Ryan Leadbeater

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“Husband, father, Army veteran, and football enthusiast.”

Hometown: Redwood City, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: Thanks to my two daughters, I’ve become a great impromptu cook and Disney+ fan.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy, B.S. Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Army, Field Artillery Officer

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why? It is the unique mix of opportunities in Nashville. Having lived in Tennessee for two years prior to business school, I’ve witnessed first-hand the amazing growth the city has experienced. All the while, Nashville has retained its southern hospitality and welcoming culture. The food is amazing too!

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One part of Vanderbilt’s MBA program that stood out to me was the culture. Owen’s culture revolves around collaboration, small-class sizes, and a high-touch, personal approach. Coming from the military, I wanted a more personalized approach for the next step in my professional journey, and I have certainly found that at Owen. Everyone from staff and faculty to alumni has been incredibly eager and willing to assist current students reach their future goals.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? My favorite class thus far has been Financial Accounting with Erik Olson. Coming from a non-business background, I really enjoyed learning some of the core accounting principles that have proved incredibly relevant as I continue through business school. However, what made this class particularly enjoyable was Erik’s energy and devotion to the class. He puts an incredible amount of effort into the class and genuinely cares about our mastery of the material (as evidenced by his Friday evening Zoom sessions with anyone who needs help.) He truly embodies the personal scale that Owen is known for.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As an executive officer, I was second-in-command of an 84 person organization and in charge of various internal systems and processes. This job was incredibly challenging (yet fulfilling) as it challenged my ability to drive results while building long-lasting, meaningful relationships. As someone only four years removed from college, I was humbled by the breadth of responsibilities and opportunities to make an impact.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? It was joining the leadership board of the Vanderbilt Business Healthcare Association. Coming from a non-healthcare background, I’ve enjoyed learning about different opportunities within the industry, while also giving back to the club and MBA program.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? After six years in the Army, I decided to leave the military and found that business school was the next logical step. I feel confident that an MBA will provide me with the business acumen and technical skills to appropriately leverage my leadership experiences from the military. After graduation, I hope to work in finance or operations for a health care company dedicated to improving the quality of life for others.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA program? Have a plan when applying for business school and be proactive. There are many requirements when applying for business school, so be sure to dedicate ample time to completing them. Also, there are many resources available to prospective students during the application process to Owen. Utilizing these resources (admissions counselor, virtual events, current students, and alumni) becomes easier and more effective if you have an idea of what you hope to accomplish during and after business school.

DON’T MISS: MEET VANDERBILT OWEN’S MBA CLASS OF 2023