Bailey Reynolds

Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business

“Family-oriented, cookie-baking sports and fashion fan, LGBTQIA+ advocate, and volunteer who promotes mindfulness and sustainability.”

Hometown: Glendale, Arizona

Fun fact about yourself: I collect coffee mugs!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Arizona State University – B.S. in Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology & Ecology), minors in business and sustainability

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Valley Leadership (an Arizona 501c3 nonprofit that empowers, leverages, and mobilizes leaders to meaningfully impact the most pressing issues facing Arizona) – Americorps Public Ally turned Program Manager, Strategic Impact

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? I interned at Nike, Inc. in beautiful Beaverton, Oregon.

Where will you be working after graduation? I’ll be returning to Nike, Inc. as a CCO Operations Manager!

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Leadership

• Vice President of Community Outreach and Wellness, MBA Association
• First-Year Representative, MBA Association
• Co-President, Net Impact Graduate Chapter
• Board Member, Out for Business
• Board Member, Grape & Grain Consortium
• First-Year MBA Ambassador

Awards

• P. Carey MBA Q5 Net Investor recipient, Q1 and Q6 nominee
• ASU National Service Award
• ROMBA Fellow
• Forte Fellow
• Beus Family Graduate Fellow
• Michael and Sheila Geddes Fellow

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? During my time in business school, I am most proud of receiving the Net Investor Award, an honor bestowed upon W. P. Carey MBA students who go above and beyond to make a lasting impact on the Full-time MBA program. Being nominated by peers, faculty, and program staff for this award was incredibly gratifying, especially because it stemmed from my advocacy for mental health awareness and support.

Organizing mental health and mindfulness events, both on and off campus, I aimed to create spaces where students could connect and prioritize their well-being. Speaking at orientation, I emphasized the importance of self-care amidst the rigorous academic curriculum and professional demands, fostering a culture of mutual support and resource-sharing within our program. Through my efforts, I promoted mental health initiatives and encouraged a sense of community and camaraderie among my peers, exemplifying the program’s ethos that “business is personal.”

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Completing my AmeriCorps Public Allies service term stands out as the biggest achievement in my professional career. Over 10 months, I dedicated 1,700 hours to community service, which deepened my commitment to social impact and led to a full-time opportunity with Valley Leadership, where I spent the subsequent two years of my career. Before joining Public Allies, I was still determining how to channel my passion for positive social change. At one point, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. Ha! However, the Public Allies program provided the perfect platform for me to engage in service learning, leadership development, and nonprofit work aligned with my values and aspirations.

Through my role as a Public Ally at Valley Leadership, I had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects aimed at addressing pressing issues in Arizona, from education and health to environmental sustainability and racial justice. Additionally, I collaborated with fellow Allies on community service projects, further solidifying my dedication to volunteerism and civic engagement. This experience helped me find my purpose and reinforced the importance of collaboration and community in creating lasting social impact.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose W. P. Carey for two main reasons. Firstly, at the program’s start, I had a sick grandparent and needed to be close to family for support. Secondly, as a Double Devil who completed my undergraduate degree at ASU, I was already familiar with the university’s robust sustainability curriculum and research. I knew this emphasis on sustainability would seamlessly integrate into the business education offered here, aligning perfectly with my interests and career goals.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? While I thoroughly enjoyed several courses, including Sources of Competitive Advantage, Decision Modeling, and Organizational Behavior, one is my favorite: Strategic Procurement with Professor Mikaella Polyviou. Her course equipped me with the knowledge and skills to succeed in my internship at Nike, where I applied the Pareto analysis techniques I learned in class to make data-driven decisions. Polyviou’s emphasis on the sustainability, geopolitical, and relational dynamics of sourcing and supplier selection also broadened my perspective. It allowed me and my classmates to consider business concepts in a modern context.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? The one thing I’d do differently is to be more proactive about visiting my career coach, Suzanne, and engaging in interview preparation with her. While she was undoubtedly the best, coolest, and most helpful, I often sought her guidance when I felt like the walls were closing in and my stress levels were at their peak. I cried to her more times than I care to admit, and looking back, I realize that a more intentional effort to work on my star stories and personal narrative before recruiting season started would have boosted my confidence as a nervous interviewer and generally anxious person. I am so grateful for Suzanne’s invaluable support, but it’s not such a bad thing to ask for help before you need it, folks!

