Lena Anderson

“An island girl who traveled to seven continents, married a Minnesotan, and enjoys financial problems”

Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love working alongside my husband! We went to the same undergraduate school, we once had the same duty position in the Army, and now we are both getting our MBAs at Carlson with an emphasis in finance.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy, Bachelor of Science: Comparative Politics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Army: Signal Corps Captain

What has been your favorite part of the Twin Cities so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA?

The Twin Cities is a hidden gem with a thriving economy that offers fantastic job opportunities for MBA students. Beyond the usual perks of big cities like great food, what sets this city apart is its perfect blend of urban living and natural surroundings. Imagine biking by beautiful lakes or rivers and ending up at your favorite coffee spot or brewery.

Carlson MBA spend a year in hands-on Enterprise programs for Consulting, Branding, Ventures, and Funds. Which program do you intend to enroll in? What excites most about your Enterprise program?

I plan to enroll in the Funds Enterprise. The David S. Kidwell Funds Enterprise allows us to manage $50 million of real invested capital and we pitch new investments ideas to the enterprise faculty and assigned mentors who are presently working in the industry. We do not only learn the theory, but we are able test our knowledge in the current market.

Aside from your classmates, experiential learning, and location, what was the key part of the Carlson MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? 

Once the core MBA classes are complete during your first semester at Carlson, you are given the flexibility to individualize your next three semesters. If you conduct some self-reflection on your strengths and weaknesses, you can take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your weaknesses prior to joining the workforce.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

I had the privilege to serve as an Army officer for six years on active duty. In the Army, I was exposed to a wide variety of organizations such as Aviation, Engineer, Special Forces, and Air Defense Artillery. This experience taught me how to work with cross-functional teams and the importance of collectively working towards a common goal as an organization.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My biggest accomplishment so far is my internship offer at Target. I am excited to join the Financial Leadership Development Program this summer and I feel overjoyed to have received my dream offer.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

My best memory as an MBA so far has been the support that I have received from Carlson Alumni. Prior to even starting the program, Carlson graduates had been answering my coffee chats request and sharing their insights on best practices. Their approachability and willingness to help has been invaluable in my MBA journey and I am grateful to be part of such a supportive community.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Carlson MBA program?

 The Carlson School of Management is a small program. This is a benefit for applicants because it allows you to create a close relationship with Carlson students and faculty before your admission process begins. If you reach out to current students, we would be more than happy to help review your application or conduct mock interviews. We like to empower individuals to succeed and if you join our community that will be an ongoing support that you will receive until graduation and beyond.