Dana M. Lerner

Columbia Business School

“I’m a theater producer, entrepreneur and avid athlete who loves laughing at my own jokes.”

Hometown: Princeton, NJ

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a Tony Award nominated Broadway producer.

Undergraduate School and Major: Cornell University, Theatre Arts

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Red Pelican Creative, Founder/CEO and Social Media Strategist

What word best describes the Columbia Business School MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far and why? Generous! Everyone I’ve spoken to has been not only willing, but also eager to connect. From informal chats about their experiences as a student to more formal meetings to offer advice on the recruiting process, it’s been really exciting to interact with alumni and students who want to give back to the newest members of the CBS community.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Columbia Business School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that the entertainment industry and technology sphere are highly interconnected. We’ve seen the rise of streaming, digital releases, and various forms of virtual content created during the pandemic. I believe that trend will continue, and Columbia’s Media and Technology program stood out to me as an incredible opportunity to dive into this ever-morphing world head-first. With a wealth of resources and a tight knit community eager to learn from professors and each other, we can better understand the relationship between the two industries and push both towards the future.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Columbia Business School? I’m really excited for Follies! As a producer there’s nothing better than getting a group of passionate people together to put on a show. Getting to be a part of a well-known CBS tradition makes it even more special. Also, who doesn’t appreciate a good Sondheim reference?!

What makes New York City such a great place to earn an MBA? New York is the greatest city in the world! From food, to business, to entertainment – there are endless opportunities to succeed, connect and grow.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was keeping Red Pelican Creative, my social media company that specializes in the arts and entertainment industries, not only running but growing throughout the pandemic.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? COVID-19 mercilessly highlighted the economic gaps on Broadway, bringing a $14 billion industry to its knees. All forms of entertainment – TV, film, music, books, virtual/recorded theater, podcasts and more – are what got us through the pandemic. I know I didn’t go a day these past 18 months without consuming at least one of these mediums of entertainment. I hope that on the other side of this that we as a society realize the importance of the arts and how critical they are to our everyday lives. After plenty of time while stuck inside to reflect on my position in the entertainment industry, and the industry at large, I believe now is the time to reinvent the wheel and come up with fresh ideas to position not just the theater industry, but all forms of entertainment for future financial success.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? As an entrepreneur in an industry shuttered by the pandemic, I wanted to use this time to learn traditional business fundamentals and management skills to become a more well-rounded leader and professional. Post-MBA, I plan to pursue roles in content acquisition or strategy at a streaming service or production company.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? CBS was my first choice.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Columbia Business School’s MBA program? Talk with current students, alumni, and admissions staff! Everyone is so friendly and willing to chat (which says a lot about their love of CBS). They can offer a ton of insights into the culture, curriculum and more at CBS.

DON’T MISS: MEET COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2023