Briana Provancha

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College

“I’m a sailor at heart, always have a goal, and enjoy a good challenge.”

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: This is the first time where I haven’t lived close to the ocean.

Undergraduate School and Major: Boston College, Management with Marketing Concentration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: The Hertz Corporation, Brand Marketing Manager– Social Media

What aspect of the school’s culture or values resonates most with you and why? The supportive community, engaged alumni, and Tuck’s dedication of making this a personal, connected, and transformative MBA experience made this a standout program for me.

Aside from your classmates and culture, 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 excited about the general management curriculum and the opportunity to develop a broad base of business skills.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates and why? My classmates have this confident humility and curiousness that is contagious. They are highly collaborative and caring.

What club or activity excites you most at this school? I’m excited about the global experiences offered at Tuck through the Global First Year Project (FYPGO) and Global insight Expedition (GIX).

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In 2016, I represented the United States in the Olympic Games in the sport of sailing. In order to compete at the highest level, my teammate and I had to fundraise over a million dollars and manage the budget and logistics of our campaign in addition to performing on the water.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I saw the opportunity to pursue an MBA as a way to challenge myself and my perspectives, grow as a leader, and learn from a diverse and encouraging group of peers. I was fortunate to begin my corporate career working at Hertz and those few years coupled with my athletic experience gave me the confidence that I could contribute meaningfully within an MBA environment.  It was important for me to pursue an MBA at the right time in my own journey as to maximize my potential within the program.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Kellogg, Booth, Harvard, UCLA Anderson, Carnegie Mellon Tepper

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process?
“You were so close to winning an Olympic medal, why did you stop?” I knew I had more to offer the world than being an athlete. It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to represent your country on the world’s biggest stage and I think about whether I made the right decision almost every day. I’m extremely fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who continue to inspire me to believe in this path.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? The more I talked to current students, the more I realized Tuck was the right place for me. I had the opportunity to participate in Tuck Next Step and that program solidified the importance of community and my potential for growth within a supportive environment. The one word I use to describe Tuck’s two-week Next Step program is transformative. I know after then that I wanted the full two-year experience.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? Retiring from Olympic sailing to start a second career in business was a pivotal decision for me. I gave sailing my absolute all and faced many challenges along the way which taught me resilience. Knowing the size of the (MBA) mountain that’s in front of me, I’m honored and humbled to climb this mountain and face challenges over the next two years with an amazing group of Tuckies.

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from them? Patagonia has a great balance of rational and emotional components that has made me a lifelong fan.  When I was an athlete, I wore Patagonia almost every day. Their products are simply the best. As someone who has spent half of my life on the ocean, I deeply appreciate their commitment to the environment.

DON’T MISS: MEET DARTMOUTH TUCK’S MBA CLASS OF 2022