Eleanor Reid Bergin (“Reid”) 

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“Fashion-loving New Orleans native imbued with joie de vivre and a desire to continually grow.”

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Fun Fact About Yourself:  My family’s house is haunted by a very friendly, albeit a bit mischievous, ghost.

Undergraduate School and Major:  Princeton University – Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:  Ralph Lauren – Innovation Team, Business Development Associate

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:  I’m particularly proud of the work I did in helping to launch and set the strategy for The Polo App. Not only is the app a new business model for the company, but more importantly, it is a means to connect with Ralph Lauren’s devoted fans. Seeing the impact first-hand that we had in helping to forge a stronger community around the brand – from meeting contest winners to organizing in-person events using the app – was incredibly meaningful to me.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why?  Engaging. Not only do Darden students have their own interesting backgrounds, but they’re also enthusiastic about getting to know each other. This community is defined by its strong camaraderie.

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager?  I was drawn to the case method because it teaches you not only fundamental business skills but also decision-making in an information-asymmetric environment, which parallels the real business world.

Aside from your classmates and cases, 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 strong community across students and faculty drew me to Darden. The faculty’s passion for teaching, ability to bring complex issues to life in the classroom, and desire to form relationships with students beyond the classroom were evident when I visited the grounds and illustrate why Darden continually ranks so highly in student satisfaction.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school?  I’m excited to explore the relationship between business and government, and their mutual impact on society broadly, through the Business and Public Policy Club.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? “If you can’t pursue a career along with your post-MBA goals, and you can’t return to your previous career, what field would you pursue?”

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I recognized that in order to take a quantum leap in my career, I needed additional skills and experiences to prepare me for the myriad of challenges one faces in eventual leadership positions.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? In addition to applying Early Action to Darden, I applied to HBS and Wharton.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I was particularly drawn to the case method and focused on the size of the class – recognizing that a smaller class size would be a better match for me. To determine fit, I spoke with many recent alumni and current students.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are?  In contrast to larger, singular watershed moments, my trajectory has been shaped by small vectors that collectively define who I have become: presenting my college paper to senior leadership at the Pentagon, representing the Ralph Lauren Innovation team at various external conferences, and mentoring high school girls who are interested in tech-oriented careers.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I plan to be in a leadership role, impacting corporate strategy.