Meet Cornell Johnson’s MBA Class of 2018

Emma Etheridge

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: As a former pole vaulter, fearlessness, grit and fortitude are central to my DNA.

Hometown: Lawrence, Massachusetts

Fun Fact About Yourself: While at Trinity College, I studied three languages – Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili.

Undergraduate School and Major: )

Trinity College-Hartford, BA in Hispanic Studies & University of Oxford, MSc in Latin American Studies

 

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

International OCD Foundation, Executive Assistant

Friendship Public Charter School, Office Manager

AMGlobal Consulting, Project Associate

Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), Director of Programs

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment has been leading a growth strategy for programs I oversee in my current role at the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR). I’ve had the opportunity to lead a small team and manage strategic initiatives from start to finish that positively impact the organization’s bottom line.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? No amount of research can replace the feeling you get when you visit a school. It’s the intangibles, the vibes you get from your interactions on campus and in the community that can clinch your decision and give you a real sense if it’s a fit. Visiting multiple schools is an investment of time and resources, but well worth it!

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Cornell’s Johnson School was an obvious choice for me. Given my interest in Strategic Human Resources Management, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take classes at Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Access and exposure to world-class HR experts, just a stone’s throw away, made Johnson a “no-brainer” for me. Ithaca being absolutely stunning didn’t hurt either!

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? My dream job is to be a Chief Diversity Officer at a Fortune 500 consumer goods company. Advancing diversity has always been a passion of mine, and leading diversity and inclusion efforts to positively impact human capital strategy and business results is the perfect intersection with my personal and professional goals.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program?  I would like my peers to say that they learned something positive from working with me and also gained a friend.