Jaimie Lea Santmyer

The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

“I am a hard-working, naturally optimistic, risk taker, who values community and integrity.”

Hometown: Twig, Minnesota

Fun fact about yourself: I traveled by Greyhound bus for five days from the Atlantic (Newport, RI) to the Pacific (San Fransisco, CA).

Undergraduate School and Degree:

University of Wisconsin-Madison: Master of Social Work

University of Wisconsin-Superior: B.S. in Mathematics and Social Work, Minor Sociology

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Corporacion Charlie Brawn Ltd. (Vina del Mar, Chile), Owner/Operator

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? McKinsey & Company, Columbus, Ohio

Where will you be working after graduation? McKinsey & Company, Associate

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:  

• Peer Mentor to two first-year MBA students (both achieved their goal internships).
• Treasurer, Fisher Women in Business
• Treasurer, Fisher Consulting and Strategy Club

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The achievement I am most proud of during business school is the entire process. When I decided to get my MBA, I was living in Chile and running a business as a mother of three children. I was able to arrange my business, home, and family’s lives so that we could move to the United States. It took me 18 months from the moment I made the decision until my first class. That time was complicated, I needed to make sure all was done well so that my family could also succeed while I was pursuing my dreams. I needed to push myself farther than I knew possible and throughout the process, I succeeded more than I ever dreamed. The entire family had to adapt several times and that took an unimaginable amount of time and patience on top of the academic and networking demands. In addition, it has been important to help those around me in school. I am proud of all my successes and failures during this entire process because I know that I fought for my dreams but along the way, I did not forget those around me.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The moment I am most proud of in my professional career was the moment that I was asked to fire a direct report because she was under-performing, but I knew it was a mistake and I found a better solution. I was able to advocate for her and find common ground that worked for both the company and the employee to thrive. This employee had a back-office position and had been a great performer for the previous two years. I talked with her about her performance, and we developed a hybrid-virtual plan. This was in 2019, when hybrid was not done in our industry. I put my reputation on the line for this employee and she excelled; the next quarter was her best quarter ever. To top it off, when 2020 rolled around, we were put in charge of setting up the company’s virtual work streams. I am most proud of this because I was able to see the big picture and draw together several different layers of reality to create a better future for both the company and this employee.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose to go to Fisher College of Business because of the community. It is important to me who I am surrounding myself with to become the person I want to be. The school needed to be a good match. When I talked with the alumni and staff from Fisher, I felt I was among friends. I did not need to play a role, but rather I was encouraged to believe and strive for my dreams. My image of Fisher was also reinforced because they had a core class focusing on non-profits, this signaled to me that this was a great community. The people making the decision wanted a better future for all and I wanted to be part of that dream. Ultimately, I felt Fisher and I were a great match. I was looking for an institution that would allow me to achieve my ambitious career dreams, but remain true to myself and Fisher checked all the boxes.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course in the MBA was Corporate Finance with Dr. George Pinteris. I enjoyed learning the different ways that a company can use its finance options, but my favorite part of the course was the final project. It just clicked with me and was a thrill. The case and sifting through the financials to solve the puzzle was energizing. It was fun concluding the best recommendations. This was especially true because there was no great option, so it was a puzzle to calculate the best strategy overall. The class provided us with the tools and knowledge to look at the problem through the lens of a Chief Financial Officer. I enjoyed the opportunity.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Fisher Follies is my favorite MBA tradition. Every spring, Fisher has an auction put on by a committee of students and the proceeds are used to help Fisher students who encounter financial difficulties during their MBA. It is an evening of sharing about graduates and teachers. Teachers donate things to auction like homemade graduation cakes, bottles of collectors’ wine, or even Irish folk dance lessons. Last year, no one wanted it to end and, when the venue closed, everyone moved out to a local business. It was a beautiful night of celebrating the graduates and getting to know teachers at a personal level, all while raising money for a great cause. This, for me, is a tradition that defines Fisher because it clinches how close we can get with our cohorts and our teachers. We create bonds that will last a lifetime. In addition, the professors are going through this journey with us and always giving of themselves for the benefit of all.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? The one thing I would have done differently is that I would have stayed on campus longer my first semester. As soon as class finished, I rushed home. I went home immediately to be with my family, but it was not quality time. I was always exhausted because I had to stay up very late studying and put everything on myself, working alone. The second semester, I developed great friends to study with. Once I had my study groups, my learning grew exponentially. Each of us had strengths that added to the overall learning. I was able to learn more efficiently and effectively. Since then, I may get home a bit later but when I am home, I am a much better, happier, and healthier mom.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about Fisher is that you won’t have the opportunities that you have at a big-name school. This is not the case. The Ohio State University is a very proud institution with a ginormous network. Everywhere you look, you can find alumni, and the alumni are very willing to help a fellow Buckeye. In addition, Ohio is growing. There are a lot of unique opportunities constantly being created and built here. Firms are mixing it up; they recognize that they need people from all walks of life and different experiences. I believe I was able to land my dream internship because of The Ohio State University and the networking I was able to do in the Midwest. Lastly, at Fisher, you can get involved in everything if you want. The small cohort size allows for an amazing, personalized experience but it is still connected to a Big Ten university. The academic opportunities and alumni support is first class.

