Savannah Weatherell                   

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“A lifelong-learner, community-builder, avid hiker and lover of a good cup of tea.”

Hometown: Brentwood, Tennessee

Fun Fact About Yourself: I taught yoga to pay rent during my undergrad and can still stand on my head!

Undergraduate School and Major: Samford University, Psychology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Behavioral Health Specialist

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why? I grew up just south of Nashville. Re-discovering Nashville as an adult and with classmates has made the entire city feel new. Each neighborhood has its own atmosphere, and every weekend, we find a new coffee shop to study. My favorite part, however, has been having my parents in the same city again. Graduate school can be tough, and having my mom drop soup off at my door every now and again is a very sweet addition to my life.

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? The culture of Vanderbilt Medical Center was one of the many reasons why I chose to stay in the Vanderbilt community to pursue my MBA. My former CEO and Owen Alum, Jameson Norton, encouraged me to apply and spoke not only of the academics but of the personable student body. Throughout my recruitment process, I developed a strong relationship with a current student, Caitlin Chin, and an employee, Zeke Arteaga. Their representation of Owen was one of authenticity and support, much like Jameson described. Caitlin helped me practice my Owen interview responses multiple times, and Zeke supported me through the process all the way to my acceptance. Due to this unique and personal experience, Owen was ultimately the only program I applied to simply because it was the only place I wanted to be.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? I am a senate member on the community affairs committee. This year, we planned a Fall Festival. Students and staff were encouraged to write and deliver gratitude notes to peers in exchange for coffee and bagels. The light-hearted activity turned into a deeply meaningful exchange amongst the student body as multiple students commented on the personal impact of receiving a gratitude note. This was hands down my favorite activity due to the overwhelming sense of support our community was able to feel.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In my previous role, I cared for patients in a psychiatric hospital. The importance of mental well-being affects us all, and it was simply an honor to care for our patients. I consider my time with Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital to be my greatest accomplishment in my career co far.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I began my Owen journey knowing I wanted to get involved in student clubs to support the well-being of our community. I am proud to hold a leadership position with OSGA, our student government. I have additionally joined the Turner’s Family Center for Social Ventures and have accepted a position on their consulting team to address the needs of a local company. Accomplishing my goal of becoming involved in community endeavors both on and off campus is very rewarding.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? As a patient care provider, I became more and more curious about the processes set in place to support the patients and the care providers themselves. I knew I could best support these processes were I to receive an MBA in order to learn business strategy, as it intersects with equal, accessible care for diverse patient populations.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA program? Be yourself! Owen offers a “world-class education on a personal scale.” This personal scale permeates throughout the entire application process- the recruiters want to know who YOU are. Tell your fun facts, tell your story, bring your whole self to the table.

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