Experience Darden

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.

Experience Darden #56: Lindsay Johnson, MBA Class of 2021

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Lindsay Johnson. Lindsay is a First Year student in our Class of 2021, and we sat down to talk about her background in entertainment and media, why she decided to pursue an MBA, her interest in brand management as well as her experience applying to Darden through the Consortium. We recorded this episode with Lindsay a few months ago, and over the next couple weeks, we’ll be clearing out our interview vault, but stay tuned for new episodes as well. We’re excited to announce that we’ve identified a remote solution that will allow us to keep the podcast going during this time of social distancing.

Experience Darden #55: The Asia Business Club at Darden (ABCD)

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Clement Le Royer and Yun “Chris” Lou, two Second Year students in our Class of 2020. Clement and Chris are leaders of the Asia Business Club at Darden (ABCD), and we recently sat down with them to talk about their backgrounds, what led them to Darden, how ABCD supports students and what they hope to accomplish in the months prior to graduation.

Experience Darden #54: Sarah Costa, MBA Class of 2021

In this episode of the Experience Darden podcast, we catch up with Sarah Costa. Sarah is a First Year student in our Class of 2021, and she is also mom. We recently sat down with Sarah to talk about her decision to pursue an MBA, what brought her to Darden, how her Learning Team has helped her navigate the first year experience, and how she has juggled the demands of school and parenting.

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Experience Darden #53: Pursuing Jobs in Financial Services

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two leaders of the Finance Club, Anne-Catherine Begley and Jay Patel. Anne-Catherine and Jay are both Second Year students in our Class of 2020, and we sat down with them to talk more about the job search process for students interested in Financial Services and how the Finance Club supports students pursuing this career path. Did you know that, for our Class of 2019, Financial Services was the second most popular post-graduate destination, with 24.4% of graduates accepting jobs in this industry? True story.

Experience Darden #52: Casey Floyd, Director of Employer Engagement and Recruiting

In this episode, we catch up with Director of Employer Engagement and Recruiting, Casey Floyd. Casey recently launched her own podcast, The Employer Perspective, in which she sits down recruiters to talk about the hiring process and what they’re looking for in candidates. We talk with Casey about the inspiration for her podcast as well as the work she does leading Darden’s Employer Engagement efforts.

Experience Darden #51: Admissions Update with Whitney Kestner, Director of Admissions

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Director of Admissions, Whitney Kestner. Whitney shares updates about Round 2, tips and insights for Round 3 applicants as well as guidance for applicants prepping for their Darden interview. We also find time to bust up some common myths around Round 3. Essential listening for anyone applying to Darden’s Full-Time MBA Program.

Experience Darden #50: Adam Miller, MBA Class of 2020

In this episode, we catch up with Second Year Adam Miller. Adam Miller applied to Darden through the Consortium, and he also hosts a popular MBA podcast called, The MBA Candidate. We sat down with him to talk about what led him to Darden, life as both a first year and now a second year student, his work with Darden’s Prison Program, his goals for his final months as an MBA student and what inspired him to launch his own podcast.

Experience Darden #49: Robyn Swift, Director of West Coast Initiatives for the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Robyn Swift. Robyn is Director of West Coast Initiatives for the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and we caught up with her during her recent trip to the East Coast to talk about the work she is doing to deepen the connections between Charlottesville and the Bay Area, the Batten Institute’s Connect program (now in SFO and Austin!), and Darden’s growing alumni presence in San Francisco and Tech generally. This episode is highly recommended for anyone interested in innovation, entrepreneurship and/or technology.

Experience Darden, Episode 48: An Interview with Haley Whitlock Gyory, Director of Admissions

Meet Haley Whitlock Gyory! Haley is a Director of Admissions, and she leads our women’s recruitment efforts. During this episode, we talk with Haley about her background, the work she does with our Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) club as well as the Forte Foundation, why she’s passionate about women’s recruitment, and next steps for candidates seeking to learn more about Darden.

Experience Darden, Episode 47: An Interview with Jordan Hart, MBA Class of 2020

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jordan Hart. Jordan is a Second Year student in our Class of 2020, and we recently sat down with her to talk about her summer internship, her extracurricular activities as well as her plans post-graduation. Jordan is President of the Tech Club, VP of Admissions for the Graduate Women in Business club and she also serves on the Second Year Student Admissions Committee (SAC).

Experience Darden, Episode 46: An Interview with Joey Burton, Executive Director for Darden's Institute for Business in Society

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Joey Burton. Joey is Executive Director for Darden’s Institute for Business in Society (IBIS), and we recently sat down with him about what brought him to Darden, how IBIS supports faculty research and how this research impacts the classroom experience as well as how Darden helps train responsible leaders.

Experience Darden, Episode 45: An Interview with Ed Yu, Senior Director for Investment Banking Careers

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Ed Yu. Ed is Senior Director for Investment Banking Careers with Darden’s Career Development Center (CDC), and we recently sat down to talk with Ed about his background, how the CDC prepares students for the Investment Banking interview process as well as why Darden is such a great fit for future investment bankers.

Experience Darden, Episode 44: An Interview with Tom Steenburgh, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and the Full-Time MBA Program

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Tom Steenburgh. Tom is the Richard S. Reynolds Professor of Business Administration, and he is also Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and the Full-Time MBA Program. We recently sat down with Tom to talk about his background, what brought him to Darden, what he enjoys about his role as Senior Associate Dean, and how he feels the two years of MBA study, including pre-matriculation activities, fit together.

Experience Darden, Episode 43: Advice, Insights and Tips for Military Applicants to Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we take a deep dive into the application experience for military candidates. We catch up with Executive Director of Admissions, Dawna Clarke, as well as Darden Military Association (DMA), Brigitte Fox and Burton “Pierce” Lee. Brigitte and Pierce share more about their respective backgrounds, what led them to Darden, as well as their advice for military candidates, and Dawna offers insights and tips about navigating the admissions process.   

Experience Darden, Episode 42: Latin America Special

A double feature! Whitney Kestner returns to host an episode all about Latin America. This installment of the podcast features conversations with Executive Director of Admissions, Dawna Clarke, as well as two students from our Class of 2020 - Julie Calderon Benavente and Henrique Argollo. Dawna shares more about what she loves about recruiting in Latin America and why Darden is such a great fit for students from this region. Julie and Henrique discuss their backgrounds (Editor’s Note – Julie is from Peru, Henrique is from Brazil), why they chose Darden, what they’ve enjoyed about learning in the case method and the community they’ve found in Charlottesville.