closeEvents & Promotions
| Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 11:55 |
It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 11:55 |
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
10:00 AM EDT
-10:30 AM EDT
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
10:00 AM IST
-11:00 AM IST
09:55 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
02:00 PM EDT
-03:00 PM EDT
03:00 PM PDT
-04:00 PM PDT
03:00 PM IST
-04:00 PM IST
07:00 PM PDT
-08:00 PM PDT
14 Jan 2021, 10:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Entrepreneurial Alums Embrace UVA Founding Spirit |
|
Entrepreneurs Brad Uhl (MBA ’15), Dan FitzHenry (MBA ’18) and Brandon Wooten (UVA ’04) have capitalized on their love of UVA to create some pretty incredible Charlottesville community staples. The trio’s recent portfolio includes six Grit coffee locations and The Wool Factory, a new brewery-bakery-event venue-hospitality-hub that was originally owned by Thomas Jefferson that featured working mills and later produced military uniforms during the Civil War. Ten years ago, the UVA alumni founded a design firm called ID Company, which was designed to serve other businesses though web development, marketing and rebranding.  1819 Medium Roast Blend: An ode to our alma mater, 1819 is a celebration of the founding spirit and the pursuit of excellence. With flavors of toasted almond, vanilla, and a subtle hint of black cherry this blend is great for sipping on The Lawn or cheering on the Hoos. UVAToday reporter Whitelaw Reid notes, “On the surface, the businesses don’t seem as if they would be related, but, interestingly, they have all been designed to work in tandem with each other.” In their recent interview, the founders describe their symbiotic approach to entrepreneurship, and give a nod to the ways the Darden learning experience shaped their business strategies in some unexpected ways. Highlights from the UVAToday interview below – read the full article here. Q. Can you talk about the synergy of the businesses and why they work so well together? Was this by design or did it just sort of work out that way? Brandon Wooten: All of our businesses have grown out of relationships, and all complement each other in some way. I met Brad and we complemented each other’s skill sets and it was fun to see the sum of those parts help others as we provided design and brand management for clients. We started ID Company to eventually do those same things for ourselves and very early on realized that we couldn’t do that without surrounding ourselves with talented and passionate people. The ‘ID’ stands for “integrated design” – in other words, ID Company was always meant to be a design arm integrated into a larger company. When Dan joined us, he brought the operational piece we needed to grow. Along the way, we’ve partnered up with more and more talented people, which has allowed us to grow as a company. Q. Can you take me through some specifics of how your businesses are mutually beneficial to each other? Dan FitzHenry: We are fortunate to work with incredibly talented people in all of our companies. One thing we’ve been able to do is find good people who are great at what they do, and plug them into a structure that allows them to thrive. We can plan and map out as much as we want, but a lot of what we’ve built has come together by jumping at the right opportunity at the right time when the right partner comes along.  The Wool Factory, historic photo Our businesses are symbiotic because of connections that naturally flow from one opportunity into the next, but it also takes discipline not to stray too far away from what we’ve built and commit to an opportunity that would actually distract from what we’re already doing. The advantage of the symbiosis between our businesses is that everyone gets to where they want to be faster than if they did it on their own. For example, we didn’t roast our own coffee in the early days of Grit’s existence, but it was long a goal of ours. When the opportunity to hire a very talented coffee roaster presented itself, it meant building something completely new that we had never done before. Because we had four shops at the time, that created immediate demand for the roastery’s product, which then lowered the risk of standing up a coffee roastery from scratch, which then increased our margins on coffee sales at our shops.  Selvedge Brewing, The Wool Factory We’ve since built out the wholesale and e-commerce side of our business on top of that, in addition to growing our own retail footprint. The same thing happened when we had the opportunity to hire an incredible executive pastry chef for The Wool Factory. If you took each side in a vacuum, it probably wasn’t a perfect fit. At the time, we weren’t really planning on dedicating resources to starting a bakery operation, and she was interested in starting her own brand, but would be starting from scratch. By working together, everyone was able to get where they wanted to go much faster, so we formed a joint venture called Cou Cou Rachou. Q. What was your UVA experience like, and how do you think it prepared you for what you are doing now? Any professors or classes that inspired you? Brandon Wooten: I loved my time at UVA and continue to relish the friendships I was able to make. I sang in The Virginia Gentlemen and was able to travel to some amazing places and experience a level of food and hospitality that I don’t know that I would have been exposed to otherwise. Those experiences definitely shaped my journey with food and hospitality. I didn’t quite have a grasp for what I wanted to do post-graduation, so I ended up just taking classes that I enjoyed and were interesting. I remember Architecture 101 being a class that opened my eyes to different ways of seeing things. Brad Uhl: In undergrad, I started out in the Engineering School and ultimately wound up in econ, primarily because I liked the idea of a more generalist approach. “Product X” and “Price Y” always felt like it left so many doors open when compared to a more defined field or area of expertise. I learned a lot about myself in that regard once I realized how much I liked being able to plug into any type of business instead of a specific one. I decided to go to Darden to gain some of the experience I felt I had missed not leaving Charlottesville, and it definitely opened my eyes to the possibilities of finance, small business, entrepreneurship, etc. in a whole new way.  The Wool Factory, October 2020 A mentor once challenged me to stop complaining about constantly feeling like I was spinning plates, when in fact I liked being a “plate spinner.” Once I became more comfortable owning that, it made everything a lot more fun, and it’s also helped us figure out how to craft a career around that particular skillset. I like problem-solving and making sense of what otherwise seems like chaos, and most of what we do is just that. Dan FitzHenry: My experience at Darden was one of the most valuable learning experiences I’ve had. The program gave me the hard science of business, from accounting to leadership to corporate finance to operations and everything in between. The breadth of knowledge the Darden professors bring to the program is incredible. Additionally, I was surrounded by my fellow students who had different experiences, different ways of thinking and approaching problems, and were generally some of the best people I’ve had the good fortune to be around. I learned as much from them as I did from our professors. I never thought it would be the case while I was learning it, but the professor and class that has stuck with me the most is accounting, taught by Paul Simko. Accounting is important when you run one business. When you run several separate, yet interconnected businesses, you become very familiar with the real-world implications of even the most arcane accounting principles Professor Simko teaches. It isn’t the fun, exciting part of running a business, but accounting touches every aspect of everything we do, and it’s crucial to get right. Read the full article on UVAToday. (Contributed photos via UVAToday and thewoolfactory.com) Learn more about Grit Coffee and The Wool Factory. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Entrepreneurial Alums Embrace UVA Founding Spirit first appeared on Discover Darden. |
14 Jan 2021, 10:01
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Entrepreneurial Alums Embrace UVA Founding Spirit |
|
Entrepreneurs Brad Uhl (MBA ’15), Dan FitzHenry (MBA ’18) and Brandon Wooten (UVA ’04) have capitalized on their love of UVA to create some pretty incredible Charlottesville community staples. The trio’s recent portfolio includes six Grit coffee locations and The Wool Factory, a new brewery-bakery-event venue-hospitality-hub that was originally owned by Thomas Jefferson that featured working mills and later produced military uniforms during the Civil War. Ten years ago, the UVA alumni founded a design firm called ID Company, which was designed to serve other businesses though web development, marketing and rebranding. 1819 Medium Roast Blend: An ode to our alma mater, 1819 is a celebration of the founding spirit and the pursuit of excellence. With flavors of toasted almond, vanilla, and a subtle hint of black cherry this blend is great for sipping on The Lawn or cheering on the Hoos. UVAToday reporter Whitelaw Reid notes, “On the surface, the businesses don’t seem as if they would be related, but, interestingly, they have all been designed to work in tandem with each other.” In their recent interview, the founders describe their symbiotic approach to entrepreneurship, and give a nod to the ways the Darden learning experience shaped their business strategies in some unexpected ways. Highlights from the UVAToday interview below – read the full article here. Q. Can you talk about the synergy of the businesses and why they work so well together? Was this by design or did it just sort of work out that way? Brandon Wooten: All of our businesses have grown out of relationships, and all complement each other in some way. I met Brad and we complemented each other’s skill sets and it was fun to see the sum of those parts help others as we provided design and brand management for clients. We started ID Company to eventually do those same things for ourselves and very early on realized that we couldn’t do that without surrounding ourselves with talented and passionate people. The ‘ID’ stands for “integrated design” – in other words, ID Company was always meant to be a design arm integrated into a larger company. When Dan joined us, he brought the operational piece we needed to grow. Along the way, we’ve partnered up with more and more talented people, which has allowed us to grow as a company. Q. Can you take me through some specifics of how your businesses are mutually beneficial to each other? Dan FitzHenry: We are fortunate to work with incredibly talented people in all of our companies. One thing we’ve been able to do is find good people who are great at what they do, and plug them into a structure that allows them to thrive. We can plan and map out as much as we want, but a lot of what we’ve built has come together by jumping at the right opportunity at the right time when the right partner comes along. The Wool Factory, historic photo Our businesses are symbiotic because of connections that naturally flow from one opportunity into the next, but it also takes discipline not to stray too far away from what we’ve built and commit to an opportunity that would actually distract from what we’re already doing. The advantage of the symbiosis between our businesses is that everyone gets to where they want to be faster than if they did it on their own. For example, we didn’t roast our own coffee in the early days of Grit’s existence, but it was long a goal of ours. When the opportunity to hire a very talented coffee roaster presented itself, it meant building something completely new that we had never done before. Because we had four shops at the time, that created immediate demand for the roastery’s product, which then lowered the risk of standing up a coffee roastery from scratch, which then increased our margins on coffee sales at our shops. Selvedge Brewing, The Wool Factory We’ve since built out the wholesale and e-commerce side of our business on top of that, in addition to growing our own retail footprint. The same thing happened when we had the opportunity to hire an incredible executive pastry chef for The Wool Factory. If you took each side in a vacuum, it probably wasn’t a perfect fit. At the time, we weren’t really planning on dedicating resources to starting a bakery operation, and she was interested in starting her own brand, but would be starting from scratch. By working together, everyone was able to get where they wanted to go much faster, so we formed a joint venture called Cou Cou Rachou. Q. What was your UVA experience like, and how do you think it prepared you for what you are doing now? Any professors or classes that inspired you? Brandon Wooten: I loved my time at UVA and continue to relish the friendships I was able to make. I sang in The Virginia Gentlemen and was