Some of the MBA students in the Class of 2019 at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management
“Elite, but egalitarian.”
That’s one way to describe the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. An Ivy built on community as much as pedigree, Johnson is a program that draws students who are passionate yet grounded and open yet hungry. In the process, the program creates an environment where students simultaneously raise the bar and level the field – always bringing out the best in each other as much as themselves.
As an undergrad at Cornell, Dave Elman had grasped the value of community. After deciding to return graduate school, this consultant also wanted a program that fit – a “smaller, tight-knit community outside of a major city.” Although Elman was intent on striking out somewhere new, he decided to return to his alma mater for a social. And he quickly remembered what drew him to Ithaca years earlier. He felt “invigorated” by the “energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness” of his fellow MBA applicants. And he was stunned by how swiftly that faculty would connect him to alumni in his targeted industry.
A COMMUNITY SPIRIT LIKE FEW OTHERS
At Cornell, his network – and his possibilities – seemed to accelerate. After that, the decision to return to Cornell became a “no-brainer.” “My interactions during the admissions process assuaged my hesitations and solidified my view that Johnson is a warm and welcoming community of ambitious, engaged, interesting, and accomplished individuals,” he says.
Shannon Boyle, a U.S. Army Commander and mother-to-be, enjoyed a similar experience – even attending a social like Elman. Initially, she was impressed by the school’s stunning architecture and the city’s scrumptious dining. On a second visit, it was the community – the students and faculty – who left the deepest impression on her.
Cornell Johnson students
“Their presence made the experience an unforgettable one — they both supported and challenged each other, and that relationship seemed tangible as I moved from the atrium for coffee to a class, to a Sage Social,” she shares. “Even though I was just a visitor, I felt immediately swept up into the community and could not picture a more perfect fit for me as I transitioned into my next chapter.”
HATE THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS SONG? BLAME THIS CORNELL 1ST YEAR
You’ll find elite talent paired with a down-to-earth spirit across the Class of 2019. Take
Christine Mbaye Muchemu. By day, she is an engineer and project manager at a nuclear power station. Outside work, you’ll find her prepping for her next marathon – or 50K. When Elman wasn’t climbing the ladder at Ernst & Young, the “innately curious” and “adventurous” Elman was indulging in his passions: cars, fitness, ethnic food, and didgeridoo – an Aboriginal wind instrument. Then, there is Peter Ferrara, a former varsity baseball star at Lafayette College who has managed to sing karaoke on five continents. He also brings a serious side, a man who holds a master of finance from Cambridge University and has interned for U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Indeed, this is a class that truly embraces life – and its many risks and joys. Alexei Viarruel is bound to join Mbaye Muchemu along the Cayuga or Finger Lakes trails. He is obsessive about physical fitness. “I have run several long-distance races, triathlons, and adventure races and will play basically any sport involving a ball,” he admits. Lindsay Staley may have grown up in Ithaca, but she went on to become a professional dancer with the Nashville Ballet. Whatever you do, don’t take Symone Williams up on any dares. “I’ve swum with sharks in South Africa, bathed elephants in India, and held pythons in Peru,” she says. If you take her to Stewart Park, you’ll quickly discover her Kryptonite. “I’ve had a deep-seated fear of geese since the age of five,” she admits.
When the Class of 2019 start their families, they can thank Gina Tucker for the gift that keeps on giving (headaches, that is). “I was one of the children singing in the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song!”
A CLASS THAT LEADS BY EXAMPLE
This class may fit the “Elite, but egalitarian” mold, but perhaps its defining feature is its ‘Lead by example’ ethos. Ogbemi Ekwejunor-Etchie personifies this spirit. Four years ago, he was working for Corning when it purchased an overseas firm. Sure enough, he was selected to lead a team of American and South Korean engineers and technicians in building a new product line. He understood that meshing distinctive corporate mores and technical processes would be challenging enough. However, the differences in language and culture added a cement-thick layer of complexity to building a cross-functional team.
