Valerie Kutsch

MIT (Sloan)

“Army veteran who believes in the potential of business to make a positive social impact.”

Hometown: Bozeman, MT

Fun Fact About Yourself: I grew up on a small farm in Montana – I raised cattle and horses, and even participated in rodeo pageants!

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy – Systems Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S Army- Intelligence Officer

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the school’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? I am drawn to the flexible nature of the curriculum. After the core semester, you are free to design your own path for three semesters, which allows students to really focus on their interests. I look forward to the opportunity to chart my own path by studying sustainable business practices and social responsibility. There is also the opportunity to have hands-on professional experience in the first semester – which is rare for most business schools. Even before starting the school year, I have spoken to many of my classmates who have chosen different track experiences to enhance their career progression. I think Sloan is the best place to design and personalize your MBA experience.

When you think of MIT, what are the first things that come to mind? How have your experiences with the Sloan program thus far reinforced or upended these early impressions? Sloan stands out to me because of how it fits within the larger MIT ecosystem. At Sloan, any interest can be cultivated and explored – which is a large part of the reason I chose this program. Working with NGOs throughout my Army career piqued my interest in humanitarian supply chains and disaster response logistics. MIT is unique in that it has a Humanitarian Supply Chain Lab for me to further develop my knowledge on these topics. I also appreciate the diversity of topics studied at the centers, labs, and research programs – ranging from nuclear energy to poverty studies.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? While engaging with the Sloan community, I have met people with backgrounds in non-profit, sports and politics. Despite the diverse experiences, everyone is curious about the world around them. I am excited to be surrounded by people who want to learn more and see how they can play an active role to make a positive change. I would also say my classmates are all humble overachievers. It’s not until deep into a conversation you learn about the incredible things people have accomplished!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While deployed to Afghanistan, I was directly responsible for the biometrics program in the entire country, which included 13 military bases. My team did everything related to biometric collection – from enrollment and training to quality control. I led the initiative to use information from our biometric database to glean relevant data and organize a reporting tool to inform base commanders on current security levels. We turned raw data into actionable information that increased protection for American soldiers. This tool provided information that was critical in informing security decisions that affected hundreds of lives.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? As I transitioned from the military, I knew business school would give me the opportunity to explore different industries as I pivot into a new career. I am excited to explore opportunities in consulting, impact investing, and corporate responsibility. In addition to exposure, I wanted the analytical curriculum to compliment the leadership skills I developed in the Army. I think an MBA gives me the foundation to pursue my interests while continuing to lead and develop others.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Tuck, Michigan Ross, USC Marshall

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? “What is one aspect of our program you don’t like or would change?” It was hard to answer this question on the spot- but in reality, no program is completely perfect. However, this question did allow me to demonstrate my knowledge of the program.

What was the most important factor in choosing a business school? How did you evaluate fit according to that factor? I knew coming into business school, I wanted to be challenged – so it was important to me that the school was not only academically rigorous, but would expose me to peers, professors, and ideas that would expand my thinking. To evaluate fit according to that factor, I spent a lot of time reading publications from the school (MIT Sloan Management Review, MIT Technology Review, etc.). I also spent a significant amount of time talking to current students- which I think is the best way to determine fit!

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? Attending the United States Military Academy and serving in the Army has defined who I am today. One of the most incredible aspects of the military is the amount of responsibility given at a young age. Leading over 40 soldiers at the age of 23 as a platoon leader developed my work ethic, resilience, and managerial skills. Most importantly, the people and relationships I made in the Army taught me this lesson: an organization is only as good as its people, and they are the most valuable resource.

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from studying it? I think ethical business supply chains are fascinating, and companies that take responsibility for their entire process deserve recognition and study. Certified B corporations like Patagonia and Athleta are leading the way in socially conscious labor and material sourcing.

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