able to travel to some amazing places and experience a level of food and hospitality that I don’t know that I would have been exposed to otherwise. Those experiences definitely shaped my journey with food and hospitality. I didn’t quite have a grasp for what I wanted to do post-graduation, so I ended up just taking classes that I enjoyed and were interesting. I remember Architecture 101 being a class that opened my eyes to different ways of seeing things. Brad Uhl: In undergrad, I started out in the Engineering School and ultimately wound up in econ, primarily because I liked the idea of a more generalist approach. “Product X” and “Price Y” always felt like it left so many doors open when compared to a more defined field or area of expertise. I learned a lot about myself in that regard once I realized how much I liked being able to plug into any type of business instead of a specific one. I decided to go to Darden to gain some of the experience I felt I had missed not leaving Charlottesville, and it definitely opened my eyes to the possibilities of finance, small business, entrepreneurship, etc. in a whole new way. The Wool Factory, October 2020 A mentor once challenged me to stop complaining about constantly feeling like I was spinning plates, when in fact I liked being a “plate spinner.” Once I became more comfortable owning that, it made everything a lot more fun, and it’s also helped us figure out how to craft a career around that particular skillset. I like problem-solving and making sense of what otherwise seems like chaos, and most of what we do is just that. Dan FitzHenry: My experience at Darden was one of the most valuable learning experiences I’ve had. The program gave me the hard science of business, from accounting to leadership to corporate finance to operations and everything in between. The breadth of knowledge the Darden professors bring to the program is incredible. Additionally, I was surrounded by my fellow students who had different experiences, different ways of thinking and approaching problems, and were generally some of the best people I’ve had the good fortune to be around. I learned as much from them as I did from our professors. I never thought it would be the case while I was learning it, but the professor and class that has stuck with me the most is accounting, taught by Paul Simko. Accounting is important when you run one business. When you run several separate, yet interconnected businesses, you become very familiar with the real-world implications of even the most arcane accounting principles Professor Simko teaches. It isn’t the fun, exciting part of running a business, but accounting touches every aspect of everything we do, and it’s crucial to get right. Read the full article on UVAToday. (Contributed photos via UVAToday and thewoolfactory.com) Learn more about Grit Coffee and The Wool Factory. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Entrepreneurial Alums Embrace UVA Founding Spirit first appeared on Discover Darden. |
19 Jan 2021, 07:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Wednesday Webinar: Balancing Work, Life and School |
|
Tomorrow evening, Darden Admissions and the Network of Executive Women (NEW) student organization will host the next installment in our ongoing series about balancing work, life and school as an Executive MBA student. We have an exciting panel of recent alumnae lined up for this virtual session, and this event is great opportunity to hear firsthand how students juggle competing demands and priorities during a working professionals program. Webinar: Balancing Work, Life and School Wednesday, 20 January | 6:00 p.m. EST Register  In advance of this week’s session, we recently reached out to some of the leaders of NEW for their advice for managing time and finding balance as an Executive MBA student. Anura Shrivastava (Class of 2021) Vice President, Network of Executive Women Pictured left “Be yourself! Everyone finds their rhythm at a different pace. Never think you are alone, rely on your LT/cohort. Be sure to communicate with friends/family you will need that support! Lastly try to find “me” time every now and then!” Claritza Jimenez (Class of 2021) Communications, Chair, Network of Executive Women Pictured center “Think more about integration than balance. Integration acknowledges there will be times when some areas of your life don’t all get the same focus and attention, but do you feel at harmony or that you have a consistent direction? Do you feel connected and energized? I feel those are more insightful questions. There’s no formula.” Listen to Claritza’s story Caroline Clark (Class of 2021) President, Network of Executive Women Pictured right “Communicate, communicate, communicate! Let the people around you at work and home what your school schedule is and be open about the demands on your time. Level-setting is important and effective!” Listen to Caroline’s story Explore Further: The NEW leadership are frequent guests on The ExecMBA Podcast. Continue to learn more about the organization by checking out these recent conversations about navigating life as an Executive MBA student as well as how NEW has grown since its 2018 launch. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Wednesday Webinar: Balancing Work, Life and School first appeared on Discover Darden. |
19 Jan 2021, 07:01
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Wednesday Webinar: Balancing Work, Life and School |
|
Tomorrow evening, Darden Admissions and the Network of Executive Women (NEW) student organization will host the next installment in our ongoing series about balancing work, life and school as an Executive MBA student. We have an exciting panel of recent alumnae lined up for this virtual session, and this event is great opportunity to hear firsthand how students juggle competing demands and priorities during a working professionals program. Webinar: Balancing Work, Life and School Wednesday, 20 January | 6:00 p.m. EST Register In advance of this week’s session, we recently reached out to some of the leaders of NEW for their advice for managing time and finding balance as an Executive MBA student. Anura Shrivastava (Class of 2021) Vice President, Network of Executive Women Pictured left “Be yourself! Everyone finds their rhythm at a different pace. Never think you are alone, rely on your LT/cohort. Be sure to communicate with friends/family you will need that support! Lastly try to find “me” time every now and then!” Claritza Jimenez (Class of 2021) Communications, Chair, Network of Executive Women Pictured center “Think more about integration than balance. Integration acknowledges there will be times when some areas of your life don’t all get the same focus and attention, but do you feel at harmony or that you have a consistent direction? Do you feel connected and energized? I feel those are more insightful questions. There’s no formula.” Listen to Claritza’s story Caroline Clark (Class of 2021) President, Network of Executive Women Pictured right “Communicate, communicate, communicate! Let the people around you at work and home what your school schedule is and be open about the demands on your time. Level-setting is important and effective!” Listen to Caroline’s story Explore Further: The NEW leadership are frequent guests on The ExecMBA Podcast. Continue to learn more about the organization by checking out these recent conversations about navigating life as an Executive MBA student as well as how NEW has grown since its 2018 launch. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Wednesday Webinar: Balancing Work, Life and School first appeared on Discover Darden. |
21 Jan 2021, 12:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022) |
|
Today on the blog we’re excited to feature a Q&A with Stephen Beaudoin, an EMBA format student in the Executive MBA Class of 2022. Keep an eye on the blog for additional student profiles in the coming weeks, but if you’re interested in even more student interviews, be sure to also add [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/]The ExecMBA Podcast[/url] to your weekly download. New episodes are published every Friday and recent interviewees include [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-153-molly-just-and-dillon-behr-emba-class-of-2021/]a husband and wife in our second year class[/url], [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-152-jason-lamb-emba-14-managing-partner-at-the-hard-yards/]a veteran who launched his own tech venture post-Darden[/url] and [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-148-caroline-clark-and-anura-shrivastava-emba-class-of-2021-and-leaders-of-dardens-network-of-executive-women/]leaders of our Network of Executive Women student organization[/url]. Pictured in header: The Washington Chorus makes its debut virtual performance with Josef Rheinberger’s Abendlied, under the direction of Christopher Bell. [url=https://youtu.be/2rcLDS8UnLk]Watch it here.[/url] [b]Q: What is your current role? What is your professional/academic background?[/b] [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors-231x300.jpg[/img][/url] Stephen Beaudoin just before the Washington Chorus performed at the Kennedy Center Honors event. A: Currently, I serve as Executive Director of [url=https://thewashingtonchorus.org/]The Washington Chorus[/url], a two-time Grammy award-winning chorus celebrating our 60th anniversary that is a longtime artistic partner of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here in Washington, D.C. In this role, I lead the business side of our $2.4M annual operation, including leading our fundraising, strategy, business development, and public relations work, as well as managing our staff leadership team and collaborating with our Board of Trustees. I have over 20 years of experience primarily in the nonprofit sector, with some stops in the public sector (former publicly elected school board chair) and private sector (with several mission-driven businesses). I hold a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Performance from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. I also worked for several years as a professional vocalist in opera and musical theatre. [b]Q: How did you decide to pursue an MBA? [/b] A: I had been chewing on going back to school for an MBA for several years. As I approached the mid-career point, I found myself hungry for a serious learning environment to accelerate my growth and development. The arrival of the COVID-19 global health pandemic only underscored the need to expand my toolkit and range to lead boldly, and with purpose, in a time of extraordinary uncertainty, volatility, and change. [b]Q: What led you to Darden? [/b] A: I spent months researching the best EMBA programs across the country and was grateful to have been accepted to all six programs to which I applied. But it was Darden’s Socratic, case method approach, sterling reputation, and the alignment of Darden’s institutional values with my own that made this an easy decision for me. [b]Q: What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?[/b] A: Powerful! Already I’ve been able to apply tools and learning from the first few quarters directly to my leadership with The Washington Chorus. One example: utilizing lessons from the Decision Analysis and Leading Organizations courses, I led our team to successfully develop and launch a new Cameo-style personalized musical video message service over the holidays that has since blown past all financial performance projections for phase one. I should also mention something essential: the collegiality and care of the student cohort. The Darden Executive MBA 2022 class shines bright with talent and heart. It is humbling to learn alongside these terrific humans. [b]Q: What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] A: Know you, be you, and do you. The extraordinary diversity of the Darden student cohort – diversity of background, gender, race, professional and lived experience, and much more – is an enormous asset. Darden is not looking for one type of student 150 times over: it’s looking for 150 uniquely talented, singular, and committed leader-learners. Don’t be afraid to show and tell your unique story in the application process. Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/01/21/from-grammy-awards-to-decision-making-analysis-q-a-with-executive-mba-stephen-beaudoin-class-of-2022/]From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022)[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
21 Jan 2021, 12:00
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022) |
|
