Kathryn (Kate) Bayeux  

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College

“Devoted to making a difference through my career, volunteer opportunities, and interpersonal relationships.”

Hometown: Basking Ridge, NJ

Fun Fact About Yourself: The first time I went scuba diving was in the Great Barrier Reef—I was not yet certified, but I was able to go on a guided dive with an instructor. It was one of the most breathtaking and humbling experiences I have ever had.

Undergraduate School and Major: Villanova University, Economics & Psychology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Policy & Market Analysis Associate

What word best describes the Tuck MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far and why? Community. Tuck students and alumni are more than just nice; everyone truly cares about the success of everyone else and is willing to go above and beyond what I expected or experienced previously. While researching schools, I spoke to more students at Tuck than at any other school. This was because each student I spoke with referred me to one student after another after learning what I was interested in studying at Tuck. Even something as simple as moving in (a sometimes-daunting task) became a fun activity when a group of classmates all volunteered to help unload a U-Haul for a fellow classmate. We had so many volunteers that everyone only needed to do one or two trips to completely unload the entire truck.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Tuck is so special because no matter what field you ultimately want to move into after graduation, everyone is invested in bettering the world—this is even explicitly stated in Tuck’s mission statement: “Tuck develops wise, decisive leaders who better the world through business.” It is immediately evident in every conversation I have had with my fellow classmates that everyone wants to leave their industry better than when they entered it. Throughout my career I have had a strong sense of mission, and not only am I excited to continue this at Tuck, but also carry it forward with me throughout my career.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Dartmouth Tuck? I am excited to take the Leadership in the Global Economy course, which is taught by Dean Slaughter. Not only have I heard that this is an amazing course, I think it’s also so amazing that Dean Slaughter is so invested in the community that he teaches a course. I think that this truly speaks to the community at Tuck, and how this sense of community starts at the top with the Dean. Additionally, I think that the content of this class is also so important, particularly following the global economic impacts of COVID-19 and widespread shutdowns.

What excites you the most about coming to live in Hanover? What is the one activity you can’t wait to do? I am excited to spend more time outdoors, exploring the Upper Valley with my classmates. Already, my classmates and I have spent as much time as possible outside, whether eating dinner on the green, hanging out at the swimming dock, or going golfing or on bike rides. With Tuck situated in the Upper Valley, the options for spending time outdoors are endless.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While working at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, I led critical data analysis throughout the development of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), which is expected to replace LIBOR as the primary reference rate in U.S. financial markets. Throughout this process, I both wrote the underlying code used to calculate the rate and conducted analysis on calculation methodologies and data inclusion.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? After spending the majority of 2020 in quarantine, I truly came to appreciate my coworkers and the interpersonal relationships we formed. While enjoying what you do is of course still important, working with a team that supports you is pivotal to success. In both my career and personal life, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who support me when I am struggling and celebrate with me when I succeed. Sometimes it’s the people who make all the difference.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? After spending my entire career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, I knew that I wanted to experience something new and different, while still maintaining a strong sense of mission and purpose in my work. When I learned about green bonds and ESG investing, I knew that I wanted to redirect my career from promoting financial stability to driving change by investing directly in the future. After completing my MBA, I hope to work at an impact-focused fund making investment decisions based on ESG criteria.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Yale, Chicago Booth, and Columbia

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA program? Be genuine. One thing that has really struck me since I first got to campus is how humble and genuine everyone is. Everyone here truly wants to be here, and it is evident in every interaction I have with my fellow classmates.

DON’T MISS: MEET DARTMOUTH TUCK’S MBA CLASS OF 2023