To achieve his goals, Ekwejunor-Etchie took the humble path. Overseas, he would “delve into Korean culture,” with the intent of setting the right tone for collaborating together. “I found that the easiest way to learn about the culture was through cuisine,” he professes. “Through the stories that accompanied each dish, I gained a deeper understanding of the perspectives my colleagues held. From the experiences of sampling homemade kim-chi to sannakji (live octopus), I leveled cultural barriers and showed that I was willing to do whatever it took to forge strong relationships, which was then reflected in our future interactions on the floor and in meetings. I believe this seemingly unimportant mindset, creating a dynamic team atmosphere, and investing time to understand the culture contributed to the successful completion of the objectives of executing our strategy.”
Cornell’s Big Red Marching Band helped to end the celebration of the $150 million gift
Ekwejunor-Etchie was hardly alone in leading by example. Barbara Demetrio Salgado, for instance, was considered such a “go-to” employee at her bank that it gave her a merit-based scholarship so she could earn her master’s in finance. Mbaye Muchemu was more than a go-to at Bruce Power Nuclear. She was the leader of her team – a team where she is the only woman and possessed the least industry experience. For her, leading by example meant occasionally showing vulnerability. “It was only by both being comfortable with being “uncomfortable” and by admitting when I did not know something that I was able to effectively lead and gain the respect of all the team members,” she admits.
APPLICATIONS DOWN NEARLY 16%
The 2016-2017 cycle was punctuated by several major developments at Johnson, including the consolidation of three school and the opening of its Cornell Tech program. However, this news didn’t translate into greater interest from applicants. In fact, applications fell by 15.7%, going from 1,960 to 1,653. At the same time, the school’s acceptance rate rose to 30% as the Class of 2019 features seven fewer students in its 277-member class. That said, these numbers are technically a return to the Class of 2017’s profile, which had 1,704 applications, a 32.4% acceptance rate, and a class size of 274 students.
Beyond applications, many program numbers remained relatively consistent, with the average GMAT and average GPA staying the same. On a positive note, however, median GMATs climbed 10 points with the incoming class to 710. Like the previous class, the highest percentage of students majored in business as undergrads. However, this number slid from 41% to 35%. Humanities and engineering majors accounted for 28% and 20% of the class respectively.
Demographically, the class is slightly less diverse. The percentage of women fell from 31% to 27%, a slice that was still higher than the 2017 Class. International students maintained a 34% share of the class, a number consistent with the previous two years. Professionally, 25% of the class comes to Ithaca after working in finance, the same rate as the 2018 Class. Beyond that, consultants make up 16% of the class, up nine points. In contrast, technology dropped six points to 6%.
Go to page 2 to see in-depth profiles of incoming Johnson students.
The Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island
A BIG GIFT OPENS A LOT OF DOORS
While input like applications may have steadied this year, Cornell students have unquestionably excelled after graduation. The Class of 2016, for example, earned $143,026 in starting pay, higher than their full-time peers at programs like Northwestern Kellogg and Duke Fuqua. At the same time, Forbes reported in October that Cornell MBAs enjoyed a pay gain of $70,400 over the past five years, as the average pay for the Class of 2012 reached $172,000. Alumni aren’t the only ones reaping the benefits of the Johnson MBA experience. In the 2017 Bloomberg Businessweek student survey, Cornell MBA candidates gave their school the third-highest marks for satisfaction – a further indication that the school is on the upswing.
For one, the school has completed the merger of its three business schools: the undergrad Dyson School, the School of Hotel Administration and the Johnson Graduate School of Management. This consolidation has enabled the program to pool the resources of the third largest business school faculty. In doing so, the program has torn down its traditional silos to better foster opportunities for students and faculty alike. “The new college enhances collaboration across these schools, providing more degree programs, faculty, resources, and expertise,” explains Johnson Dean Mark Nelson in a statement to Poets&Quants.”Whether the focus is solving real-world challenges or deeply immersing in a particular industry, each school offers something unique and meaningful for students.”
That wasn’t the only good news. In January, Johnson also received the largest gift in its history: $150 million dollars. According to Nelson, two-thirds of the gift will be set aside in the endowment for future investment that will “help provide enhanced scholarships, hire new faculty, and allow for the development of curriculum.” The remaining $50 million dollars will be applied to a challenge grant that could potentially triple this amount. Nelson adds that school investment has also enabled the program “to double our square footage with new buildings in Ithaca, NY, at the Breazzano Family Center for Business Education, and at the Bridge building on the Cornell Tech campus.”
