Jack Buettner

“I’m an impact-driven, interdisciplinary student, committed to leveraging business strategy to make change for communities”

Hometown: Madison, WI

Fun Fact About Yourself: In addition to Sociology, I studied Opera Performance during my undergrad.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Colorado College: BA in Sociology

Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota: Master of Public Policy

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions, Carleton College

What has been your favorite part of the Twin Cities so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA?

I really appreciate how easy it is to get outdoors in the Twin Cities–even in the winter! I live a few blocks from the Mississippi River and have loved exploring the trails that snake along its banks. The Twin Cities are an excellent place to earn an MBA–from the vibrant business community to the longstanding commitment to philanthropy and community investment. There’s a thoughtfulness to this community that extends from our classrooms to our C-Suites, and I can’t wait to play an active role in shaping that culture as a future leader.

Carlson MBA’s spend a year in hands-on Enterprise programs for Consulting, Branding, Ventures, and Funds. Which program do you intend to enroll in? What excites most about your Enterprise program?

I applied to the Carlson Ventures Enterprise and am excited to dive into this hands-on, creative experience. I’m interested in ultimately pursuing work that crosses different sectors and prioritizes social impact. Building a knowledge of corporate and nonprofit venturing will be essential to my success down the road.

Aside from your classmates, experiential learning, and location, what was the key part of the Carlson MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

Carlson’s place among the graduate schools on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus was a key driver for my decision to attend Carlson. My interest in social impact integrates a number of disciplines and I intend to pursue a career that crosses different sectors. As a dual degree student also pursuing my Master of Public Policy, I have loved the diverse learning community of law, policy, and business students on the West Bank. That students can enroll in courses at different colleges makes for engaging, interdisciplinary courses and enlivening class discussions.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

I’m most proud of my decision to take the time to invest in my education and earn my MBA and MPP. I really enjoyed the impact-driven work I did in college admissions, focusing specifically on education access, but I knew that I ultimately wanted to pursue a different career. I’m excited to use the Carlson MBA to pivot into the business sector and apply my skill set in business strategy roles.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

I was honored to be named a ROMBA Fellow for the Carlson Class of 2026 and attended their conference for LGBTQ+ business students and professionals in Los Angeles this past September.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

I’ve enjoyed the community-driven experience of the Carlson MBA so far. From team meetings with my core team (go B6!) to TAPS at Corner Bar, I’ve been able to form tight connections with my peers. Our Friendsgiving celebration was a particular highlight–taking a break from the intense end of semester work to share a meal with peers at a favorite Minneapolis brewery.