Dorothy Chen

Yale School of Management

“A proud Canadian, finance professional & community advocate; owner of a dog and two cats.”

Hometown: Toronto, Canada

Fun fact about yourself: I have ice cream almost every day

Undergraduate School and Degree: Columbia University, Math & Philosophy

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Finance Director, Ontario Government

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Bain & Company, Toronto

Where will you be working after graduation? Finance Director, Ontario Government

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Forté Fellow & Dean’s Scholar; Various teaching, mentorship and admissions roles

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I was one of the student organizers for the Reaching Out MBA Conference, the national conference for LGBTQ+ MBA students. The conference was co-founded by a Yale MBA alum and is one of the largest diversity conferences in the country. It was a pleasure to be a part of and help maintain this legacy.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I led the team in the Ontario Treasury that managed technology-related expenditures during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was honored to be able to serve my country in this way, and proud of the heroic contributions my team made during that time.

Why did you choose this business school? Yale School of Management has the only MBA program that is truly dedicated to educating leaders for business and society. I deeply value public service, and wanted to join a community of peers who value the responsibility of business to drive social impact.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? A. J. Wasserstein. A.J. showed me in a very real way that there are many different ways to succeed in business and in life, and that it is possible to structure our careers in a way that is true to our personal values.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Heather Tookes’ Corporate Finance course. The course was well-structured, broad-ranging yet sophisticated. It offered something for seasoned professionals and beginners alike.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Junior Achievement Volunteer Day. Every year, a group of SOM students and staff spends a full day with K-12 students at a local school, teaching them civic and business-related concepts.  It is a great way for us to give back to the community and to learn from our brilliant students and teachers.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would have created much more time to learn from my classmates and to have them challenge my thinking. The breadth and depth of their experiences is truly amazing.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Yale is a non-profit school. There are many ways of living our motto of “business & society” across the business, non-profit, and governmental sectors. The ampersand in our motto signifies the need for cross-sector collaboration, which I believe to be crucial to driving societal change in today’s world.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? I enjoy long runs and hikes in our East Rock and West Rock parks, cycling on the Farmington trail, the occasional climb in nearby gyms, and water sports on the sound.

What surprised you the most about business school? It’s quite busy! I thought I’d have much more time to relax, but my calendar gets filled up quickly.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Caroline Smith is a year below me at SOM and a Yale College alum. Since arriving in New Haven, she has served in the mayor’s and governor’s offices, co-founded a community accelerator for underserved entrepreneurs, successfully run for Alder, and set up many more events around the city. I am grateful for her dedication and service to the community we call home.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?  Run for office; retire into academia.

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

“A model SOM student, Dorothy embodies the program’s mission devoting significant energy to the topics of diversity and inclusion and social impact. Her leadership extends beyond SOM, as she’s held positions across Yale, actively guiding students of all levels in their career exploration. Dorothy’s thirst for knowledge is evident by her frequent attendance at speakers and workshops of diverse topics, showcasing her commitment to maximizing her Yale experience.

Over the past two years, my most engaging coaching conversations have been with Dorothy. Her ability to grasp Yale’s offerings, envision her societal impact, and inspire others underscored her dedication to SOM’s mission. I always make time for Dorothy’s updates whenever we cross paths in Evans Hall.”

Michael Minutoli
Senior Director of Career Education and Coaching
Yale School of Management Career Development

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