Today on the blog we’re excited to feature a Q&A with Stephen Beaudoin, an EMBA format student in the Executive MBA Class of 2022. Keep an eye on the blog for additional student profiles in the coming weeks, but if you’re interested in even more student interviews, be sure to also add [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/]The ExecMBA Podcast[/url] to your weekly download. New episodes are published every Friday and recent interviewees include [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-153-molly-just-and-dillon-behr-emba-class-of-2021/]a husband and wife in our second year class[/url], [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-152-jason-lamb-emba-14-managing-partner-at-the-hard-yards/]a veteran who launched his own tech venture post-Darden[/url] and [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-148-caroline-clark-and-anura-shrivastava-emba-class-of-2021-and-leaders-of-dardens-network-of-executive-women/]leaders of our Network of Executive Women student organization[/url]. Pictured in header: The Washington Chorus makes its debut virtual performance with Josef Rheinberger’s Abendlied, under the direction of Christopher Bell. [url=https://youtu.be/2rcLDS8UnLk]Watch it here.[/url] [b]Q: What is your current role? What is your professional/academic background?[/b] [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors-231x300.jpg[/img][/url] Stephen Beaudoin just before the Washington Chorus performed at the Kennedy Center Honors event. A: Currently, I serve as Executive Director of [url=https://thewashingtonchorus.org/]The Washington Chorus[/url], a two-time Grammy award-winning chorus celebrating our 60th anniversary that is a longtime artistic partner of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here in Washington, D.C. In this role, I lead the business side of our $2.4M annual operation, including leading our fundraising, strategy, business development, and public relations work, as well as managing our staff leadership team and collaborating with our Board of Trustees. I have over 20 years of experience primarily in the nonprofit sector, with some stops in the public sector (former publicly elected school board chair) and private sector (with several mission-driven businesses). I hold a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Performance from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. I also worked for several years as a professional vocalist in opera and musical theatre. [b]Q: How did you decide to pursue an MBA? [/b] A: I had been chewing on going back to school for an MBA for several years. As I approached the mid-career point, I found myself hungry for a serious learning environment to accelerate my growth and development. The arrival of the COVID-19 global health pandemic only underscored the need to expand my toolkit and range to lead boldly, and with purpose, in a time of extraordinary uncertainty, volatility, and change. [b]Q: What led you to Darden? [/b] A: I spent months researching the best EMBA programs across the country and was grateful to have been accepted to all six programs to which I applied. But it was Darden’s Socratic, case method approach, sterling reputation, and the alignment of Darden’s institutional values with my own that made this an easy decision for me. [b]Q: What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?[/b] A: Powerful! Already I’ve been able to apply tools and learning from the first few quarters directly to my leadership with The Washington Chorus. One example: utilizing lessons from the Decision Analysis and Leading Organizations courses, I led our team to successfully develop and launch a new Cameo-style personalized musical video message service over the holidays that has since blown past all financial performance projections for phase one. I should also mention something essential: the collegiality and care of the student cohort. The Darden Executive MBA 2022 class shines bright with talent and heart. It is humbling to learn alongside these terrific humans. [b]Q: What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] A: Know you, be you, and do you. The extraordinary diversity of the Darden student cohort – diversity of background, gender, race, professional and lived experience, and much more – is an enormous asset. Darden is not looking for one type of student 150 times over: it’s looking for 150 uniquely talented, singular, and committed leader-learners. Don’t be afraid to show and tell your unique story in the application process. Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/01/21/from-grammy-awards-to-decision-making-analysis-q-a-with-executive-mba-stephen-beaudoin-class-of-2022/]From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022)[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
22 Jan 2021, 07:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022) |
|
Today on the blog we’re excited to feature a Q&A with Stephen Beaudoin, an EMBA format student in the Executive MBA Class of 2022. Keep an eye on the blog for additional student profiles in the coming weeks, but if you’re interested in even more student interviews, be sure to also add [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/]The ExecMBA Podcast[/url] to your weekly download. New episodes are published every Friday and recent interviewees include [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-153-molly-just-and-dillon-behr-emba-class-of-2021/]a husband and wife in our second year class[/url], [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-152-jason-lamb-emba-14-managing-partner-at-the-hard-yards/]a veteran who launched his own tech venture post-Darden[/url] and [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-148-caroline-clark-and-anura-shrivastava-emba-class-of-2021-and-leaders-of-dardens-network-of-executive-women/]leaders of our Network of Executive Women student organization[/url]. Pictured in header: The Washington Chorus makes its debut virtual performance with Josef Rheinberger’s Abendlied, under the direction of Christopher Bell. [url=https://youtu.be/2rcLDS8UnLk]Watch it here.[/url] [b]Q: What is your current role? What is your professional/academic background?[/b] [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors-231x300.jpg[/img][/url] Stephen Beaudoin just before the Washington Chorus performed at the Kennedy Center Honors event. A: Currently, I serve as Executive Director of [url=https://thewashingtonchorus.org/]The Washington Chorus[/url], a two-time Grammy award-winning chorus celebrating our 60th anniversary that is a longtime artistic partner of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here in Washington, D.C. In this role, I lead the business side of our $2.4M annual operation, including leading our fundraising, strategy, business development, and public relations work, as well as managing our staff leadership team and collaborating with our Board of Trustees. I have over 20 years of experience primarily in the nonprofit sector, with some stops in the public sector (former publicly elected school board chair) and private sector (with several mission-driven businesses). I hold a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Performance from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. I also worked for several years as a professional vocalist in opera and musical theatre. [b]Q: How did you decide to pursue an MBA? [/b] A: I had been chewing on going back to school for an MBA for several years. As I approached the mid-career point, I found myself hungry for a serious learning environment to accelerate my growth and development. The arrival of the COVID-19 global health pandemic only underscored the need to expand my toolkit and range to lead boldly, and with purpose, in a time of extraordinary uncertainty, volatility, and change. [b]Q: What led you to Darden? [/b] A: I spent months researching the best EMBA programs across the country and was grateful to have been accepted to all six programs to which I applied. But it was Darden’s Socratic, case method approach, sterling reputation, and the alignment of Darden’s institutional values with my own that made this an easy decision for me. [b]Q: What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?[/b] A: Powerful! Already I’ve been able to apply tools and learning from the first few quarters directly to my leadership with The Washington Chorus. One example: utilizing lessons from the Decision Analysis and Leading Organizations courses, I led our team to successfully develop and launch a new Cameo-style personalized musical video message service over the holidays that has since blown past all financial performance projections for phase one. I should also mention something essential: the collegiality and care of the student cohort. The Darden Executive MBA 2022 class shines bright with talent and heart. It is humbling to learn alongside these terrific humans. [b]Q: What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] A: Know you, be you, and do you. The extraordinary diversity of the Darden student cohort – diversity of background, gender, race, professional and lived experience, and much more – is an enormous asset. Darden is not looking for one type of student 150 times over: it’s looking for 150 uniquely talented, singular, and committed leader-learners. Don’t be afraid to show and tell your unique story in the application process. Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/01/21/grammy-awards/]From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022)[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
22 Jan 2021, 07:00
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022) |
|
Today on the blog we’re excited to feature a Q&A with Stephen Beaudoin, an EMBA format student in the Executive MBA Class of 2022. Keep an eye on the blog for additional student profiles in the coming weeks, but if you’re interested in even more student interviews, be sure to also add [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/]The ExecMBA Podcast[/url] to your weekly download. New episodes are published every Friday and recent interviewees include [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-153-molly-just-and-dillon-behr-emba-class-of-2021/]a husband and wife in our second year class[/url], [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-152-jason-lamb-emba-14-managing-partner-at-the-hard-yards/]a veteran who launched his own tech venture post-Darden[/url] and [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/e/the-execmba-podcast-148-caroline-clark-and-anura-shrivastava-emba-class-of-2021-and-leaders-of-dardens-network-of-executive-women/]leaders of our Network of Executive Women student organization[/url]. Pictured in header: The Washington Chorus makes its debut virtual performance with Josef Rheinberger’s Abendlied, under the direction of Christopher Bell. [url=https://youtu.be/2rcLDS8UnLk]Watch it here.[/url] [b]Q: What is your current role? What is your professional/academic background?[/b] [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Stephen-KC-Honors-231x300.jpg[/img][/url] Stephen Beaudoin just before the Washington Chorus performed at the Kennedy Center Honors event. A: Currently, I serve as Executive Director of [url=https://thewashingtonchorus.org/]The Washington Chorus[/url], a two-time Grammy award-winning chorus celebrating our 60th anniversary that is a longtime artistic partner of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here in Washington, D.C. In this role, I lead the business side of our $2.4M annual operation, including leading our fundraising, strategy, business development, and public relations work, as well as managing our staff leadership team and collaborating with our Board of Trustees. I have over 20 years of experience primarily in the nonprofit sector, with some stops in the public sector (former publicly elected school board chair) and private sector (with several mission-driven businesses). I hold a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Performance from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. I also worked for several years as a professional vocalist in opera and musical theatre. [b]Q: How did you decide to pursue an MBA? [/b] A: I had been chewing on going back to school for an MBA for several years. As I approached the mid-career point, I found myself hungry for a serious learning environment to accelerate my growth and development. The arrival of the COVID-19 global health pandemic only underscored the need to expand my toolkit and range to lead boldly, and with purpose, in a time of extraordinary uncertainty, volatility, and change. [b]Q: What led you to Darden? [/b] A: I spent months researching the best EMBA programs across the country and was grateful to have been accepted to all six programs to which I applied. But it was Darden’s Socratic, case method approach, sterling reputation, and the alignment of Darden’s institutional values with my own that made this an easy decision for me. [b]Q: What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?[/b] A: Powerful! Already I’ve been able to apply tools and learning from the first few quarters directly to my leadership with The Washington Chorus. One example: utilizing lessons from the Decision Analysis and Leading Organizations courses, I led our team to successfully develop and launch a new Cameo-style personalized musical video message service over the holidays that has since blown past all financial performance projections for phase one. I should also mention something essential: the collegiality and care of the student cohort. The Darden Executive MBA 2022 class shines bright with talent and heart. It is humbling to learn alongside these terrific humans. [b]Q: What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] A: Know you, be you, and do you. The extraordinary diversity of the Darden student cohort – diversity of background, gender, race, professional and lived experience, and much more – is an enormous asset. Darden is not looking for one type of student 150 times over: it’s looking for 150 uniquely talented, singular, and committed leader-learners. Don’t be afraid to show and tell your unique story in the application process. Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/01/21/grammy-awards/]From Grammy Awards to Decision Making Analysis: Q-A With Executive MBA Stephen Beaudoin (Class of 2022)[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
