Experience Darden

Experience Darden #131: In Conversation | GWIB President Natalia Alvarez Diaz (Class of 2022)

This weekend marks the occasion of Darden’s annual Diversity Conference! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Natalia Alvarez Diaz. Natalia is a second year student in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and she is also the President of the Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) club. In this wide-ranging conversation, Natalia reflects on a host of topics, ranging from her MBA journey and what led her to Darden to her passion for social justice and how community engagement has enriched her business school experience.

Experience Darden #130: Highlights From This Year’s Graduate Women In Business (GWIB) Conference

In this episode, we catch up with Second Year Full-Time MBA students Alex Goodman (Class of 2022) and Bridget Coburn (Class of 2022) to talk about plans for this year’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) Conference. Alex and Bridget also reflect upon their respective MBA journeys, what GWIB has meant to them during their time at Darden and what led them to serve on the GWIB Board as Vice Presidents of Conference.

Experience Darden #129: Josh Rombach (Class of 2022), Piiq | A Beverage Concept from Ancient Rome By Way of Sonoma

In this episode of the podcast, we continue our spotlight on student founders with a conversation with Josh Rombach (Class of 2022). Josh has recently launched a business focused on bringing piquette wine to the masses, Piiq. What is “piquette”? As the Piiq website notes, piquette dates back to Roman times, and it is an effervescent, sparkling wine. We talk with Josh about Piiq’s origins, how the Batten Institute and the Darden community have helped him in the early days of his venture and how Piiq is navigating the pandemic. Josh also offers reflections on his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden and more.

Experience Darden #128: Creating a New Story For Business | A Conversation with Professor Ed Freeman

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the seventh installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Ed Freeman. Freeman is a member of the Strategy, Ethics and Entrepreneurship faculty, and an academic director for UVA Darden’s Institute for Business in Society. We talk with Freeman and his background in philosophy, his work on stakeholder theory, and why we need a new story about business. Freeman also discusses his recent documentary, Fishing With Dynamite, as well as his new podcast, The Stakeholder Podcast. He also shares his top five “desert island” albums. Essential listening.

Experience Darden #127: A Deep Dive Into Dual Degrees

Calling all members of the full plate club. In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two of Darden’s dual degree students, Geoff Hansen (MBA/MSDS, Class of 2022) and Lyndsay Burke (MBA/M.Ed, Class of 2022), as well as Merav Frazier, Senior Associate Director, Global Recruitment. In this wide-ranging conversation, Geoff and Lyndsay share reflections on their decision to pursue a dual degree as well as insights about their coursework and class schedules. Merav also offers tips for prospective students considering one of Darden’s dual degrees.

Experience Darden #126: Highlighting the Breakthrough Scholars Program with Professor Greg Fairchild

In this special edition of the Admissions podcast, we welcome back Darden faculty member and friend of the pod Greg Fairchild. In this wide-ranging conversation, Fairchild shares insights about one of Darden’s newest scholarship initiatives – the Breakthrough Scholars Program – a scholarship offering focused on creating new opportunities for diverse candidates to thrive in fields of asset management. Fairchild also talks about his new role as CEO and Dean for UVA’s Northern Virginia initiatives as well as a number of Darden-related DC area projects – including the DC Dean’s Fellows, his latest Executive MBA elective and more.

Experience Darden #125: Asset Management and Darden | A Conversation with Rodney Sullivan

Curious about asset management? In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Rodney Sullivan, Executive Director of the Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management. We chat with Rodney about what led him to Darden, and the incredible resources and opportunities for Darden students interested in asset management – from courses – like Darden Capital Management, to summer internship support, to conferences – like the University of Virginia Investing Conference, to alumni relationships and more. Essential listening.