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about W. P. Carey is that it’s solely a supply chain school. As someone who concentrated on supply chain, I can attest that our supply chain program is robust. Still, having taken many other marketing and consulting courses, I’ve experienced firsthand the strength of our marketing and consulting curricula and faculty. My classmates concentrating in business analytics also regularly engage in meaningful discussions and dedicated classes exploring AI and technology’s future impacts on business. Another thing – the “Arizona State University is a party school” rhetoric is tired. This stereotype overlooks the institution’s remarkable innovation, sustainability, and global impact achievements!

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Tempe is a gem! It’s a hot little city with many nearby spots to pop into after class. As such, Taco Tuesdays and random happy hours were a given for my cohort. The proximity to downtown Phoenix was also great for enjoying MLB and NBA games and First Friday art walks. The highlight for me was the closeness to my family in Glendale. They’re a 45-minute drive away, which allowed me to visit every Sunday for dinner and quickly return to my school routine the next day. Tempe was the perfect blend of convenience, fun, and family.

What surprised you the most about business school? What surprised me the most was how quickly my cohort bonded during our first year. We became a tight-knit group, and I made some solid friendships in a surprisingly short span!

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Among the exceptional individuals in our small, 60-person cohort, I admire my MBA classmate Supratim Basu. His impact on me, both professionally and personally, has been profound. Professionally, Supratim’s action-oriented approach and dedication to excellence have consistently elevated our teams’ performance. Witnessing Supratim’s growth over the past two years has also been inspiring. Despite initial setbacks, he demonstrated resilience and unwavering commitment to his goals, which led to notable gains in emotional intelligence and a great gig with Amazon’s Pathways program upon graduation. Over both years, Supratim went above-and-beyond to strengthen our MBA community bonds, coordinating events, offering support, and contributing positively to our shared experiences.

Personally, he and his family were kind and generous enough to welcome me into their home in India over winter break during our second year, where I had the privilege of experiencing his culture and various parts of the country and, of course, eating tons of yummy food. Plus, he exudes a charisma and brand of sass that I deeply envy and resonate with. All in all, Supratim is a fabulous friend and colleague!

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The first item on my professional bucket list is to run a thriving farmer’s market stall, combining my love of baking with sustainable food systems and localist models. Growing up, baking was a regular activity for me. I recently revived this hobby, and my classmates have thanked me for it – they are the main consumers of my signature white chocolate oatmeal craisin cookies. I also have a hobbyist background in sustainable food systems, including coursework, some mild work experience, and volunteering at community gardens. As such, I envision a stall where I sell my baked goods – and other crafty creations that I love making, like drawings, paintings, and crocheted items – to the local community alongside local growers and artisans.

The second goal on my professional bucket list involves contributing to or developing an organization that emphasizes the intersectionality of art, the environment, and mindfulness. Whether within business, social enterprise, or the nonprofit sector, I aim to engage in equitable, systemic community development. This aspiration reflects my commitment to meaningful contributions to fields that intersect my interests and values, creating positive change and promoting a more mindful and sustainable future.

What made Bailey such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Bailey sees how the world around her can be better and then takes the initiative to make it happen. In short, Bailey is a proactive force for good within the MBA program. She is incredibly intelligent, conscientious, and empathetic and seeks opportunities to mentor, elevate, and encourage her peers. When she isn’t sure exactly how to do this, she asks for help, building buy-in and a sense of shared responsibility for the success and well-being of everyone in the program. An avid supporter of mental health and wellbeing, Bailey has been at the forefront of such events during her time in the Full-time program. With support from those around her, Bailey has led mental health info sessions for incoming students, helped promote mental health awareness month during October, and implemented a Mindfulness Minute in the Full-time MBA weekly newsletter. Bailey has also made great efforts with the Net Impact club, compiling a directory of networking events, volunteer opportunities, and job openings that align with the ideals of sustainable practices. In true W. P. Carey “Business is Personal” mentality, Bailey strives to make her space as cohesive and kind as possible, eloquently stating “I am, because we are.” Bailey looks forward to the growth in engagement from not just students but prospective partners, building opportunities that will last beyond graduation.”

TJ Coblentz, Program Manager, Full-time MBA

Kate Eaton, Clinical Associate Professor – Department of Marketing; Assistant Dean, MBA Programs

Erin Jordan, Clinical Assistant Professor – School of Accountancy; MBA Program Faculty Director

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024