Meet the MBA Class of 2023: Danny Rosa, University of Virginia (Darden)

Danny Rosa

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“Spunky, gay Latino on a mission to prove that the impossible is possible.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve completed 4 marathons (Los Angeles x2, Long Beach, Marine Corps) and 1 triathlon (Chicago)

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Chicago – Sociology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Stanford University Office of Undergraduate Admission – Admission Counselor for Diversity

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? What really drew me to the case method was how engaging of a learning experience it would be. In the case method, you can’t hide from the professor or stay quiet during class period. You have to be constantly engaged to provide your thoughts on the case at hand and be prepared to be cold called by the professor. To me, this is exactly what I wanted in my MBA academics because I knew it would mimic what being in the real world would be. For example, when you’re meeting with a client or in a strategy meeting, you might get called on by the higher ups to express your opinion. I knew that the case method would best prepare me for these types of scenarios. As it pertains to being a manager, I think the case method helps create a more inclusive work environment since you become acutely aware of which voices are dominating conversations and which ones should be encouraged to speak louder.

What word best describes the Darden MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far and why? Supportive. I was incredibly nervous to start my MBA given that I’m a career switcher from a non-quantitative background. But I’ve found that my classmates have been tremendously supportive in bringing me up to speed with the material. If I have questions about accounting processes or financial modeling, there’s always someone able and willing to help. At times, it’s difficult for me to ask questions and admit that I’m struggling but the supportive nature of my classmates gives me the comfort to voice my knowledge gaps. Even outside of class I’ve seen the support network at its finest.

The c/o 2023 started a GroupMe over the summer and people have asked for help moving boxes, furniture, or coordinating rides from the airport. Without fail, there is always someone willing to lend a hand to a fellow classmate. As it pertains to alumni, I appreciate the support they’ve given me to help me better understand industries I’m exploring. In conversations with them, I’m not afraid to ask what sell-side M&A means because I know that they want to see me succeed. Talking to alumni at firms or industries I’m considering gives me a safe space to ask questions I would otherwise be shy to ask.

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? It is the remote location. I grew up in the heart of Los Angeles (South Central to be exact) and then proceeded to live in large cities throughout the U.S. (Chicago, DC, SF Bay Area). I’d had enough of the hustle and bustle of city life, and I knew that for graduate school I wanted to be in a much smaller location where I could recharge for a few years and make deep connections with my classmates.

I was immediately drawn to Darden and Charlottesville’s location because of the ease of access to hiking trails, Shenandoah National Park, and various breweries and vineyards. I’d heard of how overwhelming business school would be so I wanted to ensure that I had access to activities that would help me destress. For me, those activities involve being in nature and having sweeping vistas. Once I moved to Charlottesville, I told several of my friends that I felt at peace here given the abundance of mountains and greenery surrounding me.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Virginia Darden? I’m really excited for the Darden School of Brew! I have been a beer aficionado for a while now so I was immediately drawn to one of Darden’s most unique clubs. I’m excited to learn more about the beer making process, understanding the craft beer industry better, and make my own beer. I knew that Charlottesville was a vineyard haven, but I didn’t expect it to be an extensive craft brewery scene as well. The School of Brew actually partners with a local craft brewery to brew some SOB beers at their brewery for public consumption.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest professional accomplishment was admitting high-achieving, underrepresented students into Stanford University. When you’re admitting 4% of applicants, it’s easy to expect excellence from everyone. But I pushed our office to understand that excellence isn’t the same for everyone to think otherwise would discount the barriers underrepresented students face and the excellence they demonstrate within their personal contexts.

I vividly remember my last admissions committee at Stanford when I had to advocate for a particular student in front of the entire admissions reading staff. This student had modest academics that didn’t inspire confidence in some readers, but I pointed towards their ability to navigate systems, preference for long-term rather than short-term goals, and leadership experience as evidence that they would rise to the occasion if given the opportunity. My impassioned advocacy swayed my colleagues to extend a near-unanimous acceptance for them. Admitting this student is by far my biggest professional accomplishment to date, and a moment I’ll cherish for years to come.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? The pandemic didn’t really change my perspective on my career, but it did illuminate how intertwined business and government are. A private sector shutdown like we saw in the spring of 2020 is something no one has ever seen before, and this was largely driven by public sector policies preventing private businesses from operating. Even through all the surges and re-openings, we saw how much power governments had in determining appropriate next steps. Whatever role I end up falling into after Darden, I’ll be acutely aware of the relationship between my industry and government.

On the personal front, COVID-19 showed me how important compassion is in today’s society. It can be rather difficult to empathize with someone if you haven’t been through a similar struggle, but the pandemic affected everyone, albeit in different capacities. I think this shared experience has, on average, deepened our connections with one another and provides us an avenue to give people the space they need to take care of themselves and recharge.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I applied to business school because I was feeling stuck in my career in the non-profit and higher education spaces. While I enjoyed the work I was doing, it wasn’t analytical in nature and I wasn’t feeling challenged at work anymore. In some ways, I felt bored and complacent. I knew that an MBA curriculum would push me to wrestle with concepts and material that I’m not accustomed to and open doors to careers that would intellectually stimulate me.

My goal is to transition into the investment banking industry, specifically mergers and acquisitions. Banking appeals to me because of its rigorous demands, team-centered approach, and quantitative work. I’m acutely aware that people of color and LGBT individuals are severely underrepresented in the banking industry, let alone someone who lives both identities. I’m interested not only in being challenged daily in the work I do but also thinking about how I can work to make the banking field more inclusive to diverse individuals.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? University of Michigan Ross School of Business

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Virginia Darden’s MBA program? I was incredibly nervous for my interview at Darden. I had known how notoriously difficult it was given that they basically only ask one question: tell us your life story. A simple yet deceiving question was what stood between me and my top business program. What I really appreciated about Darden’s interview, however, was a chance to do just what the question asked – share my story. It was really a moment for my interviewer to get to know me, my motivations, and what I hoped to get from a Darden MBA. The other MBA interviews I had done felt very transactional, ala a traditional business interview with behavioral questions. But Darden was much more concerned with who I was as a person and how I would fit into Darden’s culture.

I say all this to express how important it is to know yourself well enough to share your story with the Darden admissions committee. Reflecting on your past self, your accomplishments, and how all that translates into your future career is key to gaining admissions at Darden.

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

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