Meet Dartmouth Tuck's MBA Class Of 2019

William Taylor

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Aspiring management consultant with a passion for building community through technology, retail, architecture and hospitality.

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Fun Fact About Yourself: One of my favorite times of the day is just after dawn, before everyone is even awake. I enjoy the freedom of my morning to prepare for whatever the day brings.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Bachelor of Science of Business Administration

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Wells Fargo Securities, Investment Banking Analyst – Consumer & Retail Group

Hudson’s Bay Company, Senior Analyst – Corporate Strategy Group

Hudson’s Bay Company, Director of Strategic Initiatives – Gilt and Saks OFF 5TH

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: When I left investment banking to join a client in their corporate strategy and development group, I knew I would have the opportunity to build on M&A skills from the inside. What I didn’t know is that over the next several years I would have the opportunity to work on three separate major acquisitions, growing the company more than three times.

When Hudson’s Bay Company began acquisition discussions with the Gilt Group, I was tapped to lead the integration of these two brands given my extensive work on the Saks Fifth Avenue acquisition. Through this role, I was instrumental in the opening of the first Gilt Shop, bringing e-commerce to brick-and- mortar in fewer than 60 days. To maintain the momentum and drive sales, I crafted the business plan for the five-member retail innovation team, which executes weekly in-store events that coincide with online flash sales.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? The process can be long and arduous, so make sure to pace yourself. From researching schools, studying for the GMAT/GRE, and completing the applications, I spent hours on the whole experience. The key is to set out on a path that allows you to successfully complete all the various steps of the process within an appropriate timeframe. If you don’t pace yourself, you will burn out. Take a deep breath. Tackle each stage with the appropriate level of gusto, and never give up!

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? For me, finding the right school that aligned with my goals was most important and what led me to choosing Tuck. When I began researching schools, I created a matrix to help narrow down options. I knew I wanted to attend a top institution where I would not only get a great education but also assimilate into the culture and atmosphere seamlessly. Upon visiting Dartmouth for DivCo (Tuck’s Diversity Conference), I grew confident that Tuck was my school. The diversity of student backgrounds and inclusive nature of the entire Hanover community made it an easy decision. I knew if I found the right school, I could focus all of my time on campus on achieving my goals.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? After my first year of business school, I would define success as heading off to work for a great company for the summer in an exciting city with confidence, knowing that I gave my first year experience 100% of my time and effort. This would also consist of several amazing new relationships and memories of an action-packed year with excitement to return for my second year and continue making an impact on campus and in my community.

Meet Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA Class Of 2019

William Taylor

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

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