Experience Darden #124: Kate Bishop - A US Marine Corps Field Artillery Officer Comes to Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Kate Bishop (Class of 2022). Prior to Darden, Kate served in the United States Marine Corps, and we chat with her about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, how the Darden Military Association (DMA) supported her during her First Year, what she is looking forward to in her second year and more. Kate also shares insights about Building Goodness in April, Darden’s a student-run organization dedicated to keeping marginalized homeowners living in warmth, dignity and decency and to improving the facilities of local community groups.

Experience Darden #123: Special Episode | Engaging Virtually with Your Target MBA Programs

In this special episode of the podcast, members of Darden’s Admissions Committee’s and longtime friends of the podcast, Whitney Kestner, Catie Yeilding and Christian West, share tips for researching your target MBA programs. They offer insights and strategies for leveraging virtual events, social media, current students, alumni and more to learn about the people and the communities that will shape your MBA experience. With the COVID-19 pandemic shifting most Admissions events to virtual delivery for the foreseeable future, this episode is essential listening for any prospective student considering any of UVA Darden’s MBA formats.

Experience Darden #122: Mary Swan - From a Darden MBA to the West Point Classroom

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Mary Swan (Class of 2022). Mary is a second year student in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and prior to Darden, she attend the United States Military Academy and served as an officer in U.S. Army. We talk with Mary about her transition to Darden, how she spent her first year summer as well as her advice for prospective students. Interestingly, after Darden graduation, Mary will be returning to West Point where she will be an instructor.

Experience Darden #121: In Conversation | BBSA President Seyi Oyenekan (Class of 2022)

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Oluwaseyi “Seyi” Oyenekan (Class of 2022). Originally from Nigeria, Seyi is a second year student in our Full-Time MBA program, and she is also President of UVA Darden’s Black Business Student Association. We chat with Seyi about her MBA journey, how Darden ended up on her radar, adjusting to the Darden classroom and learning through the case method and her interest in pursuing an investment banking career in Houston, Texas. 

Experience Darden #120: Pranav Dalmia - A Passion for Business Ethics

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with recent Full-Time MBA graduate Pranav Dalmia (MBA ’21). During his time at Darden, Pranav founded the Business Ethics club. We talk with him about his passion for business ethics, why he thinks Darden’s practical, hands-on orientation to business education is so impactful and how he decided to pursue a PhD after graduation.

Experience Darden #119: Senior Associate Dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne | Announcing UVA Darden’s Part-Time MBA

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we welcome back friend of the pod, Senior Associate Dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne, to talk about UVA Darden’s newest MBA format, the Part-Time MBA. We also take time to check in with Yael about her first year leading the Executive MBA program, what she’s currently researching, why she’s so passionate about project management and how she’s processing England’s recent loss to Italy in the European Championship final.

Experience Darden #118: Leading Mindfully and Building Resilience | A Conversation with Professor Lili Powell

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the sixth installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Lili Powell. Powell is a member of the Communication faculty, and she also has a joint appointment with the UVA School of Nursing. We talk with her about her interest in mindfulness and resilience, as well as what she has learned from her work with healthcare providers. Powell also shares insights about how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped and redefined the ways we communicate with one another.

Experience Darden #117: In Conversation | Senior Director of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Christian West

Senior Director of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Christian West joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about his background, what led him to Darden, why he’s passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and what he’s looking forward to in the months ahead. We even find time to discuss Christian’s preferred coffee orders and his status as an undefeated southern California karaoke champion.

Experience Darden #116: Jing Xu – Launching a Kombucha Venture

In this episode we continue our spotlight on student founders with an interview with Jing Xu (Class of 2022). Jing has launched a coffee kombucha venture, Cobouchy, focused on creating a fermented coffee beverage that is all-natural, sparkling, probiotic and caffeinated. We talk with Jing about her entrepreneurial journey and how the Darden community helped her get started with her business. Jing also reflects on how serving as the University Judicial Council (UJC) Vice Chair for Graduate Students and University Judiciary Representative on the Darden Student Association helped shape her first year as a Darden student.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: UVA Darden | A Step by Step Application Guide

