Mollie Viater

Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Connector. Developer. Believer. I live joyfully, observe keenly, and acknowledge and cultivate the potential in others.”

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve provided two options below.

• I am the fourth of five children in a tight-knit family. My parents decided to make life complicated (in the best way) for my siblings and I by giving us all “M” names: Matthew, Melissa, Mitchell, Mollie, and Maggie.
• I am married to a fellow GSB classmate named Joe. Together, we are known as “MoJo.”

Undergraduate School and Major: Purdue University; Bachelor of Science degrees in Management and Marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Eli Lilly and Company, U.S. Quality & Strategy Consultant

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Stanford GSB’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The GSB’s mission starts with changing lives, and mine does too. My personal mission is to help others live lives filled with motivators by helping them unlock the gifts that reside within them. I chose the GSB as it provides the best offerings to catalyze my mission. Specifically, the GSB’s programming provides unparalleled experiential-learning opportunities to refine self-understanding; experiment across dimensions of interpersonal dynamics; tackle problems with creativity and a focus on growth; and approach life with intentionality and a reverence for each person’s story.

What has been the most surprising thing that you’ve learned about Stanford GSB so far? Coming in, I knew that everyone here would be world-class at something, but experiencing my classmates selflessly share their gifts for the benefit of our community never fails to astound me.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My classmates are generous givers. See answer above.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I led strategy development and implementation for a 250-person organization, directed our quality performance management system, and owned U.S. environmental analysis for Lilly’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and other key leadership stakeholders.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I have spent the last 9 months in the “learning zone,” stretching myself to experience life in new ways. Beyond expanding my mindset in the classroom, I have learned how to dance salsa and Bollywood, performed in our annual “GSB Show,” ran my first half-marathon, and invested in understanding world religions and cultures.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Harvard Business School, Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, Duke’s Fuqua School of Business

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? This experience has further fortified my belief that with the right community, training, and mindset, we are capable of doing unbelievably hard things.

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant looking to join the Stanford GSB Class of 2023? Spend intentional time getting to know yourself, your purpose, your dreams, and your gifts. Get crystal clear on what matters to you and what motivates you. Understand how these insights translate to sharing your gifts with a world who desperately needs them. Champion yourself and your story.

DON’T MISS: MEET STANFORD’S MBA CLASS OF 2022