Rena Ren

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Digital marketer and social media savvy. I love to lighten the spirits around me.”

Hometown: Sichuan, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: My first job out of college was a pastry chef at Ladurée, Beverly Hills. Apart from my full-time job, I am also a live stream host at Revolve, a fashion retailer and a go-to online source for discovery.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of California, Irvine; International Studies

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Spark Universe Media, Director of Operations

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? The vibrant city and energetic people of New York are going to offer a unique opportunity to interact with individuals from various cultural and professional backgrounds. I seek to enrich my perspective, and living in NYC is going to enhance my experience. The bustling atmosphere and the city’s relentless pace inspire a strong work ethic and drive for success. I’m excited to build my network in this dynamic environment. And the best part, I can’t wait to explore all the amazing restaurants in Manhattan!

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? NYU Stern is the only business school that offers a specialization in Luxury & Retail. Because I am pivoting from a startup marketing agency to the established luxury and retail industry, Stern’s Full-time MBA Program is going to help me understand the prestigious high-end market.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? I am most excited to engage with the Luxury & Retail club. It’s going to be a premier source of top talent for the luxury and retail industries.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? To me, EQ involves being self-aware, managing emotions constructively, and understanding the emotions of others to effectively navigate social complexities. In my career, I have seen the value of EQ in various situations. For example, I once had a misunderstanding with a colleague during a meeting. I reached out to her afterward and suggested we grab lunch together that enabled us to communicate openly. This gesture helped us understand each other’s perspectives better moving forward.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At 23-years-old, I became the product marketing manager, founded and oversaw inception and growth of the “Silk Maison” online apparel brand, directed marketing and design departments, and expanded from a team of one to a cross-functional team of 20. It was a rewarding experience, and I believe it shaped my leadership qualities immensely.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? I have lived in four countries (China, Singapore, Japan, US) and traveled to more than 14 others. I believe my multinational experience will bring unique insights to my fellow classmates.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? Be sure your “Pick Six” photo essay shows how unique you are. I would also recommend showing it to a few people and ask for their honest feedback.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2026: THE ‘DO ANYTHING, BE ANYONE’ COHORT