CORNELL TECH BRIDGES ITHACA WITH THE NEW YORK TECH SCENE
Cornell’s crown jewel is unquestionably Cornell Tech, which opened in September. Located on Roosevelt Island, this $2 billion dollar, five acre campus aims to bring Silicon Valley to the East River. It is home to 300 graduate schools in engineering, computer sciences, law, and business – with the plan to expand this number to over 2,000. Johnson itself occupies 20,000 square feet in what is called “The Bridge,” an area replete with classrooms and workspaces, not to mention computer and research labs for activities like prototyping.
Cornell Johnson Dean Mark Nelson
Cornell Tech itself is a one-year degree program which opens with core courses held in Ithaca. From there, students move into cross-disciplinary teams in a startup studio environment where they partner with real clients to design solutions to a major issue like traffic congestion (Product Studio) or bootstrap to turn a concept into an enterprise (Startup Studio). Long-term, Johnson hopes to boost enrollment in the four year-old program to 175 students – with Ithaca enrollment holding steady at roughly 275 students.
In fact, Nelson is counting on plenty of synergies emerging between Ithaca and New York City. The end game is a “One school, two campus” approach. Notably, the school is already hosting weekend classes at Cornell Tech, even chartering a regular shuttle bus between the two campuses. This spring, Ithaca students can also take seven-week courses with Cornell Tech, with the plan to eventually roll out a semester in New York for tech-minded members of the class. There are even plans to broadcast online classes between the two campuses.
Such integration, Nelson believes, will offer MBA students with greater mentorship and guidance in increasingly-important areas as Cornell Tech grows. “New programs will enable Ithaca-based students to spend significant time at the Cornell Tech campus on topics like Fintech, Digital Marketing, and others,” he states. ”This initiative continues our construction of a dual-campus model in which students in our Johnson Cornell Tech MBA program spend summers in Ithaca, while students in our Ithaca-based Two-year and Accelerated or One-year MBA programs can spend some of their program at our facility on the Cornell Tech campus. This curricular innovation allows students to experience the best of both worlds – the richness of Cornell in Ithaca and exposure to a network of companies and Cornell-Tech in New York.”
IMMERSIONS PREP FIRST YEARS FOR THE INTERNSHIP
Breakthroughs like Cornell Tech have snagged the headlines. However, if you asked the Class of 2019 to name what excited them most about a Johnson MBA, they will likely list an old stand-by: Immersions. After completing the fall core, first-years are freed up to complete hands-on immersions, a series of workshops, projects, live cases, and field visits in their chosen concentration. Here, students can choose immersions in areas like investment banking, strategic marketing, digital technology, and sustainable global enterprise. They also have the option to customize their immersion, with recent choices including health care, human resources, and hospitality.
The goal, of course, is for the immersion to simulate the all-important summer internship. “The immersions allow students to gain hands-on exposure to the roles they’ll have in their summer internships, giving us a leg up on some of our peers from other schools,” argues Tucker. This leg up, adds Ekwejunor-Etchie, stems from the nature of the experience. “The opportunity to directly apply classroom knowledge to real-time problems and get hands-on experience in my chosen field appealed to me — being able to walk into an internship already possessing the skills needed to do the job,” he says.
Over the past decade, Johnson has also emerged as one of the top MBA programs for sustainability. Anchored by the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise, the Center is a leader in social good research, along with facilitating projects for students that have included leading companies like Barclays, Emerson, and MGM Resorts. For Viarruel, such resources are the ticket to broadening his ability to make a positive impact beyond his experience in finance.
A SCHOOL FOR ALL SEASONS
Among the six new courses this fall at Cornell Johnson are two “intensives”: fintech and digital marketing
“In contrast to the more nonprofit mindset that most programs have, at Johnson the focus is on ‘developing competitive, profitable solutions built on rigorous business analysis of social and environmental sustainability challenges,’” he assets. “I really view these challenges around sustainability as core to being successful in business in the future. As my career progressed I found myself more and more interested in how I could apply my skills to address some of these issues. Being a “finance guy,” Johnson’s results-oriented and practical approach appealed to me.”
