Jackie Keshner

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“Empathetic strategist who brings rigor, heart, and multidisciplinary perspective to every opportunity.”

Hometown: Naperville, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I used to play both violin and viola in high school.

Undergraduate School and Major: College of William & Mary, English

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Gateway Group, Investor Relations Director

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why? I love Nashville’s welcoming, creative spirit. I have visited restaurants where staff recognized me by name, even on just my second visit. In terms of creativity, the music scene speaks for itself—so many incredible small and marquee artists play here, in genres ranging beyond strictly country. Yet even outside of music, Nashville has fantastic restaurants and so many fun activities, museums, and small businesses to explore. It’s a vibrant and rapidly growing city, with the interpersonal warmth of a small town.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Leadership Development Program (LDP) played a significant role in why I chose Owen’s MBA program. I wanted to pursue an MBA to develop a leadership style that was both effective and authentic to the softer, more introverted parts of my personality. When I learned that the program offered the opportunity to work with both the on-campus LDP managers and an executive coach matched specifically to my personality and leadership goals, I knew that Owen was the perfect next chapter for my professional development. In my first year alone, I have gained renewed confidence and perspective on my abilities, and I am grateful to the LDP coaches for helping me grow.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? I love being a Recruiting Experience Ambassador and meeting prospective students! Through getting to know future classmates’ unique backgrounds and guiding them through the admissions process, I have gained even deeper appreciation for the MBA journey and how that path looks different for everyone. The role has also introduced me to a talented, energetic group of classmates and admissions team members, and I am so lucky to work and bond with them. Owen has such a special community, and being able to share that with new people brings me so much joy and fulfillment.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment was publishing a byline for IR Impact (formerly IR Magazine), a major investor relations industry platform. In the article, I reflected on my experience with pivoting into a financial field from a humanities background, and how I was learning to turn my points of difference from my colleagues into strengths. Hearing that the piece resonated with several other young professionals—and women across multiple professional stages—meant the world to me. Even as I navigate my current pivot into consulting, I have continued to learn that there is no “correct” professional path or identity. The best paths don’t force you to become a new person, but help you strengthen who you already are.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest accomplishment in the MBA program so far has been becoming a Board Fellow for Springboard Landings. Having grown up with an autistic, nonverbal younger sibling and the knowledge that I would play a large role in his future residential decisions, the organization’s mission resonated deeply with me. The board has some of the kindest, sharpest, and most dedicated people I’ve encountered in my career, and I am eager to support and learn from their work as much as I can.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memories are the quietest ones: small study dates and celebratory dinners with friends, or hearing my classmates share perspectives I might not have otherwise considered during class discussions. Those day-to-day connections are what I will always treasure from this program.

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