Please join our Admissions team for these special micro-podcast episodes giving you a step by step guide to the application process. There are two ways to listen to the playlist... here, on Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EtyMkjZzi9ErgSjrTxKEl?si=1bffd345fee549ad

Experience Darden #115:Daniel Dickey (MBA ’21) - Promoting Reading One Word at a Time

How do you get kids to read more? In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Daniel Dickey (MBA ’21) about his start-up venture, the Million Word Challenge, an app that was born from Dickey’s days in the classroom as a Teach for America volunteer and helps readers track how many words they read. Dickey also reflects upon his MBA journey, what led him to Darden, why he’s so passionate about education and the important role that books played in his own growth and development.

Experience Darden #114: The Business of a Sustainable Future | A Conversation with Professor Mike Lenox

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the fifth installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Mike Lenox. We talk with Lenox about what led him to Darden, why he thinks lecturing is dead, and why he’s so passionate about Darden’s high-engagement learning environment. Lenox also shares insights from his extensive work on climate change and sustainability, including findings from his recent books "Can Business Save the Earth" (2018) and "The Decarbonization Imperative" (2021), both from Stanford University Press.

Experience Darden #113: Catching Up with Chris Kraft, Host of the Career Queer Podcast (Class of 2022)

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with rising second year Full-Time MBA student, Chris Kraft (Class of 2022). Kraft is originally from Minnesota, and she reflects upon her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, as well as the challenges and the highlights from her first year as a Darden student. Kraft also hosts her own podcast – The Career Queer – and we even managed to find time to talk music, which given her connection to the Twin Cities naturally involved a discussion of Prince.

Experience Darden #112: Emerging Domestic Markets | A Conversation with Professor Greg Fairchild

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the fourth installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Greg Fairchild (MBA ’92). We talk with Fairchild about what it’s like to teach at Darden as an alumnus, why he’s passionate about entrepreneurship in rural and inner city communities as well as his work with the Resilience Project and the Darden Prison Program. Fairchild also reflects upon how his personal connection to the Tulsa Race Massacre has shaped his professional interests.

Experience Darden #111: Building a Better Sports Bra

Where some people see problems, other people see opportunities. We chat with Coco Woeltz (MBA ’21) and Isabelle Kayal Larsen (EMBA ’21) about Hummingbyrd, their sports bra and athletic apparel-focused venture. Woeltz and Larsen reflect upon their MBA journeys, what led them to Darden and how the venture courses and resources of the Batten Institute brought them together. Woeltz and Larsen  also share insights about the importance of friction points in the entrepreneurial journey and what they are learning as they work to take Hummingbyrd to the next level.

Experience Darden #110: All About the Application for the Class of 2024 with Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke

File under: Essential listening. Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke chats about the innovations for this year’s application, including essay optionality, the continuation of the test waiver pilot, and an update to the number of required recommendations. Dawna also shares her favorite tips and advice for Darden applicants, including the importance of approaching the application process with joy, excitement and pride in your accomplishments.

Experience Darden #109: Leading with Love and Pulling for the Underdog

DeMario Moore (Class of 2022) and Jen Bundy (Class of 2022) are the newly elected Darden Student Association (DSA) President and Executive Vice President. We chat with DeMario and Jen about their background, how they decided to pursue an MBA and what led them to Darden. They also share more about drew them to DSA leadership as well as their vision for the DSA in the year ahead. We also discuss their best advice for prospective students, and why everyone should have a folder in their inbox title “Greatness.”

Experience Darden #108: Opportunities and Challenges in US Healthcare Delivery - A Conversation with Professor Dennie Kim

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the third installment of our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Dennie Kim. We talk with Kim about his background growing up in New York City, how he knew he wanted to be a teacher, what attracted him to healthcare and how COVID-19 has highlighted challenges and inequities in the US healthcare system. Kim also shares his advice for MBA students considering a career in healthcare.