Perhaps the most underrated part of the Johnson MBA is Ithaca itself. The proverbial college town, it is the perfect getaway from disconnected urban life with its farmers markets and festivals. Home to over 150 waterfalls, the area is packed with nature trails and swimming holes. It is truly a city of four seasons, where students picnic, golf and visit wineries in the spring and fall and skate and ski over the winter. It may be rural, but it is hardly isolated; students are just a four hour drive from New York City (and an hour from Syracuse).
Such amenities, coupled with a small town atmosphere, tends to foster an MBA experience marked by close relationships between students…and Cornell is no different says Staley. “The tight-knit community was a key factor in my decision to attend Johnson,” she shares. “I not only wanted to build my professional network during my two years in school, but I also wanted to develop lifelong friendships. Though we have only been in class for a few weeks, I can already tell that is definitely achievable at Johnson.”
I WANT TO BE A “SUCCESS STORY”
What else does the Class of 2019 hope to achieve during the 2017-2018 school year? Elman plans to pursue his passion, which is to shape the future of transportation – and hopes his classmates come along for the ride. “Most people do not think of Ithaca as a hub for transportation innovation, but students and faculty are performing fascinating research — across multiple disciplines — that has the potential to change the world,” he gushes. “One of my goals this year is to establish the infrastructure for MBA students to formally collaborate with engineering and computer science students, faculty, and industry leaders to solve real-world challenges facing the industry.”
Harrison Jobe, a tech fanatic who worked at National Public Radio and the New York Times before starting at Johnson, is looking forward to doing everything he couldn’t do before school. “Business school is a rare opportunity to get out of one’s comfort zone later in life — success will mean discovering new passions, traveling the globe, and making life-long friendships with incredibly smart and interesting people that I might not have otherwise encountered.”
While Tucker ultimately dreams of landing a dream job in product management, she ultimately has a bigger goal in mind. “I hope that after graduation I will be a Johnson “success story”: a powerful alumni resource for Johnson students and an aide to the admissions team throughout the recruitment process.”
To read profiles of incoming Johnson students — along with their advice on tackling the GMAT, applications, and interviews — click on the links below.
DON’T MISS: THE PIONEERING MBAs OF THE CLASS OF 2019 OR MEET CORNELL JOHNSON’S MBA CLASS OF 2018
| Student | Employer | Alma Mater | Employer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shannon Boyle | Vernon, VT | Fordham University | U.S. Army |
| Shawn Driver | Arlington, VA | Virginia Military Institute | U.S. Army |
| Barbara Demetrio Salgado | Sao Paulo, Brazil | Universidade de Sao Paulo | Itau Unibanco S.A. |
| Dave Elman | Rochester, NY | Cornell University | Ernst & Young |
| Ogbemi Ekwejunor-Etchie | Alameda, CA | University of Pennsylvania | Corning, Inc. |
| Peter Ferrara | Washington, DC | Lafayette College | J.P. Morgan |
| Harrison Jobe | Greensboro, NC | University of North Carolina | New York Times |
| Christine Mbaye Muchemu | Nairobi, Kenya | Queen’s University | Bruce Power |
| Lindsey Staley | Ithaca, NY | Barnard College of Columbia University | Mercer |
| Gina Tucker | Los Angeles, CA | UCLA | Scoop.it |
| Alexei Viarruel | St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago | University of West Indies | RBC Asset Management |
| Symone Williams | Boston, MA | Barnard College of Columbia University | Teach For America |
Shannon Boyle
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Prudent, risk taking, family-minded, dog-loving, wife and soon-to-be mother, hoping to lead by ethical example.
Hometown: Vernon, VT
Fun Fact About Yourself: I have one attached earlobe and one detached earlobe. I apparently inherited this from my Nana (my mom’s mom) but didn’t notice until I went to get my ears pierced when I was 10.
Undergraduate School and Major: Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business, Accounting
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
US Army
Captain, Financial Management Support Detachment Commander
Brigade Budget Officer
Assistant Operations Officer
Battle Captain
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Officer
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Personally, completing a successful command and caring for the soldiers under my charge through a deploy-in-place mission was my biggest accomplishment. But as I reflect on a moment that may have had a larger impact overall, that came about during a past deployment. I discovered that an annual multinational emergency response exercise did not include women. Given the cultural norms in the area, the exercise chose to “represent” female participation by having men dress as women. By engaging with local peers, I leveraged an opportunity to integrate a team of female emergency response personnel for the first time, improving the participants’ ability to respond effectively.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Try to get a good feel for the atmosphere of the program to which you are applying prior to the interview. One reason I feel I was successful in my interview was that I could provide genuine answers to the “why” types of questions and facilitate a more conversation-based interview (with a second-year MBA student).