29 Jan 2021, 12:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Darden Executive MBA Program Announces Batten Scholarship Opportunities |
|
New scholarship funds are available from the Batten Institute for Darden’s Executive MBA program! A pilot scholarship opportunity was recently announced for admitted Executive MBA students in the Class of 2023 who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, strong leadership skills and a drive for innovation. For the first-time ever, the Batten Scholars Program will offer a limited number of competitive, merit-based, partial-tuition scholarships to Executive MBA Program recipients who illustrate these characteristics. Applying for the Batten Scholarships Prospective Executive MBA students interested in applying for these scholarships must complete a supplemental essay as part of the Executive MBA program application. Applicants should develop a 500-word essay that addresses how they meet the criteria of the program, how they would contribute to the Darden community and how the award would further their career ambitions in entrepreneurship, innovation or technology. Learn more about applying to the Darden Executive MBA, including our monthly deadlines. For more information about Executive MBA scholarships and financial aid opportunities, visit our website. Batten Scholars Program Offers Wealth of Resources The Batten Scholars Program, sponsored and administered by Darden’s Batten Institute, supports a collection of scholarships for students admitted to Darden’s MBA programs. Batten Scholars benefit from access to programs and resources including mentorship and unique networking opportunities. The highly selective program empowers students with educational and experimental opportunities to grow. Learn more about the Batten Institute by visiting the website or listen to the Experience Darden podcast episode featuring Sean Carr, executive director of the Batten Institute. Entrepreneurial Leadership Thrives in Darden’s Executive MBA Program Darden Executive MBA students represent a tremendous variety of industries, professions, career goals and life stages. Students have access to many layers of support during their MBA program and beyond, including personalized resources and coaching from Darden’s Career Center. In recent years, a growing number of Executive MBA students have indicated an interest in entrepreneurship and innovation, and the program features an Executive MBA Entrepreneurship Club as well as a popular set of entrepreneurship-related electives, including “Entrepreneurial Thinking,” “Starting New Ventures,” “Effectual Entrepreneurship,” “Entrepreneurial Finance” and more. Executive students have taken advantage of opportunities to participate in the UVA Entrepreneurship Cup, the Venture Capital Bootcamp, Start-Up Academy and the summer incubator program. Darden’s entrepreneurial offerings continue to be ranked among the best in the world by publications like The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine. Most of the entrepreneurial resources and opportunities available to full-time MBA students are also available to Executive MBA (EMBA) and Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) students. To learn more about the scholarship program and the resources available to scholarship recipients, join Senior Director of Admissions Brett Twitty and Executive Director of the Batten Institute and Assistant Professor of Business Administration Sean Carr for an informational webinar about the Batten Scholars Program. Executive MBA Webinar: Batten Scholars Program Spotlight Tuesday, February 23, 2021 | 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM Register Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Darden Executive MBA Program Announces Batten Scholarship Opportunities first appeared on Discover Darden. |
29 Jan 2021, 12:01
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Darden Executive MBA Program Announces Batten Scholarship Opportunities |
|
New scholarship funds are available from the Batten Institute for Darden’s Executive MBA program! A pilot scholarship opportunity was recently announced for admitted Executive MBA students in the Class of 2023 who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, strong leadership skills and a drive for innovation. For the first-time ever, the Batten Scholars Program will offer a limited number of competitive, merit-based, partial-tuition scholarships to Executive MBA Program recipients who illustrate these characteristics. Applying for the Batten Scholarships Prospective Executive MBA students interested in applying for these scholarships must complete a supplemental essay as part of the Executive MBA program application. Applicants should develop a 500-word essay that addresses how they meet the criteria of the program, how they would contribute to the Darden community and how the award would further their career ambitions in entrepreneurship, innovation or technology. Learn more about applying to the Darden Executive MBA, including our monthly deadlines. For more information about Executive MBA scholarships and financial aid opportunities, visit our website. Batten Scholars Program Offers Wealth of Resources The Batten Scholars Program, sponsored and administered by Darden’s Batten Institute, supports a collection of scholarships for students admitted to Darden’s MBA programs. Batten Scholars benefit from access to programs and resources including mentorship and unique networking opportunities. The highly selective program empowers students with educational and experimental opportunities to grow. Learn more about the Batten Institute by visiting the website or listen to the Experience Darden podcast episode featuring Sean Carr, executive director of the Batten Institute. Entrepreneurial Leadership Thrives in Darden’s Executive MBA Program Darden Executive MBA students represent a tremendous variety of industries, professions, career goals and life stages. Students have access to many layers of support during their MBA program and beyond, including personalized resources and coaching from Darden’s Career Center. In recent years, a growing number of Executive MBA students have indicated an interest in entrepreneurship and innovation, and the program features an Executive MBA Entrepreneurship Club as well as a popular set of entrepreneurship-related electives, including “Entrepreneurial Thinking,” “Starting New Ventures,” “Effectual Entrepreneurship,” “Entrepreneurial Finance” and more. Executive students have taken advantage of opportunities to participate in the UVA Entrepreneurship Cup, the Venture Capital Bootcamp, Start-Up Academy and the summer incubator program. Darden’s entrepreneurial offerings continue to be ranked among the best in the world by publications like The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine. Most of the entrepreneurial resources and opportunities available to full-time MBA students are also available to Executive MBA (EMBA) and Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) students. To learn more about the scholarship program and the resources available to scholarship recipients, join Senior Director of Admissions Brett Twitty and Executive Director of the Batten Institute and Assistant Professor of Business Administration Sean Carr for an informational webinar about the Batten Scholars Program. Executive MBA Webinar: Batten Scholars Program Spotlight Tuesday, February 23, 2021 | 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM Register Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Darden Executive MBA Program Announces Batten Scholarship Opportunities first appeared on Discover Darden. |
01 Feb 2021, 09:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: 4 Vaccine Rollout Challenges, According to Darden Health Care Expert Vivian Riefberg |
|
By Caroline Newman, UVAToday Many people around the world have a common question on their mind: When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? The production and distribution of such a vaccine – the most promising tool (along with mask-wearing) for lifting the world out of the current pandemic – is a medical concern, of course, but it is also an operational challenge of epic proportions. Vivian Riefberg, a health care expert and professor of practice in the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, called it “one of the most complicated mass mobilizations and product distribution launches the world has ever attempted.” Riefberg is the David C. Walentas Jefferson Scholars Foundation Professor. “We are introducing multiple novel vaccines to huge numbers of people, with different storage and administration regimens for different vaccines,” she said “And, we want to – we must – do it very quickly. We have never launched a set of products like this in this country or in the world.” Riefberg, though not an M.D., is very well-acquainted with the operational challenges behind many health care efforts, as well as public sector leadership. Before joining Darden in August, she worked with consulting firm McKinsey & Company for 31 years, where she co-led their U.S. health care services practice, helping health care clients with the strategy, organization and operational issues behind all sorts of health care and public health problems. She also co-led the firm’s America public sector practice, where she worked extensively with public sector agencies on an array of operational and organizational issues. Riefberg brought that expertise to Darden in the middle of the current pandemic, and this fall team-taught a course on COVID-19 and decision-making alongside UVA Physicians Group CEO Corey Feist, interim UVA Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Matherne and the World Bank’s Ayhan Kose.  Vivian Riefberg co-led consulting firm McKinsey & Company’s U.S. health care services practice and America public sector practice before coming to Darden. (Photo by Jen Skipper, Jefferson Scholars Foundation) We caught up with Riefberg last week to talk about some of the logistical challenges of distributing current COVID-19 vaccine options, as countries around the world are working to vaccinate their citizens and, in the U.S., a new presidential administration hopes to hit 100 million vaccinations in 100 days and perhaps more, as President Joe Biden said yesterday he wants to get to 1.5 million vaccinations daily, instead of just 1 million. Here are four important challenges she identified – and her prediction for when we might get to “herd immunity.” Fixing the Demand vs. Supply Problem – and Bringing in New Vaccines Though the first month of the U.S. vaccine rollout was marked by logistical stumbles and infrastructure gaps, Riefberg believes those will resolve fairly quickly. The bigger problem, she said, is vaccine supply. “I think, in the next two months, we will likely have most of the infrastructure in place to distribute the vaccines, but demand will continue to substantially outstrip supply,” she said. “The key question is not just how we get to herd immunity, but how we get there quickly – in months instead of years.” Riefberg said the use of the Defense Production Act could be helpful. The act, passed in 1950, allows the U.S. government to require private companies to prioritize production of items necessary to national security. The Trump administration used the act some with regard to vaccine production; the new Biden administration is expected to use it even more. “I believe that will help with issues in the supply chain, and with shortages of materials needed to make and deliver the vaccines,” Riefberg said. Another possible influx of vaccine supply could come from pharmaceutical companies that are hoping their vaccines can gain emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the coming weeks and months. Chief among them are Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, two companies that are nearing the end of late-stage clinical trials and hope to join Moderna and Pfizer, the two companies with vaccines available right now. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine needs only a single dose; while the others require two doses several weeks apart. However, Johnson & Johnson has already acknowledged some manufacturing issues that could slow down their vaccine production. “We need to be thinking about strategies for integrating all of these vaccines – some of which may have different levels of efficacy – and distributing them equitably, especially if there are real differences in the efficacy,” Riefberg said. Building Public-Private Partnerships Online retail giant Amazon made headlines recently for sending a letter to the Biden administration offering to help with vaccine distribution. Riefberg said such offers are hardly surprising – “it’s natural that any business would want in on one of the government’s top priorities, especially if they are interested in enhancing their health care businesses.” But, she said, it’s important for federal, state and local governments and private companies to find productive ways to work together. “We have to recognize that this is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort – not just between the federal government and the states, but among the more than 3,000 counties in the U.S., and the full array of community organizations and various traditional and non-traditional health care delivery enterprises that make up our fragmented health care system, if we are going to get the job done well and fast,” she said. On the private side, if the government is going to partner with Amazon, or with commercial pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens. “How can we take advantage of their reservation systems, or the ways they distribute the flu shot, or the shingles shot I got this past year?” Riefberg asked. “We have to figure out how to use the infrastructure we already have, in a coordinated way. … The Amazons, CVSs and Walgreens of the world have a lot of experience with storage, logistics and movement issues. How can they share with the government? How can public and private work together?” Finding More Equitable Ways to Distribute the Vaccine Riefberg raised concerns about equitable distribution of the vaccine, including to communities harder-hit by the virus, such as Black or Latino communities. Equitable means of signing up for vaccination should also be considered. Internet-only signups, for example, would exclude people without internet access, or perhaps elderly people who have more trouble navigating the internet. Communities that do not have ready access to pharmacies or hospitals are also at a disadvantage; as are patients without cars or public transportation that can help them get to and from vaccination clinics. To solve this problem, Riefberg favored working with organizations that already have a long history of successfully working in the community, from national organizations like the NAACP or UnidosUS to local churches and community centers. “We need to work with organizations that are already embedded and trusted parties in at-risk communities, to help them educate people and then bring them to trusted organizations to get appointments and get vaccinated,” Riefberg said. “We also need to consider solutions like mobile vaccination clinics, which could be especially helpful with vaccinations with less stringent temperature requirements.” Education is critical, especially in minority communities that have too often faced discrimination abuse in the health care system. “I am not sure enough is being done to alleviate concern among underrepresented minorities who have been the subject of problematic, discriminatory health care actions in the past,” Riefberg said. “How do we gain confidence and trust?” Riefberg invited both Dr. David Wilkes, dean of UVA’s School of Medicine, and Dr. Taison Bell, director of UVA’s Medical Intensive Care Unit, to speak to her Darden classes about disparities in health care. Wilkes has worked to diversify the ranks of health care faculty members, serving since 2013 as national director of the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The program seeks to increase the number of medical, dental and nursing faculty from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Bell was among the first UVA Health employees to receive the vaccine and has been an outspoken advocate on social media, helping to educate followers about the vaccine and his experience with it. “Both of these men are really helping and are really showing how we can all be part of the solution,” Riefberg said.  Dr. Taison Bell (EMBA ’20) was among the first UVA Health employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at UVA and has been an outspoken advocate for the vaccine on social media. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications) Collecting and Sharing Better Data Simple information is another challenge. Right now, it’s hard to tell exactly how many doses have been given and where they have gone, Riefberg said. “There is a lot of confusion around information and data,” Riefberg said, noting that the data especially breaks down around the “last mile” – the gap between where vaccines are shipped and where and how many are actually given. “There seems to be a disconnect between shipping data from the companies, and then data from the federal level to the state level, the state level to the local level tracking where those shipments actually end up, and when the vaccines actually get into people’s arms,” she said. “We need a better reservation and follow-up system end to end – not necessarily a centralized system, but one capable of sharing information.” Hoping for Herd Immunity All things considered, Riefberg said she is hopeful that the U.S. will achieve or nearly achieve herd immunity by the fall, or at least by the end of 2021. However, she expects it will be nearer the fourth quarter of the year, rather than spring, before any American at any time can simply walk into a pharmacy and get a COVID-19 vaccine, like you would a flu shot. “I might be slightly more pessimistic than some,” she acknowledged, “but I think we will get to herd immunity in 2021, and I think we can meet and surpass the new administration’s original goal of giving 100 million vaccinations in 100 days.” Originally published on UVAToday. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post 4 Vaccine Rollout Challenges, According to Darden Health Care Expert Vivian Riefberg first appeared on Discover Darden. |
01 Feb 2021, 09:01
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: 4 Vaccine Rollout Challenges, According to Darden Health Care Expert Vivian Riefberg |
|
By Caroline Newman, UVAToday Many people around the world have a common question on their mind: When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? The production and distribution of such a vaccine – the most promising tool (along with mask-wearing) for lifting the world out of the current pandemic – is a medical concern, of course, but it is also an operational challenge of epic proportions. Vivian Riefberg, a health care expert and professor of practice in the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, called it “one of the most complicated mass mobilizations and product distribution launches the world has ever attempted.” Riefberg is the David C. Walentas Jefferson Scholars Foundation Professor. “We are introducing multiple novel vaccines to huge numbers of people, with different storage and administration regimens for different vaccines,” she said “And, we want to – we must – do it very quickly. We have never launched a set of products like this in this country or in the world.” Riefberg, though not an M.D., is very well-acquainted with the operational challenges behind many health care efforts, as well as public sector leadership. Before joining Darden in August, she worked with consulting firm McKinsey & Company for 31 years, where she co-led their U.S. health care services practice, helping health care clients with the strategy, organization and operational issues behind all sorts of health care and public health problems. She also co-led the firm’s America public sector practice, where she worked extensively with public sector agencies on an array of operational and organizational issues. Riefberg brought that expertise to Darden in the middle of the current pandemic, and this fall team-taught a course on COVID-19 and decision-making alongside UVA Physicians Group CEO Corey Feist, interim UVA Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Matherne and the World Bank’s Ayhan Kose. Vivian Riefberg co-led consulting firm McKinsey & Company’s U.S. health care services practice and America public sector practice before coming to Darden. (Photo by Jen Skipper, Jefferson Scholars Foundation) We caught up with Riefberg last week to talk about some of the logistical challenges of distributing current COVID-19 vaccine options, as countries around the world are working to vaccinate their citizens and, in the U.S., a new presidential administration hopes to hit 100 million vaccinations in 100 days and perhaps more, as President Joe Biden said yesterday he wants to get to 1.5 million vaccinations daily, instead of just 1 million. Here are four important challenges she identified – and her prediction for when we might get to “herd immunity.” Fixing the Demand vs. Supply Problem – and Bringing in New Vaccines Though the first month of the U.S. vaccine rollout was marked by logistical stumbles and infrastructure gaps, Riefberg believes those will resolve fairly quickly. The bigger problem, she said, is vaccine supply. “I think, in the next two months, we will likely have most of the infrastructure in place to distribute the vaccines, but demand will continue to substantially outstrip supply,” she said. “The key question is not just how we get to herd immunity, but how we get there quickly – in months instead of years.” Riefberg said the use of the Defense Production Act could be helpful. The act, passed in 1950, allows the U.S. government to require private companies to prioritize production of items necessary to national security. The Trump administration used the act some with regard to vaccine production; the new Biden administration is expected to use it even more. “I believe that will help with issues in the supply chain, and with shortages of materials needed to make and deliver the vaccines,” Riefberg said. Another possible influx of vaccine supply could come from pharmaceutical companies that are hoping their vaccines can gain emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the coming weeks and months. Chief among them are Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, two companies that are nearing the end of late-stage clinical trials and hope to join Moderna and Pfizer, the two companies with vaccines available right now. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine needs only a single dose; while the others require two doses several weeks apart. However, Johnson & Johnson has already acknowledged some manufacturing issues that could slow down their vaccine production. “We need to be thinking about strategies for integrating all of these vaccines – some of which may have different levels of efficacy – and distributing them equitably, especially if there are real differences in the efficacy,” Riefberg said. Building Public-Private Partnerships Online retail giant Amazon made headlines recently for sending a letter to the Biden administration offering to help with vaccine distribution. Riefberg said such offers are hardly surprising – “it’s natural that any business would want in on one of the government’s top priorities, especially if they are interested in enhancing their health care businesses.” But, she said, it’s important for federal, state and local governments and private companies to find productive ways to work together. “We have to recognize that this is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort – not just between the federal government and the states, but among the more than 3,000 counties in the U.S., and the full array of community organizations and various traditional and non-traditional health care delivery enterprises that make up our fragmented health care system, if we are going to get the job done well and fast,” she said. On the private side, if the government is going to partner with Amazon, or with commercial pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens. “How can we take advantage of their reservation systems, or the ways they distribute the flu shot, or the shingles shot I got this past year?” Riefberg asked. “We have to figure out how to use the infrastructure we already have, in a coordinated way. … The Amazons, CVSs and Walgreens of the world have a lot of experience with storage, logistics and movement issues. How can they share with the government? How can public and private work together?” Finding More Equitable Ways to Distribute the Vaccine Riefberg raised concerns about equitable distribution of the vaccine, including to communities harder-hit by the virus, such as Black or Latino communities. Equitable means of signing up for vaccination should also be considered. Internet-only signups, for example, would exclude people without internet access, or perhaps elderly people who have more trouble navigating the internet. Communities that do not have ready access to pharmacies or hospitals are also at a disadvantage; as are patients without cars or public transportation that can help them get to and from vaccination clinics. To solve this problem, Riefberg favored working with organizations that already have a long history of successfully working in the community, from national organizations like the NAACP or UnidosUS to local churches and community centers. “We need to work with organizations that are already embedded and trusted parties in at-risk communities, to help them educate people and then bring them to trusted organizations to get appointments and get vaccinated,” Riefberg said. “We also need to consider solutions like mobile vaccination clinics, which could be especially helpful with vaccinations with less stringent temperature requirements.” Education is critical, especially in minority communities that have too often faced discrimination abuse in the health care system. “I am not sure enough is being done to alleviate concern among underrepresented minorities who have been the subject of problematic, discriminatory health care actions in the past,” Riefberg said. “How do we gain confidence and trust?” Riefberg invited both Dr. David Wilkes, dean of UVA’s School of Medicine, and Dr. Taison Bell, director of UVA’s Medical Intensive Care Unit, to speak to her Darden classes about disparities in health care. Wilkes has worked to diversify the ranks of health care faculty members, serving since 2013 as national director of the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The program seeks to increase the number of medical, dental and nursing faculty from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Bell was among the first UVA Health employees to receive the vaccine and has been an outspoken advocate on social media, helping to educate followers about the vaccine and his experience with it. “Both of these men are really helping and are really showing how we can all be part of the solution,” Riefberg said. Dr. Taison Bell (EMBA ’20) was among the first UVA Health employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at UVA and has been an outspoken advocate for the vaccine on social media. