Rachel Autumn Lee

Yale School of Management

“Bold, people-driven brand builder blending creativity, strategy, and entrepreneurship to advance equity and sustainability.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: Featured in publications for my advocacy work to end the tax on and increase access to menstrual products in California

Undergraduate School and Major: Psychology and Communications, with a minor in Entrepreneurship at UCLA

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Analyst, The Walt Disney Company; Co-Founder at PRISM Bags

The Yale School of Management is regarded as a purpose-driven program. What is your mission? How will your MBA at Yale SOM help you fulfill that mission? My mission is to drive innovation in the creative economy using sustainable materials, supply chains, and products that empower entrepreneurs, creators, and the planet. The Yale School of Management aligns strongly with my vision. Not only does the school equip me with the skills to become a strong business leader and drive critical conversations, but also offers access to the broader Yale community and renowned hubs such as the Yale Center for Business and the Environment and the Yale Center for Consumer Insights. Here, I can bridge creativity and strategy to fuel innovation.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Yale SOM’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Coming from a less “traditional” business background, I wanted to challenge myself with a well-rounded management education that Yale provides through its integrated core curriculum. At the same time, the flexibility to take courses at the Yale School of the Environment and Yale Law School allows me to explore my interests and broaden my impact. I’m particularly excited to immerse myself in Moving the Needle, an interdisciplinary initiative at Yale dedicated to advancing research, dialogue, and innovation in sustainable fashion.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Yale SOM? I am most excited about joining Startup & Entrepreneurship Club, engaging with Tsai CITY, and connecting with entrepreneurs at Yale SOM and across Yale’s broader innovation ecosystem. I am also eager to participate in Retail Club and Marketing Club to deepen my understanding of the industry through treks to New York and hands-on learning opportunities. These clubs reflect my passion for entrepreneurship, brand building, and exploring the future of retail and consumer industries.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027?
I bring a unique ability to connect with and energize people, bringing together different viewpoints and implementing solutions through relationship-building. I thrive in collaborative settings where diverse perspectives are on the table, and I enjoy finding common ground and working together toward a shared goal.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My proudest accomplishment is creating impact both within a global company and through entrepreneurship. At Disney, I served as a Co-Lead for Women@Disney, an enterprise-wide resource group where I built community through peer mentorship groups that connected women across departments and fostered professional growth. Outside of my day job, I co-founded PRISM Bags, a sustainable bag and backpack brand, with my sister. My biggest accomplishment is launching four products that sold out within 48 hours on an ethical consumer goods marketplace.

What do you hope to do after graduation? Short-term, I hope to pursue a marketing role for a sustainable CPG or e-commerce company. Long-term, I aspire to become the CEO of my own retail venture that sells eco-friendly consumer products globally. While doing so, I plan to uplift BIPOC and female entrepreneurs by providing grants and mentorship to minority-founded startups.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Yale SOM’s MBA program? I would advise potential applicants to take the time to get to know Yale SOM’s mission and the people who make up the community so they can better speak to the Yale experience in their applications. For me, attending Yale SOM Perspectives and other admissions events last year were invaluable. Sitting in on a lecture in Zhang Auditorium and experiencing the culture and New Haven in person gave me a strong sense of Yale SOM and how my goals fit within SOM’s mission. This enabled me to better align my application to show what I could uniquely bring to the program and how Yale could help me reach my goals.

Beyond that, I encourage applicants to reach out to current students. In my experience, everyone I spoke with was open, generous with their time, and eager to share their perspectives. These conversations not only gave me practical insight into the program, but also reinforced the collaborative, mission-driven spirit that defines Yale SOM.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2027: STUDENTS TODAY, LEADERS TOMORROW, INNOVATORS ALWAYS

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