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The community at Johnson was the key factor in deciding which program I wanted to pursue my full-time MBA. The first time I visited Johnson was during a summer break, and I learned about the program structure. I saw all the beautiful buildings and surrounding area, and I dined at some of the delicious restaurants. I thought Johnson was great, but I wasn’t sure it was where I wanted to attend. I returned for a second visit once the students and faculty were back on campus. Their presence made the experience an unforgettable one — they both supported and challenged each other, and that relationship seemed tangible as I moved from the atrium for coffee to a class, to a Sage Social. Even though I was just a visitor, I felt immediately swept up into the community and could not picture a more perfect fit for me as I transitioned into my next chapter.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Success to me after my first year of business school is defined by four factors: personal growth, social growth, academic and skill development, and professional progress. For personal growth, I hope to push myself beyond my comfort zone and take advantage of unique opportunities the Ithaca area offers. Social growth is determined by my relationships with classmates and faculty, learning from them and hopefully contributing to their success. Academic and skill development has a more concrete definition of success for me in that I want to refine my soft skills into a more corporate context, as well as taking advantage of the Semester in Strategic Operations immersion. Professional progress for me is defined as having an opportunity to intern at a company in a position that leverages my preexisting and newly acquired skills as well as continues to push personal growth.
Barbara Demetrio Salgado
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am a happy and flexible person who appreciates learning from experiences and overcoming challenges.
Hometown: Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Fun Fact About Yourself: During my first hiking trip, I was concerned about my backpack weight and only packed canned tuna to eat. I ate so much tuna for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that I never ate canned tuna again from that day on.
Undergraduate School and Major:
Fundacao Getulio Vargas (FGV), Master in Finance
Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Business Administration
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Itau Unibanco S.A., Senior Analyst
Itau Unibanco S.A., Analyst
Itau Unibanco S.A., Junior Analyst
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: After some time in my position, I became a role model and a go-to person in my department. Because of that (and because of my deliverables), I was recognized by the bank as a top-performing employee and was one of the very few in my department selected for a merit-based scholarship for a master in finance.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? First, I would recommend starting early to allow yourself some time to reflect on what you expect to get from the MBA experience and what you intend to achieve in the next two, five, or 10 years. Second, it’s essential to think about the school: where do you want to be and which one can help you most to achieve your goals. Visiting the schools and getting in touch with students, alumni, and staff will help you to figure that out and make a wiser decision.
Finally, enjoy the process. It’s a long journey, but you end up stronger and more aware of yourself and your aspirations. In addition, receiving the school offer is a great reward.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The key factor was Johnson’s close-knit and collaborative community that made me feel part of it since my first school visit — and I made three. Also, Johnson’s strength in the financial industry is evident, with a unique and intense immersion program that will prepare me to succeed in my post-MBA career.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? After the first year of business school, success for me would be having been able to develop myself by learning the new skills required for my next career step, forging new lifetime friendships, and finally culminating in a great internship experience with a full-time return offer!
Shawn Driver
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Proud veteran, husband, and father with an insatiable desire to learn and experience life.
Hometown: Arlington, VA
Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to travel. I’ve visited 24 foreign countries and spent one quarter of my life living abroad.
Undergraduate School and Major: Virginia Military Institute, BA International Studies
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
US Army
101st Combat Aviation Brigade: Blackhawk Helicopter Platoon Leader
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR): Blackhawk (DAP) Helicopter Platoon Leader
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade: Blackhawk Helicopter Company Commander
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR): Assistant Operations Officer
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a Company Commander, I deployed an organization of over 60 soldiers and ten helicopters to Europe for nine months in an effort to strengthen NATO alliances. The first rotation of its kind, my unit was based in Romania and conducted training all over Europe. The major challenge I faced was planning and executing a high volume of missions from Romania while my immediate supervisor ran the headquarters in Germany. As a result, the responsibility to network, develop and execute training with surrounding units resided heavily on me and my small leadership group. I was fortunate to have an incredible team and recent Special Operations training, which I drew from throughout the deployment.
