Allison Sadler

Texas A&M University, Mays Business School

“Self-driven problem solver who thrives under intense pressure and in fast-paced environments.”

Hometown: Tulsa, OK

Fun Fact About Yourself: I collect first edition novels – but only from used bookstores and yard sales because I love the hunt and the satisfaction of “finally” finding the targeted book

Undergraduate School and Major:  Oklahoma State University, B.S. Chemical Engineering (2017)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Valero Energy Corporation – Senior Process Engineer

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of the Mays MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Mays Business School, like all of Texas A&M University, is entrenched in the Aggie Tradition. From the moment you step on campus, you feel that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. The Aggie Core Values (Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service) align with how I personally strive to live my life and surrounding myself with likeminded individuals was imperative.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Texas A&M Mays? I am most excited for the Operations Management course. This course is case-driven at Mays and I am excited to be exposed to different, unique problems as well as gaining knowledge through the expertise of my fellow cohorts.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized that Mays was the right graduate program for you? Why? When I began the application process for MBA programs, I mainly focused on programs that could help to accelerate my career in the energy industry – specifically in the downstream sector. Since I am certain of my post-MBA career target, I began looking at how a certain program may help me build connections to get from where I am to where I want to be. One school, Texas A&M Mays Business School, stood out immediately due to the strength of the Aggie Network.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While I have many technical accomplishments to pull from, the accomplishment I am most proud of is being promoted to Operations Superintendent at 26 – one of the youngest in the refinery’s history. During my time as the Operations Superintendent, I served as the night shift operations supervisor during two major maintenance events and both were completed without a safety incident.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Why? Prior to entering the MBA Class of 2026, I worked in the fast-paced refining industry for seven years in a variety of engineering and operations functions. In that time, I developed excellent problem-solving and optimization tools that will allow me to offer a unique perspective to my fellow classmates.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? My primary goals in pursuing a full-time MBA are to elevate my career in the Energy industry and to build lasting relationships in a professional environment.