Bryn Hart

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University

“In ambiguity, I operate with confidence — I take steps even if the staircase isn’t visible.”

Hometown: Davis, California, and Minneapolis, Minnesota

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am aiming to have visited 35 countries by the age of 35.

Undergraduate School and Major: Loyola Marymount University, Business Marketing.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: DevaCurl (Henkel), Global Channel Marketing Manager

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Cornell’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One decisive factor in choosing the Johnson School is the unique immersion program it offers. Johnson’s astute approach to organizing the first year of the MBA program involves core classes during the first semester, followed by an immersion program in the second semester. The immersions are tailored to delve deeper into individual interests, equipping students to succeed not only in the summer internship but also in their future careers. I am interested in both the strategic product and marketing immersion and the digital technology immersion, and the option of a customized immersion will allow me to focus on both.

What excites you the most about living in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region? I am a city girl, but sometimes it is nice to take a break and explore some gorges in the fresh air. After all, Ithaca is “gorges!”

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Cornell? I am eagerly anticipating my active membership in Cornell’s Black Graduate Business Association (BGBA). Fostering spaces dedicated to Black excellence in historically white and Ivy League institutions is necessary and very inspiring.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In the summer of 2020, the company I worked for shifted its mission to focus on combating racism in the hair care industry. I led a cross-functional team to execute an external diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy. Despite initial apprehension due to my lack of prior experience in DE&I strategy, the experience proved invaluable. It culminated in successful key performance indicators that highlighted cultural moments and amplified voices from underrepresented communities. Moreover, this management position provided key leadership insights that extended beyond external deliverables such as the ability to practice inclusive leadership, foster trust, and inspire thoughtful ideas among team members.

What do you hope to do after graduation at this point? In the short term, my goal is to secure a position within a prominent global consumer packaged goods company – specifically focusing on e-commerce marketing. Long term, I aspire to become a chief marketing officer and executive coach and/or establish my own business venture.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Cornell’s MBA program? Embrace your authentic self. From my experience, I believe that Cornell assesses candidates holistically, acknowledging that each person possesses strengths and weaknesses. The key is to be self-aware, recognize your areas for improvement, and demonstrate a proactive approach toward addressing them.