Meet Stanford GSB’s MBA Class Of 2020

Danny Reyes

Stanford Graduate School of Business

“I am an energetic and optimistic extrovert, consistently open to new experiences and ideas.”

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am the son of a Cuban immigrant

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School. Economics Major, Finance Concentration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: PGA Tour – New Ventures (On externship from BCG)

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The biggest accomplishment of my career so far comes from a case I worked at BCG. My team and I developed a new internal tool for a client that they had struggled to create themselves due to many internal roadblocks. Over the last two years, decision-makers at the firm have been consistently using the tool to make high-level decisions. As a consultant, it’s always special to hear about long lasting impact you’ve had at a company.

Describe your biggest accomplishment at Stanford GSB so far: My biggest accomplishment at the GSB so far is being elected Student Association Co-President with my roommate Bechir Pierre. We are both looking forward to working with faculty and students over the next year to make the GSB an even better experience for everyone.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The quality that best describes the MBA classmates I’ve met so far is diverse. I have been incredibly impressed by how diverse the class is in all respects: professional backgrounds, academic backgrounds, demographics, skills, interests, and more. If there’s a topic you want to talk to an expert on, you’d be hard pressed to not find someone in the class that can help.

Aside from your classmates, 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? The main factor that led to me choose the GSB was the fact that it would take me out of my comfort zone. I knew moving to the west coast, an area best-known for its tech scene, would take me out of both my geographic and professional comfort zone. In my opinion, seeking out new, unfamiliar experiences is the best way to maximize personal growth.

What club or activity have you enjoyed the most at Stanford GSB so far? The activity I’ve enjoyed the most at the GSB so far is the annual Sports Innovation Conference. Given my interest in sports business, it was incredible to hear from successful athletes such as Lance Armstrong and Shawn Johnston East as well as renowned industry thought leaders such as Condoleezza Rice, Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, and Golden State Warriors owner Peter Guber. I am looking forward to being part of the team that leads it next year!

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? While I studied business during undergrad, an MBA provided me an opportunity to learn business concepts with the added context of work experience. I also was captivated by the idea of learning alongside a large class of smart and interesting people, who have so many impactful experiences to share that can shape the way I view not only business but the world. A final reason for pursuing an MBA was that it provided the opportunity to take the time to explore various career interests and think critically about next steps in my career.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I also applied to HBS, Kellogg, and Booth.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Working at BCG, I benefited from being surrounded by coworkers who had attended each of the schools I applied to. They were, without a doubt, my greatest resource for determining fit as they knew both the school and me very well. I also sought out current students and alums who were heavily involved in the sports business scene at each of the schools. This allowed me to get a feel for which schools had the resources to best help me explore the industry I see myself working in, long term.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was deciding to leave the state of Florida for college, as it took me completely out of my comfort zone and exposed me to new ideas, cultures, and ways of thinking that have transformed me personally and professionally.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In my career, I see myself as a key decision-maker at an innovative player in the sports business industry. In my personal life, I see myself in the early stages of building a family.