Experience Darden

Experience Darden #81: Admissions Committee members Catie Yielding and Whitney Kestner on "Your Darden Interview"

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Admissions Committee members, Catie Yielding and Whitney Kestner, for a conversation all about the Darden interview. If you are applying to Darden – or even better, if you are preparing for your Darden interview – this episode is essential listening.

Experience Darden #80: Rachel Gibson, MBA Class of 2021 and CEO of Darden Capital Management

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Rachel Gibson. Rachel is a second year student in our Full-Time MBA Class of 2021, and she is also the first female CEO of Darden Capital Management (DCM). We recently connected with Rachel via Zoom to talk more about Darden Capital Management, what her role as CEO entails, how the organization is navigating the investing turbulence caused by COVID-19 and much more.

Experience Darden #79: James Peterson, MBA Class of 2021

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with James Peterson. James is a second year student in our Full-Time MBA Class of 2021, and we recently connected via Zoom to talk more about his MBA journey including what led him to Darden, how he navigated his first year student at Darden as well as a student initiative he has helped start, The Sobriety Initiative.

Experience Darden #78: Miranda Grueiro, MBA Class of 2021 and Darden Student Association VP for Diversity

This weekend marks the occasion of the Darden Diversity Conference! In honor of the occasion, we recently connected with the Darden Student Association’s (DSA) VP for Diversity, Miranda Grueiro. Miranda is a second year student in our Full-Time MBA Class of 2021, and we caught up with her via Zoom to talk about her background, what led her to Darden, what attracted her to her role as VP for Diversity and how the DSA is working to make sure every Darden student feels valued and loved.

Experience Darden #77: Maggie Edmunds and Rebecca Welbourn, MBA Class of 2021, discuss Graduate Women in Business (GWIB)

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two leaders of our Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) student organization, Maggie Edmunds and Rebecca Welbourn. Maggie and Rebecca are both second year students in our Full-Time MBA Class of 2021, and we recently connected via Zoom to talk more about their backgrounds, what led them to Darden, what GWIB has planned for the weeks and months ahead and much more.

Experience Darden #76: Kathleen Llontop and Sofia Eckrich, Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management Liasons in the MBA Class of 2021

In this episode, we catch up with Kathleen Llontop and Sofia Eckrich. Kathleen and Sofia are second year students in our Class of 2021, and they are also Consortium liaisons. We connected with Kathleen and Sofia to talk about their backgrounds, how they decided to pursue an MBA, what attracted them to their roles as Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management liaisons and more. Did you know? This year’s Consortium class was Darden’s largest class ever, with 44 members!

Experience Darden #75: Andrew Pinckney and Natasha Pangarkar, MBA Class of 2021 discuss Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA)

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up Andrew Pinckney and Natasha Pangarkar. Andrew and Natasha are second year students in our full-time MBA Class of 2021, and they also serve as ROMBA fellows. ROMBA, Reaching Out MBA, is a non-profit organization focused on empowering LGBT+ MBA students and professionals, and we connected with Andrew and Natasha via Zoom to discuss their backgrounds, how they decided to pursue an MBA, what attracted them to their roles as ROMBA fellows as well as their advice for prospective students.

Experience Darden #74: Tom Steenburgh, Senior Associate Dean for the Residential MBA Program

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Tom Steenburgh. Tom is Senior Associate Dean for the Residential MBA Program, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about how Darden has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, the preparations that took place over the summer to get ready for the start of school, how classes are going thus far and more. Fun fact: Tom is a two-time guest on the podcast. If you’re new to the pod, be sure to check out Tom’s earlier interview, Episode 44.

Experience Darden #73: Sean Carr, Executive Director of the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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

Experience Darden #72: Amanda Wiggans, Class of 2021, President of Humans of Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we’re excited to feature our recent conversation with Second Year student Amanda Wiggans. In addition to being a dual degree student pursuing a joint MBA/M.Ed, Amanda is also President of the Humans of Darden student organization. We connected with her via Zoom to talk about her background, her passion for criminal justice, how she spent her summer, the value of organizations like Humans of Darden in an MBA community and much more.

Experience Darden #71: Marc Paulo Guzman, Associate Director, Diversity Recruitment

In this episode, we welcome back Associate Director, Diversity Recruitment Marc Paulo Guzman. We recently connected with Marc Paulo to talk more about current plans for this year’s Diversity Conference, as well as what he enjoys about his role and his advice for prospective students.