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications) Collecting and Sharing Better Data Simple information is another challenge. Right now, it’s hard to tell exactly how many doses have been given and where they have gone, Riefberg said. “There is a lot of confusion around information and data,” Riefberg said, noting that the data especially breaks down around the “last mile” – the gap between where vaccines are shipped and where and how many are actually given. “There seems to be a disconnect between shipping data from the companies, and then data from the federal level to the state level, the state level to the local level tracking where those shipments actually end up, and when the vaccines actually get into people’s arms,” she said. “We need a better reservation and follow-up system end to end – not necessarily a centralized system, but one capable of sharing information.” Hoping for Herd Immunity All things considered, Riefberg said she is hopeful that the U.S. will achieve or nearly achieve herd immunity by the fall, or at least by the end of 2021. However, she expects it will be nearer the fourth quarter of the year, rather than spring, before any American at any time can simply walk into a pharmacy and get a COVID-19 vaccine, like you would a flu shot. “I might be slightly more pessimistic than some,” she acknowledged, “but I think we will get to herd immunity in 2021, and I think we can meet and surpass the new administration’s original goal of giving 100 million vaccinations in 100 days.” Originally published on UVAToday. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post 4 Vaccine Rollout Challenges, According to Darden Health Care Expert Vivian Riefberg first appeared on Discover Darden. |
03 Feb 2021, 11:01
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: ‘The return on investment became very clear:’ Why Christy Sisko Chose Darden’s Global Exec MBA |
|
Today on the blog we’re excited to feature a Q&A with Christy Sisko, a GEMBA format student in the Executive MBA Class of 2022. New to the series? Check out our earlier profile of [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/01/21/grammy-awards/]Washington Chorus Executive Director Stephen Beaudoin[/url] and be sure to keep an eye on the blog for additional student profiles in the coming weeks. Interested in even more student interviews? Add [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/]The ExecMBA Podcast[/url] to your weekly download. New episodes are published every Friday! [b]What is your current role? What is your professional/academic background?[/b] Currently, I am a Project Director for Chemonics International in our Middle East and North Africa region. I oversee our economic growth project portfolio focusing primarily in Tunisia and Jordan. I have been in international development for the past 10 years working primarily in Afghanistan, throughout Europe and Eurasia and most recently in the Middle East to develop and implement programs focused on access to finance, women’s economic empowerment and business competitiveness. [img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/Afghanistan-photo-300x190.jpg[/img] Christy Sisko (GEMBA ’22) in Afghanistan I studied international business as my undergraduate major at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and I always knew I wanted to work globally and help others to the greatest extent that I could. My mission is to give the opportunity to grow and prosper to those who need it most. [b]How did you decide to pursue an MBA?[/b] I knew in undergrad that I wanted to get my MBA one day. The biggest investment I have and will ever make in myself is my education, and I am always seeking ways to grow and learn. The journey to actually applying for school spanned several years as I battled competing priorities at the office and at home and discovered what I needed from the program I would eventually attend. I also reached a point in my career that I knew I would benefit from gaining diverse perspectives outside of international development, new skills that would strengthen my leadership capabilities in my current role and an opportunity to expand my network. The return on investment became very clear. [b]What led you to Darden?[/b] [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Christy-Sisko-Profile-Photo.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Christy-Sisko-Profile-Photo-300x204.jpg[/img][/url] Christy Sisko (GEMBA ’22) The case method and the feeling I got every time I interacted with someone from Darden is what brought me here. I was introduced to the case method in undergrad and those cases are what I remember most from my four years. I knew that style of learning worked for me and I was (and am) 100% dedicated to learning in this program, not just memorizing information, or getting a certain GPA. I keep saying to myself, “I need this brain of mine to grow as much as possible over these next 21 months,” and this meant case-style learning for me. When I interacted with anyone from Darden, it always felt like I had known them for years and I could feel their genuine connection to the larger Darden community – it was a family and I wanted in. [b]I knew that I wanted to be a part of an active and interconnected community that shares a common purpose of making a positive impact in the world.[/b] After a few months in the program, I could not describe the Darden community in a better way. [b]What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?[/b] It is difficult to put into words the amount of growth you experience in such a short amount of time. It is intimidating at first, especially if you have been in the same industry or the same role for some time, but it is incredibly rewarding. I am using different, yet critical, skills that my current role has not demanded but a future role most certainly will. I am meeting new, amazing people that I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. I am developing opinions that I have not had the chance to voice before. I am finding a new confidence in myself that comes from being challenged, stretched, and vulnerable. It is all thanks to Darden. I feel myself becoming someone I am really excited about and I get to bring that evolution of me to my job every day. [b]What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] Stop thinking about it and go for it. There will never be a perfect time. You will have the support and encouragement you need to succeed. You will grow in ways that did not seem possible and your eyes will be open to things you never thought of before. Darden gives you the full package of top-quality education, remarkable people, opportunities to stretch, and the opportunity to truly enjoy the journey you are on. Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/02/03/christy-sisko-exec-mba/]'The return on investment became very clear:' Why Christy Sisko Chose Darden's Global Exec MBA[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
03 Feb 2021, 12:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: ‘The return on investment became very clear:’ Why Christy Sisko Chose Darden’s Global Exec MBA |
|
Today on the blog we’re excited to feature a Q&A with Christy Sisko, a GEMBA format student in the Executive MBA Class of 2022. New to the series? Check out our earlier profile of [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/01/21/grammy-awards/]Washington Chorus Executive Director Stephen Beaudoin[/url] and be sure to keep an eye on the blog for additional student profiles in the coming weeks. Interested in even more student interviews? Add [url=https://dardenexecmbapodcast.podbean.com/]The ExecMBA Podcast[/url] to your weekly download. New episodes are published every Friday! [b]What is your current role? What is your professional/academic background?[/b] Currently, I am a Project Director for Chemonics International in our Middle East and North Africa region. I oversee our economic growth project portfolio focusing primarily in Tunisia and Jordan. I have been in international development for the past 10 years working primarily in Afghanistan, throughout Europe and Eurasia and most recently in the Middle East to develop and implement programs focused on access to finance, women’s economic empowerment and business competitiveness. [img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/Afghanistan-photo-300x190.jpg[/img] Christy Sisko (GEMBA ’22) in Afghanistan I studied international business as my undergraduate major at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and I always knew I wanted to work globally and help others to the greatest extent that I could. My mission is to give the opportunity to grow and prosper to those who need it most. [b]How did you decide to pursue an MBA?[/b] I knew in undergrad that I wanted to get my MBA one day. The biggest investment I have and will ever make in myself is my education, and I am always seeking ways to grow and learn. The journey to actually applying for school spanned several years as I battled competing priorities at the office and at home and discovered what I needed from the program I would eventually attend. I also reached a point in my career that I knew I would benefit from gaining diverse perspectives outside of international development, new skills that would strengthen my leadership capabilities in my current role and an opportunity to expand my network. The return on investment became very clear. [b]What led you to Darden?[/b] [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Christy-Sisko-Profile-Photo.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/01/Christy-Sisko-Profile-Photo-300x204.jpg[/img][/url] Christy Sisko (GEMBA ’22) The case method and the feeling I got every time I interacted with someone from Darden is what brought me here. I was introduced to the case method in undergrad and those cases are what I remember most from my four years. I knew that style of learning worked for me and I was (and am) 100% dedicated to learning in this program, not just memorizing information, or getting a certain GPA. I keep saying to myself, “I need this brain of mine to grow as much as possible over these next 21 months,” and this meant case-style learning for me. When I interacted with anyone from Darden, it always felt like I had known them for years and I could feel their genuine connection to the larger Darden community – it was a family and I wanted in. [b]I knew that I wanted to be a part of an active and interconnected community that shares a common purpose of making a positive impact in the world.[/b] After a few months in the program, I could not describe the Darden community in a better way. [b]What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?[/b] It is difficult to put into words the amount of growth you experience in such a short amount of time. It is intimidating at first, especially if you have been in the same industry or the same role for some time, but it is incredibly rewarding. I am using different, yet critical, skills that my current role has not demanded but a future role most certainly will. I am meeting new, amazing people that I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. I am developing opinions that I have not had the chance to voice before. I am finding a new confidence in myself that comes from being challenged, stretched, and vulnerable. It is all thanks to Darden. I feel myself becoming someone I am really excited about and I get to bring that evolution of me to my job every day. [b]What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] Stop thinking about it and go for it. There will never be a perfect time. You will have the support and encouragement you need to succeed. You will grow in ways that did not seem possible and your eyes will be open to things you never thought of before. Darden gives you the full package of top-quality education, remarkable people, opportunities to stretch, and the opportunity to truly enjoy the journey you are on. Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/02/03/christy-sisko-exec-mba/]'The return on investment became very clear:' Why Christy Sisko Chose Darden's Global Exec MBA[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
