Emily Spiegel

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“Competitive and driven biopharma leader, channeling passion into advancing innovative therapies that transform patient lives.”

Age: 29

Hometown: Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Fun fact about yourself: In college, I was the captain of the varsity crew team and majored in biology. I decided to combine my interests; I experimented on myself in the lab and published an article on the physiology of racing in a major international rowing magazine. The article ultimately became one of the most read articles of all-time for the magazine.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bryn Mawr College, BA with honors in biology

Where are you currently working? Director, US Cell Therapy HCP Marketing at Bristol Myers Squibb

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of the moments when I’ve pivoted my career in major ways. I began my career in consulting, with an undergrad biology background and little formal business training. I transitioned into oncology business development and strategy, where I was one of the few team members without a PhD. I later moved into cell therapy commercial development, with no marketing background. Each pivot required me to redefine myself, building new expertise, adapting to different teams, and learning to solve entirely new kinds of problems.

What makes these moments especially meaningful is how much they’ve shaped the way I think and lead. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside role models who came from similarly “non-traditional” paths and turned that into an advantage, bringing fresh perspectives and creative approaches to complex challenges. I’ve come to see that adaptability as a kind of superpower, and it’s one I’m excited to keep strengthening throughout my career.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? In addition to being top ranked in the nation, the UNC Kenan-Flagler Online MBA Program offered a format that combined flexibility and rigor. I felt that the program would ensure I sacrificed nothing in pursuing my MBA online. That’s because of the caliber of its academic offerings, the opportunity for regular and high-quality domestic and international in-person learning experiences, and the quality of students attracted to the program.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? Several answers immediately sprang to mind, because I have loved so much about being in the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA program. The people are incredible, and the coursework was enriching. Even more, it was amazing to have the flexibility to pursue career and education at the same time. But juggling grad school and a busy career teaches you just how much space you have in your brain to learn new things. It’s so rewarding to learn you’re capable of stretching yourself further than you thought possible.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I was a biology major in undergrad, meaning I spent most of my time in a lab learning to collaborate effectively with others on group research projects. I also worked three jobs and rowed on the varsity crew team, meaning free time was a bit of a myth for me. Obviously, the MBA offered a significantly different curriculum compared to my undergrad, but in similar ways it pushed me to work better with others and to work hard and challenge myself.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? I often describe the UNC Kenan-Flagler Online MBA Program as a hybrid program. Though most classes are completed online, there are many opportunities to join your peers in person, whether through formal classes and Summits organized by UNC Kenan-Flagler or informally by connecting with friends that live in your region. I went to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus many times for classes and weekend summits. I went to Ireland and Croatia for an international Summit. To thrive in this kind of program, I encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities. You will develop unique relationships with your peers because nobody else fully understands what you’re going through in managing a career and the MBA. These relationships get a strong start in the virtual classroom but are enhanced when you take the time to meet in person as well.

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? I have lost count of the number of times I walked into work and applied something I learned in classes that week. Pursuing grad school, while working, meant that on a regular basis I was able to put theory into practice. In the process, I was able to use new frameworks for analyzing data, working with others, or solving problems. Just as impactful were my classmates, whose diverse industry experience and perspectives pushed my thinking and created constant opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes, while in the program, I was promoted to my current role as Director in US Commercial Development.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? I wanted an education that could keep up with my career. I’m lucky enough to have found a rewarding career and to work with amazing people. However, I was also eager for a formal business education to open doors for my future growth. I wanted an MBA program that wouldn’t force me to sacrifice either goal. Hybrid work has become the norm in many sectors today. It has made us more efficient and has fostered a more globalized workplace connecting diverse people from around the world. In the same way, hybrid education offers a fantastic opportunity for ambitious professionals looking to have their cake and eat it too, to pursue their careers to the fullest while seeking a world-class education.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? I think my most valuable learning around AI was through hearing how my classmates are using it in their work. We would regularly discuss applications of AI in different industries, and debate ways to use it ethically and responsibly.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: I would typically spend approximately 20-25 hours per week on my MBA. Since finishing the program, it has been great to reacquaint myself with the concept of evenings and weekends.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Working in CAR T cell therapy, I have experienced the thrill of delivering truly innovative, game-changing medicines for patients with life-threatening diseases. There are many exciting paths in life science, but wherever I go, I want to continue to be part of a team that fundamentally reinvents what science can do for patients. My godmother, like too many patients, died from cancer because the pace of innovation could not keep up with the pace of her disease. I want to lead teams that refuse to accept this paradigm, and instead relentlessly pursue bold ideas that can outpace disease and change patients’ lives.

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