Meet the MBA Class of 2023: Alexis Maria Orr, University of Virginia (Darden)

Alexis Maria Orr

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“Enthusiastic life student and passionate lover of black excellence, finding little victories in everyday life.”

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Undergraduate School and Major: Howard University, Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Equinox, Membership Advisor

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The case method takes a holistic approach to managing styles and assessing the needs of the business. All parties are considered and the data is quantifiable to make the best business decision. It allows us to learn the best practices to effectively manage while also being mindful of the intangibles.

What word best describes the Darden MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far and why? Eclectic!

Aside from cases and classmates, what was the key part of Virginia Darden’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The diversity and inclusion community and support by staff and faculty. There is an emphasis on creating a more diverse program while allocating adequate resources and tools to do so was a huge deciding factor for me.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Virginia Darden? DABO, BBSA and PAD. I’m excited to create change in each of these clubs and raise awareness and acknowledgement of their intersectionalities. Showing people that we are connected on a multitude of levels and that there is a domino effect on our actions, allows for understanding, empathy, and allyship.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Being a part of the conversation to move the needle forward on increasing visibility of Black and Brown people in my previous industry. Assuming responsibility to hold some difficult conversations, holding consumers and colleagues alike accountable for their actions and assuring our pipeline of diverse talent remained rich and the door wide open for future leaders to follow suit.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? COVID-19 reminded me that the time is NOW and tomorrow has never been promised. If you’re reading this, take this as your sign that you can do hard things, you are brave and today is the greatest opportunity you’ve had to make a difference. Take it.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I’d grown and learned so much in my professional career managing large teams and assessing business needs, but I knew there was still so much more to learn. Applying to pursue my MBA was about expanding that knowledge, increasing my exposure to cultural differences in business practices and broadening my knowledge on best business management practices. Post-graduation I hope to work in management consulting and take my previous experiences, paired with my MBA journey to help asses and solve business problems across industries.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? William & Mary, Wisconsin-Madison, Kelley- IU, Ross- Michigan

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Virginia Darden’s MBA program? Take your time to learn what is most important to you. Align your morals, values and non-negotiables before applying to any program. Research, reach out to students and faculty and ask real and hard questions. This is the next two years of your life: make sure you’ll be spending it somewhere you love. Once you learn Darden aligns with that, harvest those relationships you built during your research, look for groups and clubs that interest you and learn what they’ve done and what you can add as a new member of their organizations. We’re looking for dynamic and enthusiastic classmates and that’s you!

DON’T MISS: MEET UVA DARDEN’S CLASS OF 2023

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