09 Feb 2021, 12:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Insights from ‘Dynamo’ Olivia Pavco Giaccia (Class of 2022) |
|
First Year Olivia Pavco Giaccia (Class of 2022) was recently profiled in a UVAToday article, which called her a ‘Darden Dynamo’ and was highlighte as Darden’s #MBAoftheweek on Instagram. Olivia Pavco-Giaccia is a recipient of a Jefferson Fellowship, who wants to inspire a new generation of young girls through science. Since she was a teenager, Pavco-Giaccia has sought and found innovative ways to help women through her affinity for science. She was also a cellist in the Yale University Symphony Orchestra, spent time in the White House working under then Vice President Joe Biden, and has been a successful producer and host in Hollywood. Pavco Giaccia recently shared more on her journey to business school, and why despite initial reservations about pursuing an MBA, Darden has become a bit of a haven! By Olivia Pavco Giaccia: Three years ago, MBA school wasn’t on my radar. I was an entrepreneur and a creative – in my mind, roles that weren’t compatible with business school. Also, if I’m being honest with myself, I had reservations about the MBA route because it had been years since I took an in-depth math class. I wondered what contributions I could make in an academic environment filled with former investment bankers and private equity analysts who had built their careers on numbers.  Olivia Pavco-Giaccia (Class of 2022) After having spent a semester at Darden, I can tell you that my reservations were wrong. My stereotype about MBAs as ‘just’ investment bankers or private equity analysts was hilariously outdated – especially at Darden, where the case-method experience is predicated on a diversity of student backgrounds and opinions. Non-traditional backgrounds are welcomed here, and my fabulous section (Section C is the best) includes everyone from former opera singers to special education teachers to stand-up comedians. That’s not to say that transitioning into business school as a non-traditional candidate was perfectly seamless. I went from having never taken a finance class to being expected to build my first discounted cash flow analysis within the first three weeks of school. It felt a bit like drinking from a fire hose — but along with that academic intensity and rigor comes a bevy of resources designed to ease that transition. First and foremost, the people at Darden are wonderful. Our professors are phenomenal (shout out to Ting!) and they are incredibly generous with their time outside of class. If I finished a class with questions remaining about the case, I always had the opportunity to jump into my professors’ personal Zoom rooms and work through the problems. Darden also offers a non-evaluative summer course called Darden Before Darden, which helps you catch up on some of the fundamental concepts from Darden’s quant heavy classes. Lastly, the strong bonds that develop among members of our First Year learning teams foster both academic supports and personal friendships. I’ve really enjoyed working and growing with the members of my team – they have brought not only great insights to our case prep but also a healthy dose of fun into the process.  Pavco Giaccia tries to make time each week to visit The Barracks Farm and ride a horse. “The facility is beautiful and they have an awesome community of folks from across UVA.” What I’ve found here at Darden is a supportive community of students and faculty who value a diversity of experiences. The program does a great job of bringing us together to ask big questions and participate in active discourse. If that’s a next step that you’re interested in taking, don’t let fear or outdated stereotypes stand in your way. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Insights from 'Dynamo' Olivia Pavco Giaccia (Class of 2022) first appeared on Discover Darden. |
09 Feb 2021, 12:00
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Insights from ‘Dynamo’ Olivia Pavco Giaccia (Class of 2022) |
|
First Year Olivia Pavco Giaccia (Class of 2022) was recently profiled in a UVAToday article, which called her a ‘Darden Dynamo’ and was highlighte as Darden’s #MBAoftheweek on Instagram. Olivia Pavco-Giaccia is a recipient of a Jefferson Fellowship, who wants to inspire a new generation of young girls through science. Since she was a teenager, Pavco-Giaccia has sought and found innovative ways to help women through her affinity for science. She was also a cellist in the Yale University Symphony Orchestra, spent time in the White House working under then Vice President Joe Biden, and has been a successful producer and host in Hollywood. Pavco Giaccia recently shared more on her journey to business school, and why despite initial reservations about pursuing an MBA, Darden has become a bit of a haven! By Olivia Pavco Giaccia: Three years ago, MBA school wasn’t on my radar. I was an entrepreneur and a creative – in my mind, roles that weren’t compatible with business school. Also, if I’m being honest with myself, I had reservations about the MBA route because it had been years since I took an in-depth math class. I wondered what contributions I could make in an academic environment filled with former investment bankers and private equity analysts who had built their careers on numbers. Olivia Pavco-Giaccia (Class of 2022) After having spent a semester at Darden, I can tell you that my reservations were wrong. My stereotype about MBAs as ‘just’ investment bankers or private equity analysts was hilariously outdated – especially at Darden, where the case-method experience is predicated on a diversity of student backgrounds and opinions. Non-traditional backgrounds are welcomed here, and my fabulous section (Section C is the best) includes everyone from former opera singers to special education teachers to stand-up comedians. That’s not to say that transitioning into business school as a non-traditional candidate was perfectly seamless. I went from having never taken a finance class to being expected to build my first discounted cash flow analysis within the first three weeks of school. It felt a bit like drinking from a fire hose — but along with that academic intensity and rigor comes a bevy of resources designed to ease that transition. First and foremost, the people at Darden are wonderful. Our professors are phenomenal (shout out to Ting!) and they are incredibly generous with their time outside of class. If I finished a class with questions remaining about the case, I always had the opportunity to jump into my professors’ personal Zoom rooms and work through the problems. Darden also offers a non-evaluative summer course called Darden Before Darden, which helps you catch up on some of the fundamental concepts from Darden’s quant heavy classes. Lastly, the strong bonds that develop among members of our First Year learning teams foster both academic supports and personal friendships. I’ve really enjoyed working and growing with the members of my team – they have brought not only great insights to our case prep but also a healthy dose of fun into the process. Pavco Giaccia tries to make time each week to visit The Barracks Farm and ride a horse. “The facility is beautiful and they have an awesome community of folks from across UVA.” What I’ve found here at Darden is a supportive community of students and faculty who value a diversity of experiences. The program does a great job of bringing us together to ask big questions and participate in active discourse. If that’s a next step that you’re interested in taking, don’t let fear or outdated stereotypes stand in your way. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Insights from 'Dynamo' Olivia Pavco Giaccia (Class of 2022) first appeared on Discover Darden. |
10 Feb 2021, 12:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Black Business Student Association Shares Starter Guide to Celebrating Black History Month |
|
The Black Business Students Association (BBSA) at the Darden School has been a champion for the wellbeing and interests of Black students for more than forty years. They have also used their platform to showcase the richness of Black culture and celebrate the many contributions and achievements of Black individuals in business and otherwise. The Darden Report shared, “This year, the BBSA is led by President Emily Kelly (Class of 2021), a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow and Forte Foundation Fellow, and Executive Vice President Jesse Wilkinson, who also serves as an interviewer for Darden student admissions and on the board of the Darden Consulting Club. A Howard University alumna, Kelly worked in the education and nonprofit sectors prior to Darden, fueled by her passion for expanding opportunity and wealth for marginalized groups. A Brigham Young University graduate who serves on the board of the university’s Black Alumni Society, Wilkinson worked in financial services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before Darden.”  UVA Darden Black Business Student Association President Emily Kelly (Class of 2021) and Executive Vice President Jesse Wilkinson (Class of 2021) This February, the BBSA encouraged the Darden community to “persistently seek understanding about the Black experience” and offered an online guide to help get started. Download BBSA’s curated PDF guide to celebrating Black History Month. The robust guide includes recommendations of virtual tours, music, podcasts, films and documentaries (many of which are readily available across streaming platforms). For more from BBSA, view the leadership board’s letter to the Darden community on the Diversity at Darden blog. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Black Business Student Association Shares Starter Guide to Celebrating Black History Month first appeared on Discover Darden. |
10 Feb 2021, 12:01
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Black Business Student Association Shares Starter Guide to Celebrating Black History Month |
|
The Black Business Students Association (BBSA) at the Darden School has been a champion for the wellbeing and interests of Black students for more than forty years. They have also used their platform to showcase the richness of Black culture and celebrate the many contributions and achievements of Black individuals in business and otherwise. The Darden Report shared, “This year, the BBSA is led by President Emily Kelly (Class of 2021), a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow and Forte Foundation Fellow, and Executive Vice President Jesse Wilkinson, who also serves as an interviewer for Darden student admissions and on the board of the Darden Consulting Club. A Howard University alumna, Kelly worked in the education and nonprofit sectors prior to Darden, fueled by her passion for expanding opportunity and wealth for marginalized groups. A Brigham Young University graduate who serves on the board of the university’s Black Alumni Society, Wilkinson worked in financial services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before Darden.” UVA Darden Black Business Student Association President Emily Kelly (Class of 2021) and Executive Vice President Jesse Wilkinson (Class of 2021) This February, the BBSA encouraged the Darden community to “persistently seek understanding about the Black experience” and offered an online guide to help get started. Download BBSA’s curated PDF guide to celebrating Black History Month. The robust guide includes recommendations of virtual tours, music, podcasts, films and documentaries (many of which are readily available across streaming platforms). For more from BBSA, view the leadership board’s letter to the Darden community on the Diversity at Darden blog. Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat The post Black Business Student Association Shares Starter Guide to Celebrating Black History Month first appeared on Discover Darden. |
11 Feb 2021, 09:00
| FROM Darden Admissions Blog: ExecMBA Alumni Democratizes Financial Planning with FinTech Startup |
|
