Meet the Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2019

Dayna Hine

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less:  Driven to constantly learn and grow, while making time to play sports and bake cupcakes

Hometown: Southbury, Connecticut

Fun Fact About Yourself: I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area after graduating from college without a job, a small amount of savings and two duffel bags. I ate oatmeal for almost every meal for 3 months until I finally landed a job and was able to stay. Needless to say, I can make a mean oatmeal.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Connecticut: Political Science, Women’s Studies, Human Rights (minor)

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

• Women’s Funding Network: Office Coordinator, External Affairs Associate
• Business for Social Responsibility: Staff Accountant
• Girls Who Code: Program Coordinator, Operations Manager, Senior Operations Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment so far is leading the team that built the systems and process infrastructure at Girls Who Code. Building the organization’s infrastructure from the ground up was both incredibly challenging and rewarding. I had the opportunity to work with, and learn from incredible coworkers – while building a movement bigger than any of us could have imagined in the beginning. I’m proud that my work contributed to helping thousands of young women see potential in themselves and learn skills that will help them advance in school and their careers.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Invest a good amount of time reflecting on who you are before writing the admissions essays. There are a lot of very accomplished people applying to business school – so it’s important to use the essays to show the school who you really are and what you stand for.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Social impact and entrepreneurship. Ross has an established history of investing in social impact initiatives and continues to be a leader in the space. I gravitated towards the school’s investment in social impact programs and clubs. I appreciated the opportunity to recruit for consulting while remaining connected to social impact clubs and opportunities, like the Social Venture Fund. Ross also stood out in the way it connects all students to social impact. For example, during orientation all students participate in an Impact Challenge during which students spend the week supporting local non-profit organizations.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?  Great question – I’ve been thinking about this often as I prep for the fall. My first year will be a success to me if I am able to secure an internship that interest and challenges me, participate in social impact clubs at Ross and invest in relationships with my Ross classmates and faculty.