Meet the Virginia Darden MBA Class of 2026 through in-depth profiles on their experiences and aspirations

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

Hometown: Hollywood, Florida

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have had every job you can imagine, from dishwasher and road side assistant to consultant and yoga instructor – and everything in between (just ask!).

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Virginia, BA in Women Gender and Sexuality Studies (Double Hoo, WahooWa!)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: First Choice Foundation, Executive Director

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? In many ways, the case method’s only function is to create better managers. The case method is particularly attractive to me and my development as a leader because it illustrates the variety of ways a problem can be addressed and solved. The transition from Bain to Non-profit was not an easy one, and my weakness as a leader was that I couldn’t put myself fully in the shoes of all of my employees to see why they approached a task in a certain way. Within just a few weeks, I have been humbled time-and-time again as my “right” has been someone else’s “wrong” and vice versa. If you pay close enough attention, the case method will teach you humility, sympathy, and maybe even some accounting along the way.

Aside from cases and classmates, what was the key part of Virginia Darden’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Darden’s learning team program is one-of-a-kind and has drastically influenced my time here. Your learning team is a group of about seven students from different sections of the FY cohort that are, on the most basic level, just your assigned study buddies. On a deeper level, they are your recruiting cheerleaders, your saving grace when life comes at you fast, your bffs, and the people who see much of the real you. A strong bond within a learning team makes all the difference at Darden, and I couldn’t be happier with mine <3.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Virginia Darden? The Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital (EVC) Club. I have held many odd jobs in my life and so business school is my opportunity to blend all this experience into the perfect Venture idea! Already advisors like Jim Zuffoletti, Megan McGee, and Les Alexander have energized me and are pushing me closer to realizing a long-time dream to start my own business.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Darden was the right program for you? Why? As a Double Hoo, I really credit the community at UVA. Darden isn’t much like undergrad at all, but still the community here is unbelievable. Women like Christie Julien and Jannatul Pramanik made the decision easy, and I am so grateful for the support and guidance from application to matriculation.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Developing a breakthrough program that trained, nurtured, and certified returning citizens so that they could transition into gainful blue-collar jobs. Nothing is more rewarding than helping people reclaim their future. At First Choice, we focused intensely on our fellows’ capacity to picture themselves in the future: five years from now as homeowners, role models, and most importantly in our communities where they belong.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Why? I try not to take myself too seriously. I think it is so easy to get into your head while in business school, worrying so much about the internship and whether it is prestigious or if it’ll pay enough. I try to be a reprieve for my peers: a person who values and sees them for who they really are. I hope my contribution is a few honest laughs, a strong shoulder for support, and someone who will always have fresh baked scones (not shown here, but I am a BIG baker).

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Virginia Darden’s MBA program? Network. Darden is a place for smart folks, but it’s also a place that values community. We want to see you, hear your story, and hopefully not be able to imagine Darden without you. If you can’t show us what you got, then really pour yourself into your essays and let your story come to life.

DON’T MISS: MEET VIRGINIA DARDEN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026