What did you love most about your business school’s town?  I love the quality of life in Columbus Ohio. It is the best place I have ever lived. Before moving to Ohio, I lived looking over my shoulder, having my car broken into several times a year, safety was a constant stress. In Columbus, safety does not have to be a 24/7 thought. Second, my husband is Spanish speaking. I love that my kids and him are safe and free to speak in Spanish together without having anyone ever make them feel uncomfortable about it. I appreciate that, when we are out, there are always families speaking to each other in their native language without fear. I love that. Lastly, I love that there are so many parks and green spaces. There are hundreds of miles of bike trails that run through woods and nature. Being able to enjoy life and build relationships, without having unnecessary stress, is what I love about Columbus. 

What surprised you the most about business school? Coming into business school from a non-traditional path, I thought I was going to have to play a character of a ruthless businessperson to be taken seriously, something like the caricature of Jordan Belfort from The Wolf of Wallstreet. Once I got here and we got through the initial introductions, I quickly realized that we are all here because we strive to be our best and that also includes helping others. I discovered that I can, and should, be myself and I have a lot of value to bring to the table. Also, I dreamt of being a consultant, but I had the image that I had to give up my family and life to do so. Through the relationships and networking that I built during these two years, I now understand that we are all living diverse lives, some with families and some without, but we are all just doing the best we can. There is a place for me in the business world because I can be hard when it is necessary, but kind with boundaries and that is a great trait. Learning that I can have deep impact and success being exactly who I am is what surprised me most about business school.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Eva Menezes is the MBA classmate that I admire most. She has navigated the United States through language and cultural barriers after moving here from Brazil. However, this was just the beginning of her journey. I admire Eva for her ability to advocate for herself and strengthen those around her. During the internship search, Eva became discouraged because the traditional recruiting pipelines were not setting her up for success. With lots of reflection and bravery, Eva approached her goal company with complete transparency and advocated for herself. The firm responded positively and, through the process that she advocated for, they were able to see all that Eva had to bring to the organization. She was able to secure the internship and a full-time offer.

I also admire Eva because she has an amazing gift to make sure every voice in the room is heard. As we were forming the leadership positions of the Fisher Women in Business organization, Eva was a natural choice for president. However, she encouraged a fellow member to speak up and bid for a stronger role. She always knows how to get the best out of everyone around her. Eva tends not to be the center of attention, but she is always making moves to make sure people are well and I admire her progress during this program in learning to do that for herself too.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? As I am looking forward to the next stage of my professional career, I am excited for the opportunity to join a non-profit board and help move some of these amazing projects forward by sharing my skills and experience.

Also, in a few years, I would love to get into coaching. I see coaching as a great full circle opportunity where I combine all my life lessons in business and social work in a position that will allow me to help others reach their potential.

What made Jaimie Santmyer such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Jaimie’s intellectual curiosity, originality of thought, and her keen ability to connect with others have distinguished her as one of Fisher’s best within the Class of 2024. Jaimie has beautifully balanced Fisher’s rigorous Full-Time MBA program and family, all while investing in the success of her fellow students by serving as a peer-mentor and leader within several student organizations. A fellow student, Kyle, shared that Jaimie is “an exceptional friend to all…quick to lend a hand and help anyone that crosses her path.”

When core faculty were asked what made Jaimie such a valuable addition to the class, Dr. Telesilla Kotsi commented, “Jaimie excelled at bringing together students from diverse backgrounds to work on team projects and presentations. Her understanding and open communication fostered an environment of trust and respect. This not only helped students collaborate more effectively, but also supported each other’s growth.” Dr. Elena Plaksenkova noted that she was consistently impressed by Jaimie’s comments and observations during class and “equally impressed by her personal leadership, and by her nurturing attitude in her work outside of the class, creating opportunities not only for herself, but also for others around her.” Dr. Lori Kendall added, “Jaimie took on the program with a commitment and dedication to learning the craft of business while retaining her values…she is an outstanding ambassador for the Fisher MBA Brand.”

Leanda Rix
Managing Director, FTMBA Program

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024