Kelly Rucci

William & Mary Mason School of Business Online MBA

“I am a strategic leader, soon-to-be boy mom, loving wife, and cat mom balancing my ambition with heart and home.”

Age: 31

Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia

Fun fact about yourself: I grew up doing Irish dance and had the opportunity to dance with Riverdance once while I was in high school.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Virginia Commonwealth University, Bachelor’s – Business Administration & Management

Where are you currently working? Amazon, Corporate HR Program Manager

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of my proudest achievements was leading Amazon’s North American Driver Appreciation Week last September. I partnered with Amazon’s Thursday Night Football to feature a commercial encouraging customers to say “Alexa, thank my driver,” and worked with former NFL player Andrew Whitworth to send a message of gratitude to drivers. It was incredibly rewarding to spotlight our driver partners’ work on a large stage.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? William & Mary has held a special place in my heart since childhood. I first discovered the campus during a third-grade school project while visiting my grandparents, who live in Williamsburg. Some of my fondest memories include sharing cookies at the bookstore with my grandfather and watching fireworks from the steps of the W&M law school with my family. Years later, I’ve come full circle, as I am about to graduate with my MBA from W&M. Choosing William & Mary wasn’t just about academics; it was about returning to a place that’s long felt like home.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part of the online MBA program was the flexibility. Since it was asynchronous, I could complete coursework on my own time, which helped me balance personal and professional commitments without the pressure of fixed class times.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The online experience was just as good as my in-classroom experience as an undergrad. Professors were just as accessible, offering constant communication and updates throughout the week. We also collaborated with peers frequently. The main difference was not having to spend time commuting to school, which made it easier to stay on top of things.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? My online education has improved my communication skills immensely! I write a lot of documents for work and attend many meetings with stakeholders. The program really focused on both verbal and written communication, especially through papers and coordinating projects with peers, which has been directly applicable in my job.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I didn’t earn a promotion, but I did transfer to a new project team that I really wanted to be on. I was specifically chosen for the position, and now I’m working on high-priority executive projects, which has been a great opportunity for growth.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? I pursued an online MBA because I was already working and didn’t want to put my job aside. I also have a home in Richmond and a husband, so relocating for a full-time program wasn’t an option. The online format allowed me to go part-time and still achieve my dream of attending W&M while maintaining my career and personal life.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Some of my classes encouraged us to use AI for writing and brainstorming, which was a great way to enhance efficiency. Now, I use approved internal AI systems at work to boost productivity and have even helped my peers get on board with using them. It’s been a valuable tool in streamlining tasks and improving workflow.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 20-25

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Whether continuing at Amazon or not, I want to be in a people management role, ideally in the HR space, at a company that values innovation and growth. My goal would be to work somewhere that challenges me to think creatively and build solutions that shape the future of the organization and its people. I’m driven by the idea of having a real impact, so whether it’s Amazon or another forward-thinking company, I want to be in a role where I can make a difference.

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