Meet Maryland Smith’s MBA Class of 2018

Staci Bank

University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Staci Bank lives her life through the values of kindness, continuous improvement and collaboration.

Hometown: Plainview, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: I summited Mt. St. Helens, an active volcano in Washington with an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Maryland, B.S in Marketing and Supply Chain

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Starbucks Coffee Company: Leadership Development Associate, Senior Transportation Analyst, Senior Project Manager.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At Starbucks, I was able to work on multiple projects within the supply chain. One of the most rewarding projects was establishing a process for delivering coffee to the Starbucks Roastery – a new store concept that allows customers to learn about the roasting process while enjoying Starbucks beverages and local food.

As the senior transportation analyst, I was tasked with determining a strategy for delivering raw coffee beans (green beans) to the Roastery for the roasting team to start their production process. In order to maintain product quality, the green beans needed to be delivered inside a garage to protect the beans from weather exposure. I led a team of engineers, designers, transportation managers and procurement leaders to determine the most effective transportation project for this one-of-a-kind location. It took creativity and some architecture work to move a 10 foot truck in and out of a garage in order to make deliveries and pick up finished goods. As part of this project, I was able to support the Starbucks brand and set up a sustainable process for future roasting operations around the world.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? Keep your options open and focus on your strengths. Be concise when you are writing your essays and be creative. The schools are evaluating you as a fit for their program so do your research. Most importantly, make sure to take time to visit the school. By spending time in a class or speaking with current students, you will have the opportunity to truly understand the culture of the school and determine if it is the right place for your MBA journey.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I chose Maryland because of the community. The small class size allows for deep relationships with other classmates, professors, staff and alumni. Specifically, the school has a strong supply chain program, which is critical to business in today’s world. Maryland was the best fit for me because of the commitment to excellence, the passionate faculty and the opportunity to connect with leaders in the Washington, D.C and Baltimore areas.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? When looking at the opportunities in supply chain, I look for a company that values people. My dream job would be to work at a large company that is passionate about their people and become a manager within the supply chain function. With this role, I hope to work with various business units to help products get to market through innovative processes. I would like to help others develop into leaders and help them to succeed in their career.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? Over the next two years, I would like to be known as someone who is honorable, passionate, and adventurous. This is a time in our lives when we are able to grow as leaders and expand our horizons. I hope to be remembered as someone who was supportive and motivational in helping classmates reach their full potential.