Today, we continue [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/category/student-profile/executive-student-profile/]our Executive MBA profile series[/url] with a Q&A with alumnus, Jean Borno (EMBA ’17). Interested in connecting with current Executive MBA students and program alumni? Join Darden Admissions, members of our Black Executive MBA student organization and recent graduates on [b]Wednesday, 17 February at 6:00 p.m. EST[/b] for a virtual networking event! During this event, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in small group conversations and learn more about the impact of UVA Darden’s Executive MBA program. Build your network as you explore your MBA options. [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=68f21bab-1395-4ce3-86e8-e324b783ac73]Register for the event[/url]. [b]Q: What have you been up to since graduation from Darden?[/b] A: Since graduating from Darden in 2017, I have been working on the FinTech startup I launched from Darden and the i.Lab, [url=https://www.1787fp.co/]1787fp[/url].[url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/Jean-Borno-For-WP.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/Jean-Borno-For-WP-300x257.jpg[/img][/url] 1787fp is a powerful digital financial planning platform for young professionals that makes it super easy to build a cash reserve fund, pay off student loan debt, and/or save for a first home/condo. We secured a pre-seed round of investments, and that allowed me to pursue 1787fp full-time. We have been very fortunate to recruit some great board advisors to 1787fp including the former CTO of a publicly-traded online brokerage firm and a Stanford/MIT fintech expert and mentor. The process of building a new venture and team is very hard, and it has been a series of ups and downs. I have learned to use some of the setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. [b]Q: Where did you get the idea for 1787fp? [/b] A: I worked at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor. I noticed these firms did a great job catering to investors with more than $1 million dollars of investment assets, but they struggled to offer solutions for a large underserved market of young professionals that had a “good income” but nowhere close to $1 million to invest. I thought there had to be a better way to offer affordable financial advice, so I launched 1787fp from the UVA/Darden i.Lab to democratize financial planning and money management. The name 1787fp is a combination of 1787 + fp. The “fp” is for financial planning to distinguish 1787fp from many of our competitors that offer investments but are very light on actual financial planning. 1787 was the year of the US Constitution and represents independence and in our case, financial independence! [b]Q: How did you decide to pursue an MBA?[/b] [img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/IMG_4148-300x237.jpg[/img] Jean Borno (EMBA ’17) with former Georgia Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis A: I spent my career in financial services. and after completing the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, I considered pursuing the CFA charterholder certification, but I felt that path would have really only helped me become a better financial practitioner. I realized I was interested in something broader, and I started researching what skills would I need to become a CEO. I looked at the backgrounds of some of the CEOs I admired and found many of them had obtained MBA degrees from top business schools. I thought an MBA would offer both the training and the skills to build and run a national and possibly, a global company. From there, I researched the top MBA programs in the U.S. and narrowed down my list to a few top 15 programs. [b]Q: What led you to Darden?[/b] A: When I visited Darden, I sat in on a case study class with about sixty students. The student energy was lively and engaging. I noticed the professor asked questions to prompt students, and the students debated back and forth on various courses of action the case protagonist should take, coming up with both answers and actions. This was a huge contrast to the lectures I observed when visiting other schools. At the other MBA programs, the professors lectured at the students, and the students took notes. That felt stale to me. I live in the Washington, D.C. area, so Darden was convenient for me. Lastly, I was also impressed by the careers of some of Darden’s CEO alumni including Thomas Baltimore, Doug Lebda and Frank M. Sands, Sr. The combination of Darden’s case method of learning, students, professors, and tight-knit network sealed the deal. [b]Q: What has been the impact of your Darden experience?[/b] A: At Darden, I was working full-time, pursuing a full-time MBA in an executive format and raising a family. So after Darden, I felt prepared to handle any challenge that might come my way![img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/IMG_4870-300x225.jpg[/img] In addition, over the 21 months of the program, I read and discussed hundreds of cases, across a wide range of function areas – Operations, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, the list goes on. Through this experience, and by being surrounded by such talented classmates, I came to really understand my strengths, but I also learned to seek expert advice for those areas where I didn’t have as much expertise. Lastly, the program really emphasizes leadership development, and it definitely helped me understand how to place team members in positions where they can do their best work. [b]Q: What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] A: I have a few pieces of advice for them: [list] [*]Follow your passions and do what you love, then work is easier and fun.[/*] [*]Seek mentors that are a couple of steps ahead of where you want to be and reach back and mentor someone that is one or two steps from where you are today.[/*] [*]Become a good storyteller to sell your vision of the future and your career.[/*] [/list] Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/02/11/jean-borno/]ExecMBA Alumni Democratizes Financial Planning with FinTech Startup[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
11 Feb 2021, 09:01
| FROM Darden EMBA Blog: ExecMBA Alumni Democratizes Financial Planning with FinTech Startup |
|
Today, we continue [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/category/student-profile/executive-student-profile/]our Executive MBA profile series[/url] with a Q&A with alumnus, Jean Borno (EMBA ’17). Interested in connecting with current Executive MBA students and program alumni? Join Darden Admissions, members of our Black Executive MBA student organization and recent graduates on [b]Wednesday, 17 February at 6:00 p.m. EST[/b] for a virtual networking event! During this event, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in small group conversations and learn more about the impact of UVA Darden’s Executive MBA program. Build your network as you explore your MBA options. [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=68f21bab-1395-4ce3-86e8-e324b783ac73]Register for the event[/url]. [b]Q: What have you been up to since graduation from Darden?[/b] A: Since graduating from Darden in 2017, I have been working on the FinTech startup I launched from Darden and the i.Lab, [url=https://www.1787fp.co/]1787fp[/url].[url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/Jean-Borno-For-WP.jpg][img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/Jean-Borno-For-WP-300x257.jpg[/img][/url] 1787fp is a powerful digital financial planning platform for young professionals that makes it super easy to build a cash reserve fund, pay off student loan debt, and/or save for a first home/condo. We secured a pre-seed round of investments, and that allowed me to pursue 1787fp full-time. We have been very fortunate to recruit some great board advisors to 1787fp including the former CTO of a publicly-traded online brokerage firm and a Stanford/MIT fintech expert and mentor. The process of building a new venture and team is very hard, and it has been a series of ups and downs. I have learned to use some of the setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. [b]Q: Where did you get the idea for 1787fp? [/b] A: I worked at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor. I noticed these firms did a great job catering to investors with more than $1 million dollars of investment assets, but they struggled to offer solutions for a large underserved market of young professionals that had a “good income” but nowhere close to $1 million to invest. I thought there had to be a better way to offer affordable financial advice, so I launched 1787fp from the UVA/Darden i.Lab to democratize financial planning and money management. The name 1787fp is a combination of 1787 + fp. The “fp” is for financial planning to distinguish 1787fp from many of our competitors that offer investments but are very light on actual financial planning. 1787 was the year of the US Constitution and represents independence and in our case, financial independence! [b]Q: How did you decide to pursue an MBA?[/b] [img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/IMG_4148-300x237.jpg[/img] Jean Borno (EMBA ’17) with former Georgia Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis A: I spent my career in financial services. and after completing the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, I considered pursuing the CFA charterholder certification, but I felt that path would have really only helped me become a better financial practitioner. I realized I was interested in something broader, and I started researching what skills would I need to become a CEO. I looked at the backgrounds of some of the CEOs I admired and found many of them had obtained MBA degrees from top business schools. I thought an MBA would offer both the training and the skills to build and run a national and possibly, a global company. From there, I researched the top MBA programs in the U.S. and narrowed down my list to a few top 15 programs. [b]Q: What led you to Darden?[/b] A: When I visited Darden, I sat in on a case study class with about sixty students. The student energy was lively and engaging. I noticed the professor asked questions to prompt students, and the students debated back and forth on various courses of action the case protagonist should take, coming up with both answers and actions. This was a huge contrast to the lectures I observed when visiting other schools. At the other MBA programs, the professors lectured at the students, and the students took notes. That felt stale to me. I live in the Washington, D.C. area, so Darden was convenient for me. Lastly, I was also impressed by the careers of some of Darden’s CEO alumni including Thomas Baltimore, Doug Lebda and Frank M. Sands, Sr. The combination of Darden’s case method of learning, students, professors, and tight-knit network sealed the deal. [b]Q: What has been the impact of your Darden experience?[/b] A: At Darden, I was working full-time, pursuing a full-time MBA in an executive format and raising a family. So after Darden, I felt prepared to handle any challenge that might come my way![img]https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/files/2021/02/IMG_4870-300x225.jpg[/img] In addition, over the 21 months of the program, I read and discussed hundreds of cases, across a wide range of function areas – Operations, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, the list goes on. Through this experience, and by being surrounded by such talented classmates, I came to really understand my strengths, but I also learned to seek expert advice for those areas where I didn’t have as much expertise. Lastly, the program really emphasizes leadership development, and it definitely helped me understand how to place team members in positions where they can do their best work. [b]Q: What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?[/b] A: I have a few pieces of advice for them: [list] [*]Follow your passions and do what you love, then work is easier and fun.[/*] [*]Seek mentors that are a couple of steps ahead of where you want to be and reach back and mentor someone that is one or two steps from where you are today.[/*] [*]Become a good storyteller to sell your vision of the future and your career.[/*] [/list] Be sure to consult the [url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url]. And stay connected with us via social media: [url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url], [url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url], [url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url], [url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url], [url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url] The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/02/11/jean-borno/]ExecMBA Alumni Democratizes Financial Planning with FinTech Startup[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url]. |
|
|
||
Hi Generic [Bot],
Here are updates for you:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024 11:30am NY / 3:30pm London / 9pm Mumbai Watch earlier episodes of DI series below EP1: 6 Hardest Two-Part Analysis Questions EP2: 5 Hardest Graphical Interpretation Questions
Tuck at Dartmouth
AGSM at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
 |
