2015 MBA To Watch: Meeae Annie Dienemann

Meeae Annie Dienemann

 

Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business

At SMU’s Cox School of Business, Meeae Annie Dienemann’s biggest lesson was that “the more you give, the more you get back.” During her two years MBA experience, she clearly gave back – and she capitalized on every opportunity that came her way. As a student, she was vice president of the Cox Investment Club, a Forte Fellow, and a Cox Distinguished MBA Scholar. In her spare time, she served as a consultant for the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. A former investment banker, Dienemann is moving to AT&T to work in mergers and acquisitions.

Age: 33

Hometown: Malmoe, Sweden

Undergraduate School: School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Undergraduate Degree: Korean and Economics

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. Senior Associate, M&A Advisory, Investment Banking

Where did you intern during the summer of 2014? Dimensional Fund Advisors, Austin (TX)

Where will you be working after graduation? AT&T Corporate Development, Associate

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I looked at my boss and realized I did not want to be him in 5 years.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…stuck in an occupation which left me feeling uninspired and unchallenged.”

What are your long-term professional goals? My long-term professional goals are to be in a leadership position where I feel challenged, inspired, and have the opportunity to continuously learn new things.

Favorite Courses: Options (Prof. Johann Sulaeman); Financial Reporting and Analysis (Prof. Susan Riffe); Organizational Behavior (Prof. Miguel Quiñones); Starting Your own Business II (Prof. John Terry)

Which academic or professional achievements are you most proud of? The first time a junior analyst on my team thanked me for being a great mentor who listened, taught, and challenged the team was the most satisfying moment of my professional career. I felt I was one step closer to becoming a good leader, and I knew that I was headed in the right direction.

Who would you most want to thank for your success (and why)? I have been on my own since I was 16 years old, and at times it has been very challenging. The emotional support provided by my best friend has been vital for me, and has truly enabled me to succeed.

Why did you choose this business school? My primary goal in going back to business school was to build a network in the U.S. which would help me get to the next stage in my career. For me, that means building personal connections. Interviewing with a number of top business schools, SMU Cox School of Business stood out as the school where the people who interviewed and met with me, showed a genuine interest in me.

What did you enjoy most about business school? I am continuously impressed by my peers; I have met some fantastic alumni through the alumni network. I find the faculty great and administrative staff truly supportive and amazing; and I had the amazing opportunity to connect with some really inspiring people through the SMU Cox mentor program–people who will remain mentors and friends for life. With so many positive experiences, it is truly difficult to pinpoint one experience that I enjoyed the most.

What is your most memorable moment from business school? During a period of challenging health issues and family problems, the support I got from the administrative staff, faculty and peers was humbling. That period of time will remain the most memorable time of my business school experience.

Fun fact about yourself: I visited Santa Claus in Sweden when I was 10-years-old and he told me a secret.

Favorite book: I have two favorite books: A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh and The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall

Favorite movie: I also have two favorite movies: Sound of Music (yes, the one with Julie Andrews singing “the Hills are Alive”) and Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Favorite musical performer: I do not have a favorite musical performer, but my favorite choreographer is Matthew Bourne.

Favorite television show: My favorite television show: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 

Favorite vacation spot: I don’t have a single favorite vacation spot. Instead, my favorite vacation is to visit my best friend or visit my sister and nephew no matter where they are.

What are your hobbies? I have many hobbies: Long-distance biking, running, reading, travelling, long walks/ hikes, my dogs.

What made Meeae Annie such an invaluable addition to the class of 2015?  

“SMU Cox is proud to nominate Meeae Dienemann as a Top 50 Full-Time MBA Class of 2015 graduate. Meeae is truly a citizen of the world. She is Korean by birth, grew up in Sweden, worked in M&A and Banking in London, Dubai and New York City, and is now planning on joining the Mergers and Acquisitions Group at AT&T. She is someone who loves knowledge and brings real world global experience to learning. She is brilliant in the board room, humble in the classroom, well informed, and has interests ranging from art to real estate.” – Marci Armstrong, SMU Cox Associate Dean of Graduate Programs.

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH FROM THE CLASS OF 2015