Zachary J. Woody

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

“Rebuilt through rejection. Grounded in faith. Determined to create lasting impact through finance and innovation.”

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Fun Fact About Yourself: I invest in real estate and enjoy being a landlord. For me, it’s about more than cash flow—it’s about providing stable housing for families while learning how to build generational wealth.

Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Akron, Business Administration, Marketing Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson), Customer Development Manager

What has been your first impression of the Tuck MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Tell us your best Tuck story so far. When I came up for my interview, what struck me was how every Tuck person I met carried themselves—humble, sharp, and genuinely invested in others. It didn’t feel competitive; it felt uplifting. In that moment, I realized Tuck wasn’t just about academic rigor—it was about being part of a community that builds each other up, which is exactly the kind of environment I want to grow in.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? During DivCo, Professor Ella Bell told us not to run from leadership but to embrace it—even when it’s uncomfortable. That hit home for me. My path has often meant stepping into spaces where representation is limited. Tuck felt like the right place to be pushed, stretched, and supported to lead with purpose.

What excites you the most about coming to live in Hanover? What is the one activity you can’t wait to do? For me, Hanover represents my “Into the Woods” thesis. Tuck is a chance to step away from distractions, sharpen my focus, and walk out stronger. The woods symbolize resilience, renewal, and clarity—and that’s exactly what I want this experience to leave me with.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Dartmouth Tuck? I’m most excited about finally seeing the world with my classmates and professors. Travel hasn’t been a big part of my life so far, and the chance to learn new cultures firsthand—not from a book, but by being there—feels huge. To me, it’s about perspective and immersing yourself in parts of the world that shape you into a more multi-faceted individual.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At The J.M. Smucker Company, I helped launch an employee leadership initiative that grew into mentorship programs and “Inclusion Circles.” What started as a small idea became something lasting that gave employees space to connect and thrive. That experience taught me a key lesson: leadership isn’t about titles or outputs. It’s about leaving people stronger than you found them.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I want to impact the world by using finance as a force for transformation—helping businesses unlock growth, create opportunity, and build long-term value. My background gives me the ability to see both the strategy and the numbers, and I plan to channel that into decisions that truly matter. Longer term, I aspire to build a global investment platform that blends finance and technology to expand opportunity and drive sustainable growth—proving that profitability and impact can, and should, move together.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA program? Don’t waste energy trying to look like the “perfect” applicant—Tuck isn’t looking for that. They’re looking for someone real, someone willing to be honest about the journey it took to get here. I used to keep a stack of rejection letters in a drawer. At first, they stung. Over time, they became reminders that resilience shapes destiny. If you can share the truth of your path—the wins and the setbacks—you’ll resonate with Tuck. My advice: be yourself, not who you think the committee wants you to be.

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