Over the course of nine months, we flew over 1000 hours and conducted training that ranged from flights over the Black Sea with the U.S. Navy to the first flight of a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter into Ukraine. I’m extremely proud of the fact that we accomplished what we did without a single accident or injury, but I’m most proud of the opportunity I had to develop soldiers. In fact, two of my former pilots ended up passing the rigorous selection process to join the 160th SOAR — an accomplishment for which I’d like to think I helped them prepare.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Be authentic. The MBA application process is designed in part to learn about yourself by reflecting on your past experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. In order to effectively connect the dots and think about the next step in your career, you have to be authentic. If you’re not, it will come through in every aspect of the application.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? There’s a video titled “Glorious to View” in which Cornell is referred to as “elite but egalitarian.” That couldn’t be truer at Johnson. From the first conversation I had with a student and every encounter since, I’ve found that this is a place where grounded individuals come for academic excellence and personal growth.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? I’m passionate about aviation, travel and leadership and hope to continue applying what I’ve learned from the Army and Cornell in an internship program within the airline industry. Looking back a year from now, I hope to have made strong bonds with my classmates, challenged myself in new and exciting ways and completed a successful internship.
Dave Elman
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Innately curious, adventurous, and down-to-earth. Car aficionado, fitness guru, and ethnic food enthusiast.
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a self-taught didgeridoo player; I became fascinated with the instrument after staying in an aboriginal village in northern Australia.
Undergraduate School and Major: Cornell University, Applied Economics & Management
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Ernst & Young (New York), Performance Improvement, Senior Consultant/Manager
Anchorage Capital Group (New York), Fund Accountant
Ernst & Young (New York), Assurance, Staff/Senior Associate
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a consultant, I managed and collaborated with diverse teams to diagnose and solve critical business issues related to strategy, technology, and operations for financial services clients. However, the positive impact I made to advance diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) at EY has been my most rewarding professional accomplishment.
Two years ago, I was selected to lead an initiative to accelerate execution of the firm’s D&I strategy. My team facilitated workshops with leaders and team members across the firm, designed and executed pilot programs to support leadership development and recognition, and leveraged the feedback to develop a path forward for executives. I presented our recommendations to the D&I Executive Steering Committee, and they not only endorsed our recommendations, but also allocated full-time resources to help us implement them. It was (and still is) exciting to see our efforts come to fruition, and I am proud to have played a role in earning EY’s top ranking for diversity and inclusiveness.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Reflect deeply and honestly on your personality, values, and goals throughout the entire admissions process. Rankings are certainly relevant (up to a point) and blogs are helpful resources, but it is easy to overanalyze hearsay and veer from what your gut tells you. This advice may be cliché, but the best way to gain an authentic feel for a school is to engage directly with current students, alumni, and faculty. Schedule informational interviews and coffee chats, reach out to alumni (the responses you receive are important signals), and visit campus. The time, effort, and expenses are well worth it!
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Community. Finding the right community “fit” is critical, as it shapes every aspect of the business school experience (and beyond). From the beginning, I knew that I wanted to be fully immersed in a smaller, tight-knit community outside of a major city. I will admit, however, that I was initially skeptical about returning to my undergraduate alma mater for business school.
My campus visit to Johnson for my interview was a key turning point for me. I was invigorated by the energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness of the environment at the weekly Sage Social. I was also struck by the depth of my conversations with current students and faculty — everyone with whom I interacted seemed to be truly interested in my story, motivations, and goals.
One particularly remarkable gesture came a few days after my campus visit from a professor with whom I spoke for about five minutes during a networking reception. Unprompted, she facilitated introductions to four alumni in my target industry, and all of them responded within 24 hours and were happy to share their experiences. These alumni also introduced me to others in their network — I received enthusiastic responses from all of them. These connections were formed before I even received acceptance into the program.
