Emma Finkelstein 

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“I’m a dog-loving, beer-drinking news junkie who’s always up for an adventure.”

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Fun Fact About Yourself:  Michelle Kwan asked to borrow my Hillary Clinton campaign swag for Katy Perry at the Democratic National Convention in 2016…I never got it back.

Undergraduate School and Major: Davidson College – B.A. in Political Science

Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, UVA – Master’s in Public Policy (exp. 2021)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Chief of Staff at Meridian International Center, an international non-profit that strengthens U.S. engagement with the world through the exchange of people, ideas, and cultures.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My former organization had closed the books in the red every year for a little over a decade. My biggest accomplishment was being on the team that overhauled the financial management systems of the organization. Our work led Meridian to not only end the year in the black but with a surplus of over $200,000 two years in a row. Specifically, I pioneered and institutionalized the monthly financial analysis that married the financial and programmatic components of our work in a way that our executive team could actually understand and use to make decisions.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Fearless. Whether traveling the world, launching a new venture, or pivoting careers, I have been blown away by the bold way my Darden classmates pursue their passions. I am in awe of their energy and find it incredibly inspiring.

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? I have always believed that regardless of industry, sector, field or function, the key to success is people. You can have the best idea in the world, but if you can’t communicate effectively and motivate people, you are dead in the water. The case method prepares me for that reality. It allows me to do more than just learn the fundamentals of business; it enables me to practice communication, persuasion, and motivation while in the classroom every day. More than that, the case method means that I get to learn directly from the experiences of my classmates as well as my professors.

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? It is, hands-down, the academic rigor and intellectual community at Darden. As I was visiting other business schools and talking to alumni, it felt like the hardest part of some other programs was getting in. As a self-proclaimed dork, that wasn’t the graduate school experience I was looking for. I wanted somewhere that would genuinely challenge me. When I announced to Meridian’s Board of Trustees that I was going to UVA for graduate school, one of the Trustees, an MBA-grad himself, came up to my CEO to say, “Damn. Darden, huh? They are known for working their first years hard. Is Emma ready for that?” When my boss was jokingly telling me the story later that night, I was all the more sure I had made the right choice.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? There is so much I am looking forward to, but auditioning for the Cold Call Chorus is probably at the top of the list right now. It is an a-cappella group that rewrites popular songs to celebrate Darden’s unique personality and culture. Not only am I looking forward to getting back into singing, but also helping my classmates de-stress a bit with some feel-good satire. Keep your fingers crossed I make the cut – I need all the good vibes I can get!

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? I don’t remember specific questions, but knowing me, it probably had to do with what I wanted to recruit for at Darden. I have always prided myself as being a jack-of-all-trades without one, clearly defined interest area. There are just too many interesting challenges out there in need of good problem solvers! Most of the time that flexibility is a valuable asset, but it makes picking one recruitment track a daunting task. I have done a lot of personal reflection over the past year-and-a-half to focus my career objectives and plan for the recruitment process.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  When I finished my undergraduate degree, I thought I was going to work for a think tank in the international space or join the foreign service. That’s what my academic background was in and I felt prepared for that. But fate had a different plan when I fell in love with the organizational management components of my job as Chief of Staff at Meridian. I learned about how the budget demonstrates an organization’s values, how to set a strategic vision for a team, and how to set up for success towards that vision. It was a great four years, but I decided to pursue an MBA because I realized that in order to have the kind of impact I wanted to have in this arena, I needed to be better equipped for business-related roles.

What other MBA programs did you apply to?  Harvard Business School, Booth at the University of Chicago, and Stern at NYU

How did you determine your fit at various schools?  My business school selection process started with a spreadsheet – as I am sure it did for a lot of MBA candidates. I collected all sorts of information about schools: demographic breakdowns, rankings, costs, financial aid options, study abroad opportunities, curriculum details, etc. I wanted a generalist’s school without too much specialization, and I needed the flexibility for a dual degree. For all the stock I put in quantitative decision-making and logic, in the end, it came down to a gut feeling. I felt at home from the second I stepped onto Darden’s grounds. I could see myself walking through Saunders Hall and grabbing First Coffee with my classmates and professors. I knew that being a non-traditional business student wouldn’t be looked down on at Darden, but valued. All of the schools I applied to are phenomenal programs, but I can’t imagine going anywhere but Darden.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are?  On November 5, 2009, a shooter opened fire on Fort Hood army post in Texas. President Obama gave the eulogy for the 13 soldiers and 1 unborn child who lost their lives that day, praising their patriotism and calling on each and every American to live up to the same ideals. I read that speech over-and-over, with the hairs at the back of my neck standing on end and tears in my eyes, and immediately wanted to enlist in the armed services.

At 16 years old, I wasn’t allowed to and I have since come to realize that military service is not how I can do the most good. However, that calling to public service has not waned. I still feel that sense of duty to country. So, as an MBA also pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy, I feel compelled to use my knowledge and skillsets to serve my community and improve the lives of others.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?  I can’t say exactly where I will be in 10 years, but I see myself using emotional intelligence, quantitative analysis, and a diligent work ethic to solve some of the world’s most intransigent problems. From developing a clean energy economy that works for everyone in addressing the affordable housing crisis in this country, I hope to be at the intersection of the public, private, and civil sectors generating solutions.