2015 Best MBAs: Robyn Peters

Robyn Peters

Texas A&M University, Mays Business School

Robyn Peters wondered if she belonged in a top MBA program when she stepped foot on the Mays campus. Two years later, she ended up the valedictorian for the Class of 2015. During her two-year MBA experience, Peters volunteered to lead whenever she could, serving as a vice president for Texas A&M’s chapter of the National Association of Women MBAs and the Mays Business School MBA Association. The example she set made her a natural to be both a liaison with prospective students and a class agent with alumni. “We couldn’t have a better ambassador,” says John Krajicek, an executive professor at the school.

Hometown: Edmonton, Canada

Undergraduate School: University of Alberta

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Commerce in Finance

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Investment Advisor, TD Bank Financial Group

Where did you intern during the summer of 2014? Investor Relations at Noble Energy, Inc. (Houston, Texas)

Where will you be working after graduation? Consultant, Strategy & Operations at Deloitte Consulting LLP (Houston, Texas)

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I realized how long it would take to climb the corporate latter without an advanced degree and an expanded network.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…either still working in financial services or living in Europe trying to perfect my French.”

What are your long-term professional goals? I’ve embarked on a career in consulting. It may be a little premature to say my long-term goals are congruent with the path to partner, but I can say that my goals are to be challenged, to be a valuable contributor and to never let my career take precedence over my family. Family is #1.

Favorite Courses: Corporate Finance, Operations Management and Business Communications

Which academic or professional achievements are you most proud of? My proudest academic achievement is my selection as the Dr. Jerry R Strawser Outstanding MBA Student for the Class of 2015. In the first week of the MBA Program, it became clear that I was among people whose knowledge and experience far surpassed my own. Looking around the room, I wasn’t quite sure how I even got admitted! But as I got to know my classmates, I realized that what we all had in common was our willingness to help each other through this hurricane of an MBA program. To do my part, I signed up for leadership roles and got involved wherever possible. Never did I think my professors would choose me as “Outstanding Student” – this is just what Aggies do. I am proud to have made a small contribution to my class and tremendously grateful for the opportunity.

Who would you most want to thank for your success (and why)? My mentor, friend, business advisor, confidant and amazing father – Frank Peters. Neither of my parents have a college education, nor does their success indicate they needed one. My Dad is a dedicated entrepreneur with a constant vision for his next endeavor. He taught me good business sense and has always been supportive of my pursuits. Without his guidance (and gentle pushes when I need them), I would not have made it as far as I have – nor would I be striving forward with my own vision.

Why did you choose this business school? I was looking for an MBA program that met three key criteria: 1) Strong return on investment; 2) A robust curriculum that would allow me to round out my business acumen; and 3) A smaller program where I would be more than a student ID number. Mays Business School far exceeded my expectations in all three.

What did you enjoy most about business school? I enjoyed working with people of such diverse backgrounds. It is an incredibly humbling experience to work with tremendously experienced people that are far smarter than me. I learned just as much from my classmates as I did from my professors. There were certainly sleepless nights pushing to finish a deliverable, but it was fun and worth it because we were in it together. They are now my Aggie family – a bond that transcends far beyond a graduating class.

What is your most memorable moment from business school? Sitting with the three most remarkable people I have ever met in Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University, hearing our team announced as the winners of the National MBA Case Competition in Ethical Leadership – the first time Texas A&M University had won since the inception of the Competition.

Fun fact about yourself: I dislike seafood more than any other food, but have swallowed a live goldfish – anything to help my team win a competition.

Favorite book: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg…because I was able to study this book from an entirely different perspective than Ms. Sandberg’s standard reader demographic – with my Bahraini classmate, Ahmed!

Favorite movie: Walk the Line

Favorite musical performer: King George (Strait)

Favorite television show: Lately…House of Cards

Favorite vacation spot: Nice, France

What are your hobbies? DIY Projects, watching golf and spending time with my large family (15 nieces and nephews and counting).

What made Robyn such an invaluable addition to the class of 2015?

Robyn Peters is one of those rare students who feels more like a colleague than a student. From the very beginning of her time here, she demonstrated strong, independent thinking, incredible drive and motivation, and genuine care for her classmates, professors, and school. Robyn is a natural leader, but she doesn’t simply rely on her natural talents. She works very hard to improve herself. In fact, several months after she graduated, she sent me an email thanking me for my class and letting me know that she is continuing to work on my course content. As her class neared graduation, and my colleagues and I were asked to choose the outstanding student in the class, Robyn was the clear winner. I have no doubt that Robyn will continue to thrive and be successful in whatever she does. I am honored that she is representing Mays Business School. We couldn’t have a better ambassador.

– John Krajicek, executive professor and assistant director of Business Communication Studies