Brandon Yip

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“Passionate about empowering others, clinician steered by empathy, who delights in the joy of learning.”

Hometown: Holmdel, NJ

Fun Fact About Yourself: I take photos of trees to commemorate a significant life event that has happened that day. So far, my photojournal has over 156 trees photographed!

Undergraduate School and Major: Northeastern University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Missionary at Thrive Church Taipei

The MBA program is renowned for its “Team Fuqua” culture, which is predicated on six paired principles: Authentic Engagement, Supportive Ambition, Collective Diversity, Impactful Stewardship, Loyal Community, and Uncompromising Integrity. Which of these resonates most with you – and what does that principle demand of you as a Fuqua MBA? One paired principle that resonates with my core values is Impactful Stewardship. I’m a huge advocate for stewarding the responsibilities given to us to the fullest of our ability, and not settling for the bare minimum. This entails not just implementing solutions and walking away but empowering peers, clients, and even patients to be confident in taking ownership of themselves and their community.

What has been your first impression of the Fuqua MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Fuqua story so far. Without a doubt, this community of Fuqua students and alumni are incredibly supportive. Team Fuqua is daily lived out in sharing each other’s successes and growing even in the midst of setbacks. Early on in the application process, I had reached out to a mutual friend of a friend, who was in the Fuqua Class of 2018, to learn more about his unique journey. From our first coffee chat to what would continue as an ongoing series of meet ups, this alum has gone above and beyond by connecting me with other Fuqua alumni working in my area of interest within Health Tech; aiding me in my decision-making process between schools; and ensuring I was focused on living out my core values. He continues to be a mentor faithfully walking alongside me.

Aside from your classmates and school culture, what was the key part of Duke Fuqua’s MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Seeking a career in the technology sector with an interest in digital health, the Health Sector Management (HSM) certificate was a huge draw! Having worked as a Registered Nurse in a Cardiac Surgical ICU and having developed a deep understanding of the patient journey and clinician pain points, I knew HSM would provide me a comprehensive understanding of all of the intricate parts within the healthcare industry. Having talked with alumni who have pursued the certificate and now experienced HSM Bootcamp myself, I’ve come to recognize the collective power of diversity that is drawn to the HSM program.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Duke Fuqua? I’m excited to join the Christian Business Fellowship at Duke Fuqua. My Christian faith is an integral part that roots my values in following after God’s heart, and am eager to meet those with similar and also different backgrounds and beliefs!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Throughout this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I worked as a Registered Nurse in a makeshift COVID-ICU. I am so proud to have been a frontline worker alongside some amazing colleagues utilizing our training, clinical expertise, and sheer grit to care for the sickest COVID patients.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? Having worked as a frontline healthcare worker in the midst of a global pandemic, I realized that my sole clinical role would not be enough to tackle the pain points of our patients and clinician’s like myself have experienced. I wanted to supplement my clinical expertise with acquired business acumen, to pursue a role in product management within the digital health and technology sector.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? TBOY: The Best One Yet! Imagine a podcast that condenses the top business stories into a digestible and engaging format for any listener. That is what the hosts Jack and Nick skillfully do! I was recommended to this podcast by a current second year at Fuqua and have almost religiously listened to them on my morning runs.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Duke Fuqua’s MBA program? Be your authentic self! Don’t try and write what you think the admissions counselors want to read but tell your story. When thinking about the inevitable question, “Why MBA”, spend some time thinking introspectively and reflecting on your core principles that guide your life. Lastly be vulnerable not just with yourself but to those within your support system. They are the people that will keep you grounded and ensure you are levelheaded throughout this amazing journey!

DON’T MISS: MEET DUKE FUQUA’S MBA CLASS OF 2024