Meet the MBA Class of 2023: Flora van Vredenburch, Georgetown (McDonough)

Flora van Vredenburch

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“I am 24 years old, ambitious and ready to make my mark.”

Hometown: London, United Kingdom

Fun Fact About Yourself: I gained my Private Pilots License at 18 years old.

Undergraduate School and Major: Newcastle University (UK), Business and Marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Food Buyer, Marks and Spencer’s (Supermarket in the UK)

What excites you most about studying in Washington, DC? I’ve always wanted to live in America, and to now be in the nation’s capital is my dream come true – personally and professionally.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Georgetown McDonough’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? It is a renowned program at a world-class university, proactive, and highly interactive. It is also well-taught by experts in their respective fields, with a global mindset that receives excellent student feedback. It’s a huge investment, so getting it right is paramount.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Georgetown McDonough? I really liked the club concept and the priority and focus they are given. I am planning to join the Women in Business, Consulting, and Entrepreneurship clubs, but I remain open minded about several others.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My final role at Marks & Spencer was overseeing the Grill product line. Within it we launched a super-premium line for the first time at Marks & Spencer and the broader UK superstore market. I am excited to see how it performs compared to our ambitious forecast budgets.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general?
It made me realize to not to take anything for granted, and to grab every opportunity as it arises. It also pushed me to conclude that much as I was enjoying my job, I wanted the best learning curve possible. Hence, I embarked on an MBA earlier than I would have anticipated.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I had been at my previous role for two years and was looking for a new challenge to push myself and grow further. I always had an MBA in mind and everything fell into place for me to be part of the class of ’23. After graduation, I’m looking to join a strategic consulting or venture capital firm, focused on the revolution that is gathering pace in the FMCG, food and restaurant industries.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? NYU for their full time MBA program.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Georgetown McDonough’s MBA program? Adcoms get thousands of applications so have maximum empathy for the team evaluating them! The best way to make their job easier and you stand out is to reflect on what makes for a great MBA cohort and the role that you can play in making that happen. Much of the learning is peer-to-peer, so emphasize what your experiences and skills will add to the whole – and the video submission is perfect for that so take your time!

DON’T MISS: MEET GEORGETOWN MCDONOUGH’S MBA CLASS OF 2023

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