Anna Batty

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“A resilient, compassionate storyteller, navigating life with authenticity, courage, and a passion for impact.”

Hometown: London, UK

Fun fact about yourself: I represented the United Kingdom at the EPCOT theme park in Walt Disney World for a year!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Creative Musicianship, The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Pearson, Higher Education & International Professional Development Analyst

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Berry Global, Product Marketing Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? Still deciding, but somewhere that I can marry my new business acumen with my passion for storytelling and making an impact!

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Recruiting Experience Ambassador

Vice President of Community Affairs for the Owen Student Government

Vice President of Professional Development for the Owen Marketing Association

Forte Foundation C/O 2025 Ambassador

Co-President of the Music and Entertainment Club

Marketing Peer Coach for the Career Management Center

Teaching Assistant for Management Communications, Undergraduate Marketing Principles

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? It was being selected as a Recruiting Experience Ambassador within the first few weeks of business school. It has been big part of my experience the past two years, and being able to be one of the faces of Owen for prospective and incoming students has been a highlight for me. Having admitted and incoming students tell me that I was a part of their journey to Owen and that they remember me from virtual/in-person events has been so rewarding!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Being a part of the launch of a new training program for schools in China at Pearson, my previous job before business school. It was a great exercise in cross-functional collaboration, launching a new product from start to finish, and collaboration cross-culturally, too. Working with colleagues in China was such a treat, and I learned so much from them and what their customers value.

Why did you choose this business school? The Owen community. Coming to business school is a huge investment in so many ways, especially packing up and moving to a new country. I wanted to go somewhere where I wouldn’t just learn and grow but thrive. I was attending webinars for business schools whilst I was in the UK and Owen gave me the sense that it would be a welcoming, supportive, and warm community. This is what I was looking for as a career switcher, and I can say the sense I got whilst sat in the UK has not only been true, but better than I could have imagined.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Kelly Goldsmith, who teaches the core MBA Marketing Management course. She is dynamic, vivacious, incredibly smart, and so kind and approachable. She is exactly the kind of marketer and businesswoman I would like to be, and every interaction I have had with her both inside and out of the classroom has been a joy.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Ethics in Business, taught by Jessica Kennedy. This is a core class of the Owen MBA for the second years, which I think is a great requirement. It really opened my eyes to thinking about business issues through different perspectives, and considerations you should always be cognizant of as a future leader to make just, fair and considerate decisions.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Closing Bell! A weekly happy hour hosted by a different student club. I’ve been lucky enough to help plan and facilitate these events in my role as VP of Community Affairs in the student government; they are a wonderful occasion to catch up with peers, relax at the end of the class week, and celebrate the fantastic and diverse culture at Owen. I’ve had food I’ve never tried before and experiences I never thought I would have brought to life at Closing Bells, which is a testament to Owen’s investment in student culture and community.

What is the biggest myth about your school? From my work in Owen recruiting, I can say what we hear the most questions about are the MOD system, 4 7-week blocks of classes in a school year. It sounds so overwhelming, and the first one definitely can be, especially adjusting to school, classes and homework after being away from education. You quickly get the hang of it, fall into the rhythm, and learn to appreciate having shorter blocks of classes so you can experience a lot of different courses!

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Nashville is so much fun! One of my friends refers to it as the ‘Goldilocks city’, meaning it’s not too big that it’s overwhelming and you feel lost, but it’s not too small that there’s nothing new to explore. Each area of Nashville has a different vibe, but all joined together by the amazing (and enjoyably constant) live music!

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? Legally Blonde – There are parallels as it is law, but it beautifully portrays individuality, grit, determination, and creativity! From the outside looking in, I am sure there are still many people who have antiquated views on business, and corporate culture. Legally Blonde showed that you don’t have to be the standard cookie-cutter image to make an impact and be respected. It also showed that genius comes in many different forms, and you can find yourself in places and situations that you never thought possible!

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Owen has introduced AI-specific classes into the curriculum as electives, but also by involving AI in a few assignments for classes, particularly Managing Under Uncertainty. One of the assignments required us to use AI to solve real world business problems, develop scenarios on how they could be implemented within the workforce, and if they would be successful or fail. It was a great exercise in getting us ahead of the AI curve as future managers and exposing us to the wonders of AI and some of the possible pitfalls.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Business school has been a transformative journey, but one constant has been my friendship with my classmate Jack Crowley. In moments of uncertainty, stress, and self-doubt, he has been in my corner and cheering me on. In moments of triumph, he is one of the first people I celebrate with. Jack embodies integrity, humility, and unwavering values — qualities I deeply admire. Knowing him has made me stronger, and I strive to be that kind of presence for others.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I’d to have some of my work published and become a reference point for future business school students. Public speaking is another dream — I want to share the lessons I’ve learned from my journey as a cancer survivor, a musician in London, a Disney World employee, an MBA candidate, and a future business leader. My story is very much still being written, and I hope to inspire others along the way!

What made Anna such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Growth, reflection, and charisma—these are the words that come to mind when I think about Anna’s impact at Owen. Even before she officially joined our community, it was clear that she was someone truly special, who would leave a lasting mark on our school. Throughout her time here, her genuine care for her classmates, unwavering perseverance, and commitment to personal and collective growth have embodied the very best of what we hope to see in our students.

Besides diving in wholeheartedly to organizations and leadership roles at Owen, from serving as a Recruiting Experience Ambassadors to the VP of Community Affairs for Owen’s Student Government to a Peer Coach and TA, Anna has still found time to be a caring friend and ally to her classmates. One of Anna’s most remarkable qualities is her genuine transparency and authenticity with others. In business school, where many hide behind polished facades to mask the uncertainty and soul searching that often accompany the MBA journey, Anna’s openness sets her apart. Her willingness to share her non-traditional background and navigate uncertainty with honesty not only drew people to her but also created a space for meaningful conversations, inspiring others to embrace their own journeys with confidence.”

Amanda Fend
Director, MBA Recruiting

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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