Brown (Class of 2023). Sukari is a First Year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2023, and it’s fair to say she is involved in the extracurricular life of the school. Sukari is the President-Elect of the Private Equity Club, a Breakthrough Scholar, a Consortium member and a portfolio manager for Darden Capital Management. She is also meaningfully involved with the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), Darden African Business Organization (DABO), and the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club (EVCC). During this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Sukari about her MBA journey and what led her to Darden. She also discusses her plans for the summer, and her Darden Venture Fellowship with Sands Capital Management in Arlington, Virginia. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in learning more about private equity and venture capital-related opportunities and support at the Darden School. Click here for more information about the Breakthrough Scholars Program.

In this conversation, we catch up with Ryan Cox. Ryan is a first year student in Darden’s Class of 2023, and he is also enrolled in UVA’s MS in Data Science program. We talk with Ryan about his experience as a dual degree student, what it’s like learning in the case method, his plans for his summer internship and what he loves about his first year section, Section D. Ryan applied to Darden through the Future Year Scholars Program, Darden’s deferred enrollment program for bachelor’s degree students in their final year of student and full-time masters students who have not held a full-time work position.

In this conversation, we catch up with Kristian Robinson. Kristian is the Associate Director of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Recruiting at the Darden School of Business, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about his journey to Darden. Kristian has a background in mental health counseling and he is currently working on a Ph.D at Virginia Commonwealth University, and in this wide-ranging conversation, he shares how his background and research interests led him to pursue a role in higher education, and Admissions specifically. Fun fact: Kristian was instrumental in planning and executing this year’s Darden Diversity Conference.

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Tyler Kelley and Moriah Horner. Tyler and Moriah are First Year students in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2023, and they are also newly elected leaders of the Darden Student Association (DSA). Tyler is the DSA President and Moriah is DSA Executive Vice President, and we talk with them about their backgrounds, how they decided to pursue an MBA, how their first year has gone and what they hope to accomplish as DSA leaders in the year ahead.

In this special edition of the podcast, we spotlight the University of Virginia’s MS in Business Analytics. The MSBA is a 12-month program offered in partnership by the Darden School of Business and the McIntire School of Commerce, and it is designed for working professionals seeking to learn essential and emerging data analysis techniques within a business context. We are joined for this conversation by two Admissions colleagues from the McIntire School of Commerce, Lizzie Batman and Mary Wells, as well as frequent Admissions podcast guest and Darden Admissions Committee member, Katherine Alford.

In this special episode of the Darden Admissions podcast, we’re excited to share a recent installment from our ongoing Women@Darden event series featuring Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke and Professor of Practice Vivian Riefberg. Riefberg is a Professor of Practice at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia where she holds a David C. Walentas Jefferson Scholars Chair. She joined the Darden faculty after over 31 years at McKinsey & Company, and she is one of the faculty sponsors for the Women@Darden initiative, teaches in both the Executive and Full-Time MBA formats, and serves on many advisory boards. Riefberg is a Director Emeritus with McKinsey and was also recently named as an Advisory Board Member for the Smithsonian's American Women's History Museum.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Hemant Das. Hemant serves as the Principal Advisor for India Initiatives through Darden's partner Sannam S4. Hemant works collaboratively across the Darden Enterprise, leading efforts to advance the school’s impact and engagement in India and the region. He is a key liaison for Darden to alumni, corporate partners, current/prospective students, and business and educational institutions in the region. We talk with Hemant about his background, what led him to Darden, the power of the Darden network in India and why he enjoys engaging with members of the Darden community.