Gabriela Siem

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“Curious, people-loving, travel (and dog)-obsessed, always building connections and chasing meaningful work (and the next adventure).”

Hometown: Washington, D.C. by way of Gainesville, FL, and Venezuela

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love traveling and soaking up new cultures!  Otherwise, you’ll find me out taking long walks with our dog, Rio.

Undergraduate School and Major: American University – BA in International Studies; BS in Business Administration; Arizona State University – MS in Global Technology and Development in Applied International Development

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Hilton, HR Product Enablement Manager (Change Management Manager) – HR Technology & Innovation Team

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The case method was one of the first things that stood out to me about Darden. After 11 years in the workforce, I knew that if I went back to school full-time, I did not want to be in a traditional lecture-based classroom. To me, the case method mimics the working world and a boardroom; you must always be ready for a cold call. Any case could go in many directions based on your classmates and their past experiences and stances. Because it forces you to think critically, defend your position, and adapt based on new inputs, the case method sharpens leadership, decision-making, and communication skills in a way that directly prepares you to become a more effective manager and well-rounded professional.

Aside from cases and classmates, what was the key part of Virginia Darden’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One key part of Darden’s MBA programming that led me to choose the school was its strong global focus — especially the Global Business Experiences (GBEs) and the broader commitment to developing globally minded leaders. In a world where business decisions increasingly cross borders, I wanted a program that would challenge me to think beyond my immediate environment.

Darden offers that not only through immersive, faculty-led global experiences, but also through professors who bring deep international expertise into the classroom. I was equally inspired by how many students have worked around the world and come from truly diverse backgrounds — which adds global complexity to every case and conversation. For a small program tucked into the mountains of Virginia, Darden stretches far beyond Charlottesville. Its global perspective is embedded in the way students learn, lead, and think. For someone who has worked cross-culturally and aspires to continue to lead across cultures and markets, that kind of environment felt essential.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Virginia Darden? I am excited to get involved in many aspects of the Darden community, but one club that especially stands out to me is the Graduate Women in Business Club (GWIB). Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have incredible mentors, many of whom have been women — particularly women of color — as well as allies who have championed women in the workplace. Their guidance, resilience, and authenticity have deeply shaped my journey, and I want to pay that forward.

At Darden, GWIB stands for an opportunity to continue building that kind of empowering community — one that not only supports women but also opens space for intersectional dialogue around race, gender, and leadership in business. I am especially passionate about creating conversations and initiatives that amplify underrepresented voices and promote equity in both classroom discussions and real-world business contexts.

Joining GWIB would give me the chance to help create a space where everyone feels supported, heard, and excited to grow — and I cannot wait to be part of that kind of energy.

What are your early impressions of Charlottesville? After 15 years in D.C., I was nervous about moving to a smaller town like Charlottesville — but I could not have been more wrong. Charlottesville punches way above its weight. It has an incredible food scene, great live music, and tons of outdoor events and activities. Part of challenging myself through the MBA was also about experiencing a new style of living — somewhere with fewer distractions, where I could fully immerse myself in the program and the community. It’s been exactly that. And as a bonus, my dog Rio is thriving — Charlottesville and Darden are both incredibly dog-friendly, with plenty of green space and trails to explore.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I have been fortunate to have had some incredible opportunities in my career — opportunities that have taken me to corners of the world I never thought I would see. But if I had to choose one accomplishment that stands out, it would be leading global change management and digital transformation initiatives across the international development, non-profit, and hospitality sectors. These projects involved aligning cross-cultural teams, improving operational efficiencies, and navigating complex stakeholder dynamics. They were often long, challenging, and occasionally controversial — but ultimately, they were transformative for the organizations involved.

In addition, being an active contributor to diversity and inclusion and employee engagement committees across several employers is something I am deeply proud of doing. These experiences allowed me to drive meaningful change not just in systems and processes, but also in culture.

What I am most proud of, though, is the trust and lasting relationships I built through that work. Many of the people I collaborated with remain close friends and mentors. To me, that is the true mark of success: creating impact not just through outcomes, but through genuine connection.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? One quality that really defines me is my ability to build real, authentic connections — across cultures, teams, and experiences. Over the years, I have worked in international development, non-profits, and hospitality, often leading global projects with teams that look and think very differently from one another. What I have learned is that no matter how complex the work is, it’s trust, empathy, and openness that get things done.

At Darden, I am excited to bring that same energy — to connect with classmates on a deeper level, create space for different voices, and contribute to a culture where people feel like they belong. Whether it is in case discussions, group projects, or just day-to-day life, I want to be someone who helps others feel seen and supported.

That is how I have made an impact in my career so far, and I think that same approach will allow me to contribute something meaningful to the Class of 2027.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Virginia Darden’s MBA program? You have already done 90% of the work — your story, your academic and professional experiences are enough. My biggest piece of advice is this: do not let the application process intimidate you or convince you to be someone you are not. From my very first interaction with Darden — at an MBA school fair — I felt seen, heard, and respected. The admissions team, students, and alumni were warm, down-to-earth, intelligent, and incredibly authentic. That tone carried through every step of the process. I never once felt pressure to mold myself into someone else to “fit in.” In fact, Darden made me feel celebrated for exactly who I am and what I bring to the table. So, trust your intuition, lead with your authentic story, and remember — if you feel like you have to be someone else to be accepted at any school, it might not be the right fit. But if Darden feels like home, then lean in. They are not just evaluating your resume; they are looking for the real you.

DON’T MISS: MEET VIRGINIA DARDEN’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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