Michelle Hernandez

UCLA, Anderson School of Management

“From small town to big city, passionate about using technology to break barriers and amplify voices.”

Hometown: Dade City, FL, USA

Fun fact about yourself: I have a triple black belt in Karate.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Sarah Lawrence College – Bachelor of Liberal Arts

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? NBCUniversal, Talent Management Specialist

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Tubi, Los Angeles

Where will you be working after graduation? Currently recruiting for roles in entertainment/technology.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Co-President AnderEATs, VP, Admitted Events – Admissions Ambassador Corp; VP, Velocity – Women’s Business Connection; Riordan Mentor.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? This year, as VP of Velocity, I planned our Women’s Leadership Conference amidst significant budget cuts and shifting national conversations around DEI. I focused on honoring the conference’s legacy, while creating an opportunity for our community to engage in meaningful dialogue. By narrowing the focus, I ensured that the conversations were impactful and relevant. Despite the challenges, I’m proud of the conference and the lasting impact it will have.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of the relationships I have built throughout my career. Work has always been about the people I collaborate with and the impact we have on each other and our communities. When I had the opportunity to join the Talent Management team at NBCUniversal, I was eager to work with certain leaders I deeply admired. I jumped at the chance, even though I wasn’t entirely sure how the experience would fit into my larger career path at the time. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful that we took the opportunity to work together.

Almost two years later, those same leaders have become some of my biggest champions. We check in with each other regularly, celebrating our individual successes and offering support along the way. These relationships have been some of the most meaningful in my career, and I take great pride in the connections I’ve built and nurtured over time.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Anderson for its strong emphasis on community. I believe in striving to be my best self every day. At Anderson, I’m not competing with my classmates—I’m competing to be my best. The people around me have been a constant source of support through recruiting, classes, and extracurriculars. Just as they support me, I enjoy supporting them in return. Shared success is at the heart of Anderson, and that collaborative environment made it the right fit for me.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? While there are many incredible professors at Anderson, Professor Cassie Holmes has been one of my favorites. She teaches Applying the Science of Happiness to Life Design, a course that encourages us to think deeply about the life we want to build—both personally and professionally. She challenged us to consider how we set goals, manage our time, and appreciate the moments along the way. Having the space to reflect on my life as a whole, rather than just my career, was an unexpected but deeply rewarding part of business school. Beyond the classroom, she made herself available to students, balancing her own life and career while still investing in ours.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course at Anderson was Entertainment Strategy. When I was applying to business school, I learned about this class and was excited about the opportunity to take it in the future. As soon as I had the chance, I jumped at it. This class was by far one of the most demanding I’ve taken at Anderson, but it was also one of the most rewarding. It provided frameworks to think through issues in the entertainment industry, and having structured approaches to tackle creative problems was invaluable.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? One thing I would have done sooner is explore areas outside my core career focus. When I joined Anderson, I quickly focused on entertainment, spending time with the entertainment club and taking entertainment-focused classes whenever possible. However, if I could go back, I would have kept my aperture open to explore different industries. As the world becomes more integrated with technology permeating all fields, I wish I’d been more involved in other areas of the school. I reflected on this during my summer and returned for my second year ready to embrace more opportunities. I’ve attended events hosted by other clubs and taken classes outside my comfort zone, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these experiences.

What is the biggest myth about your school? A common myth about Anderson is that with such a wide variety of disciplines, each area of focus may be weaker. However, I would argue that having diverse focus areas in one place allows us to collaborate and create innovative solutions that wouldn’t have been possible if we all came from the same background. For example, last year I competed in an entertainment case competition. Our team included members with entertainment, HR, and technology backgrounds. This diversity enabled us to develop an innovative solution that propelled our team to the finals.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Los Angeles has been an incredible city to call home. It has encouraged me to pause and appreciate the beauty around me, exposed me to new cultures, and provided access to numerous companies and leaders. On weekends, you can often find me hiking one of LA’s beautiful trails, reminding myself to be present in the moment. As Co-President of AnderEATs, I’ve loved exploring the city with my classmates and trying new foods from all over the world. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing companies based here—I’ve had the chance to visit firms like Wasserman, YouTube, and Disney, just to name a few.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? Although it might not come to mind for many, the first show I thought of was Girls on the Bus. This dramedy focuses on the press pool that follows candidates during a presidential election. To me, it reflects business because the reporters come from different parts of the country, each with individual political views and representing different news outlets. While they compete on their respective channels, they often find themselves helping each other. I see a parallel in the entertainment industry, where firms compete but also collaborate—whether through co-producing or driving competition to increase viewership. You never know when you’ll need to work with a competitor.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Last quarter, I took a Product Management course where we developed a strategy for an app. As part of the assignment, we were required to integrate AI into our process and describe how we used it. I leveraged AI to challenge my argument, identifying gaps I hadn’t considered. By addressing the weaknesses it surfaced, I strengthened my strategy and delivered a more compelling final presentation. This experience reinforced how AI can be a powerful tool for refining ideas and enhancing critical thinking. It also showed me that AI isn’t just a tool for automation—it can be an active partner in problem-solving and strategy development.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I deeply admire my classmate, Aditi Guha. We’ve taken many classes together and worked alongside each other at Tubi this summer. In addition, she is my Co-President of AnderEATs and serves as the Anderson Student Council International VP. What I admire most about Aditi is her ability to truly listen and advocate for others. I’ve watched her represent international students from all over the world, pushing for resources and support while reminding us to learn from each other along the way. She leads with empathy and conviction, reinforcing that we all have so much to share.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The top two items on my professional bucket list are working internationally and mentoring others. As the world becomes more connected through technological advancements, I want to spend time abroad to gain firsthand insight into international perspectives. To prepare for these opportunities, you can often find me in a language class first thing in the morning. Additionally, I aspire to build a career where I can give back through mentorship. While I currently mentor groups navigating college and graduate school applications, I hope to extend this to the workforce, helping others grow in their careers.

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

“As a second-year MBA student at UCLA Anderson, Michelle has consistently demonstrated the qualities that define a true trailblazer and servant leader. Her passion for using technology to break barriers and amplify voices has been evident in her role as VP of Velocity, where she successfully planned the Women’s Leadership Conference. Michelle’s strategic focus and dedication ensured the conference was impactful and meaningful for all attendees. Her ability to marshal resources, organize activities, and engage her peers in thought-provoking discussions showcases her exceptional leadership skills and commitment to fostering an inclusive community.

Michelle’s influence extends beyond her formal roles, as she is a constant source of support and inspiration to her classmates. Her work as Co-President of AnderEATs and her involvement in various leadership positions reflect her dedication to building a collaborative and empowering environment at Anderson. Michelle’s ability to seize opportunities and elevate those around her is unparalleled. Her strategic mindset, coupled with her genuine empathy and advocacy for others, makes her an indispensable member of the Anderson community. I am confident that Michelle’s exemplary leadership, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to her peers will lead to a successful career in the Entertainment and Technology arena.”

Alex Lawrence
Assistant Dean and Director
MBA Admissions and Financial Aid
UCLA Anderson School of Management

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