Experience Darden

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.

Experience Darden, Episode 41: An Interview with Larry Mueller, Assistant Dean of Global Advising

We’re excited to add an additional host to the podcast - Director of Admissions, Whitney Kestner! In this episode, Whitney catches up with Larry Mueller, Assistant Dean, Global Advising. Whitney and Larry discuss the many resources available to international students at Darden, as well as life in Charlottesville and the University of Virginia. 

Experience Darden, Episode 40: An Interview with Marc Johnson, Senior Director for Global Affairs and Enterprise Initiatives

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Marc Johnson. Marc is the Senior Director for Global Affairs and Enterprise Initiatives at the Darden School, and we recently sat down to talk with him about Darden’s many global opportunities, the value of the case method as well as what he enjoys about Charlottesville. This episode is highly recommended for prospective students seeking additional insights about Darden Worldwide Courses as well as the Darden Worldwide Scholarship.

Experience Darden, Episode 39: An Interview with Jeanne Liedtka, Senior Associate Dean for Degree Programs

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jeanne Liedtka. Jeanne is the United Technologies Corporation Professor of Business Administration, and she is also Darden’s Senior Associate Dean for Degree Programs. Jeanne is widely known for he work in the area of Design Thinking, and we recently sat down to talk with her about what led her to Darden, why she’s so passionate about Design Thinking, her advice for prospective students as well as what MBA students can learn from Picasso, Dali and Gaudi.

Experience Darden, Episode 38: An Interview with David Touve, Senior Director, Ventures with the iLab at UVA

Calling all entrepreneurs! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with David Touve. David is Senior Director, Ventures with the iLab at UVA, and in this wide-ranging conversation, David details a number of the resources available at Darden and UVA for entrepreneurially-inclined students. If you like this episode, we also recommend checking out our earlier conversation with Sean Carr, Executive Director, Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, as well as our interview with the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club.

Experience Darden, Episode 37: An Interview with Sarah Elliott and Ed Warwick of Darden's Student Affairs Team

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Sarah Elliott and Ed Warwick. Sarah and Ed are members of Darden’s Student Affairs team, and we recently sat down to talk with them about what they enjoy about working with Darden students, the resources the Office of Student Affairs provides, how Learning Teams are assembled as well as their advice for incoming Darden students.

Experience Darden, Episode 36: An Interview with Max Linden, Class of 2020 & President of the Darden Student Association

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with second year student, Max Linden. Max is President of the Darden Student Association (DSA), and we recently sat down to talk with him about his background, what led him to Darden, what the DSA has in store for the year ahead and his advice for prospective students. Pro Tip: For additional DSA-related listening, be sure to check out our previous interview with last year’s DSA President, Tom Gonzalez.

Experience Darden, Episode 35: An Interview with GWIB Leaders Laura Brokaw and Lauren Shaw

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Second Year students, Laura Brokaw and Lauren Shaw. Laura and Lauren are both leaders of Darden’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) student organization, and we recently sat down to talk with them about what led them to Darden, what GWIB has planned for the coming year and how their career and curricular interests have involved during their time in business school.

Experience Darden, Episode 34: An Interview with Christie Julien, Assistant Dean for Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Christie Julien. Christie is Darden’s Assistant Dean for Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and she is also the newest member of Darden’s Enterprise leadership team. We sat down with Christie as she approached her one month anniversary in her role to talk about what attracted her to Darden, why she’s passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and her goals and plans for the months ahead.

Experience Darden, Episode 33: An Interview with Darden Healthcare Club Leaders Casey Skittle and Rachel Leitner

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Second Year students, Cassandra “Casey” Skittle and Rachel Leitner. Casey and Rachel are both leaders in our Healthcare Club, and we recently sat down to talk with them about their interest in healthcare, what drew them to Darden, what they’ve enjoyed about the experience so far as well as their advice for students who are considering a career in the healthcare industry. Pro Tip: Casey is a MD/MBA student, and this podcast is highly recommended for anyone considering this dual degree.

Experience Darden, Episode 32: An Interview with Mike Lenox, Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy Officer

In this episode of the Experience Darden podcast, we catch up with Mike Lenox. Mike is the Tayloe Murphy Professor of Business Administration as well as Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy Officer for the Darden School of Business. We recently sat down with Mike to talk about what led him to Darden, why he’s passionate about sustainability and green innovation, what he feels distinguishes and defines the Darden MBA experience as well as his advice for prospective students.

Experience Darden, Episode 31: Pride at Darden

In honor of National Coming Out Day, we’re excited to share our recent conversation with two leaders of our Pride at Darden student organization, Lauren Habig and Dan Tempest. Lauren and Dan are both Second Year students in our Class of 2020, and we sat down with them to discuss their backgrounds, what led them to Darden, what Pride at Darden has in store for the coming year as well as their advice for prospective students.

Experience Darden, Episode 30: An Interview with Marc Paulo Guzman, Associate Director for Diversity Recruitment

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Marc Paulo Guzman! Marc Paulo is Associate Director for Diversity Recruitment and a two-time guest on the podcast. We recently sat down with Marc Paulo to talk more about our recent Diversity Conference as well as the upcoming Consortium application deadline. Pro Tip: Be sure to also check out Marc Paulo’s earlier interview.

Experience Darden, Episode 29: An Interview with Temi Adekanbi, Class of 2020

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Temitope “Temi” Adekanbi. Temi is a Second Year student in our Class of 2020 and President of Darden’s Black Business Student Association (BBSA). We recently sat down to talk about her summer internship in Seattle, her plans for her second year and what programming BBSA has in store in the year ahead.

Experience Darden, Episode 28: Tips and Interview Insights for Darden Applicants

Just in time for our Round 1 deadline, we welcome Dawna Clarke and Cheryl Jones to the podcast! In this wide-ranging conversation, Dawna and Cheryl share application tips and interview insights, what they love about Charlottesville as well as recommendations for making the most of an Admissions Networking Reception. This episode is essential listening for all Darden applicants.

Experience Darden, Episode 27: An Interview with Cristina Wong-Namura, Darden Class of 2020

The Experience Darden podcast is back! In this episode, we catch up with Cristina Wong-Namura. Cristina is a Second Year in our Class of 2020, and we sat down to talk about how she decided to pursue an MBA, her recent summer internship experience, what she’s excited about accomplishing in the year ahead and her advice for prospective students.

Experience Darden, Episode 26: An Interview with recent graduate Tanvi Pritmani (MBA '19)

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with recent graduate, Tanvi Pritmani. Tanvi is originally from Singapore, and we sat down with her to talk about how she decided to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, and what she enjoyed about her Darden Worldwide Course to Patagonia this past Spring.

Experience Darden, Episode 25: An Interview with recent graduate Lydia Zodda (MBA '19)

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with recent graduate, Lydia Zodda. Lydia comes from a performing arts background, and we caught up with her to talk about how she decided to pursue an MBA and how she has managed to fuse her business education with her passion for the arts.