Experience Darden #70: Director of Admissions Catie Yeilding on New Admissions Innovations for This Year's Cycle

The start of a new application cycle can only mean one thing here on the podcast: A new application-themed episode! In this episode, we catch up with Director of Admissions, Catie Yeilding, to discuss some of our new admissions innovations for this year’s cycle. If you’re targeting our full-time MBA Class of 2023, this episode is essential listening.

Experience Darden #69: Professor Marc Lipson

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Professor Marc Lipson. Marc is a member of the Finance faculty, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about two academic prep offerings for incoming students he has been instrumental in designing and delivering, Darden Before Darden and B-Ready. We also chat about his background, what led him to Darden and even Bob Dylan during this wide-ranging conversation.

Experience Darden #68: Martin Davidson, Senior Associate Dean & Global Chief Diversity Officer and Christie Julien, Assistant Dean for Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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

Experience Darden #67: Special Edition with Professor Laura Morgan Roberts

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

Experience Darden #66: Harsha Gummagatta, MBA Class of 2021 and President of the Tech Club

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with rising Second Year student Harsha Gummagatta. Harsha is President of the Tech Club, and he is also host of A Professor and a Playlist, a new virtual Zoom event in which Darden faculty members share songs that are meaningful to them. Recent guests include Shane Dikolli, Ed Freeman, Lalin Anik and more. Be sure to check out the companion Spotify playlist for weekly selections.  

Experience Darden #65: Jeff Tang (MBA '13), Senior Director for General Management and Marketing Careers

In this episode of the podcast we connect with Jeff Tang (MBA ’13). In addition to being a Darden alumnus, Jeff is the new Senior Director for General Management and Marketing Careers at the Darden School of Business. We recently caught up with him via Zoom to talk about his background and what attracted to his new role with the Career Development team

Experience Darden #64: Megan Bailey and Henrique Lopes, MBA Class of 2021

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two of the newly elected leaders of the Darden Student Association (DSA), Megan Bailey and Henrique Lopes. We recently connected with Megan and Henrique via Zoom to talk about Quarter 4, their transition to virtual classes, what attracted them to their DSA roles and how the Darden community is staying connected during this time of physical distancing.  

Experience Darden #63: Jeff McNish, Assistant Dean for Career Development

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jeff McNish. Jeff is Darden’s Assistant Dean for Career Development and a repeat guest on the podcast. We recently connected with Jeff via Zoom to talk about how the Career team is supporting students during the coronavirus pandemic, the team’s early plans for our incoming Full-Time MBA Class of 2022 and more.

Experience Darden #62: Scott Beardsley, Dean of the UVA Darden School of Business

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

Experience Darden #61: Joanne Meier, Assistant Dean for Digital and Instructional Initiatives

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Joanne Meier. Joanne is Assistant Dean for Digital and Instructional Initiatives at the Darden School of Business, and we connected with her via Zoom to talk about the school’s experience transitioning to a fully virtual learning environment in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Experience Darden #60: Marc Johnson, Senior Executive Director for Global Affairs and Enterprise Initiatives

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Marc Johnson. Marc is a Darden alumnus (EMBA ’13), and he is also Senior Executive Director for Global Affairs and Enterprise Initiatives at the Darden School of Business. Marc has been at the center of the school’s response to the current coronavirus pandemic, and we recently connected with him via Zoom to talk about how things are going at the school and the University, the current state of planning for the Class of 2022, his advice for international students and much more.

Experience Darden #59: The Darden African Business Organization (DABO)

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two leaders of the Darden African Business Organization (DABO), Meti Aberra and Sindara Oyekola. Meti and Sindara are both second year students in our Class of 2020, and we sat down with them in Charlottesville a couple months ago to talk about their decision to pursue their MBA, what led them to Darden, what attracted them to their leadership positions with DABO, how DABO builds awareness about the African continent within the Darden community and more. Fun fact: Meti also has her own podcast. Check it out!

Experience Darden #58: Professor Greg Fairchild on Teaching Ethics through Literature

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Greg Fairchild. In addition to serving as a Professor in the Strategy, Ethics and Entrepreneurship area, Greg is also Associate Dean for Washington, DC Area Initiative, and we recently connected to talk with him about the Ethics through Literature elective he leads in the full-time MBA program. If you’re looking for a few reading recommendations during this time of social distancing, this podcast is essential listening.

Experience Darden #57: Dawna Clarke, Executive Director of Admissions

In this episode, we welcome Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke back to the podcast! We connected with Dawna to discuss recent updates to our Full-Time MBA application process in light of the global Coronavirus pandemic as well as her advice for Round 3 applicants. If you’re applying in Round 3, this episode is essential listening. Podcaster’s Note: This was our first “distance” podcast interview, and we’re excited to keep the podcast on the air during this time of social distancing.