My interactions during the admissions process assuaged my hesitations and solidified my view that Johnson is a warm and welcoming community of ambitious, engaged, interesting, and accomplished individuals. My decision became a no-brainer.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Following through on my commitments to continuously develop as a leader, pursue my passions, and enrich the Cornell community. For example, I have a keen interest in shaping the future of transportation, and I am working to connect and leverage the incredible talent available at Cornell to create impact in this space. Most people do not think of Ithaca as a hub for transportation innovation, but students and faculty are performing fascinating research — across multiple disciplines — that has the potential to change the world. One of my goals this year is to establish the infrastructure for MBA students to formally collaborate with engineering and computer science students, faculty, and industry leaders to solve real-world challenges facing the industry.
Ogbemi Ekwejunor-Etchie
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Constantly seeking out opportunities to put myself in growth environments and evolving from them.
Hometown: Alameda, CA, and Lagos, Nigeria
Fun Fact About Yourself: I travel like Anthony Bourdain. My most rewarding experiences, have been the most unscripted.
Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pennsylvania, Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Corning Incorporated, Mechanical Engineer
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In 2013, my company completed the full acquisition of another company based in South Korea. It was made clear that a rapid and successful integration of the acquisition was critical to strengthening our core capabilities and revenue growth. I was among those selected to lead the integration with a team of Korean and American engineers and technicians in the development of a process for a new innovative product line in Korea. This opportunity to lead a cross-functional team of foreign engineers was not only professionally intimidating but also personally formidable. I not only overcame the technical challenges of creating new processes in a dynamic environment, but also overcame the language and cultural barriers.
My expatriate assignment required resilience and determination, which I drew upon from previous experiences in my life. In order to galvanize the team to our common objectives, I had to use every experience up to then on cross-cultural team building and negotiation.
I resolved to delve into Korean culture as much as I could. I found that the easiest way to learn about the culture was through cuisine. Through the stories that accompanied each dish, I gained a deeper understanding of the perspectives my colleagues held. From the experiences of sampling homemade kim-chi to sannakji (live octopus), I leveled cultural barriers and showed that I was willing to do whatever it took to forge strong relationships, which was then reflected in our future interactions on the floor and in meetings. I believe this seemingly unimportant mindset, creating a dynamic team atmosphere, and investing time to understand the culture contributed to the successful completion of the objectives of executing our strategy.
Though we were successful in delivering and solving the technical challenges of this new line, acquiring patents and other intellectual property along the way, I believe that the true accomplishment was measured by the successful integration of the team and the strength of our friendships. To this day, I am still in frequent contact with my friends in Asan, South Korea.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? My advice would be to accept the things that make you different. This is much easier to do with positive attributes, but sometimes negative experiences can be the differentiator. What separates applicants are the experiences they have and how they use negative experiences as opportunities to learn and grow. Do you run away from difficult situations or do you embrace them? Being able to show that you are not afraid to take on challenges and succeed or learn something from your failures is critical in telling your story. Make sure to reflect on your stories — do not be afraid to leverage a powerful learning experience even though the outcome may not have led to all-around successes.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? One key factor in my decision was the immersion programs. The opportunity to directly apply classroom knowledge to real-time problems and get hands-on experience in my chosen field appealed to me — being able to walk into an internship already possessing the skills needed to do the job.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Success after my first year would be the satisfaction of personal and professional growth in my leadership capability. Success will be cultivating a network of leaders and peers across industries as I continue to tackle opportunities ahead.
Peter Ferrara
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: “I am grateful for everyone who has supported me.”
Hometown: Washington, DC
Fun Fact About Yourself: I have sung karaoke in five different continents.
Undergraduate School and Major:
University of Cambridge, Judge Business School, Master of Finance;
Lafayette College, Economics & Political Science, NCAA D1 Varsity Baseball
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Council of Economic Advisers, Research Assistant
J.P. Morgan, Corporate Banking Analyst
J.P. Morgan, Private Banking Analyst
J.P. Morgan, Prime Brokerage Summer Analyst
U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan, Summer Intern
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as the only Cornell Johnson MBA candidate for the class of 2019 to gain membership to the Robert Toigo Foundation. I am looking forward to lifetime involvement in the organization, which aims to foster increased diversity in leadership within financial services.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Besides obvious advice such as prepare for the GMAT well in advance, apply in round 1 if ready, articulate strengths of candidacy in interviews, etc., highlighting unique leadership attributes is increasingly important. Business schools are not only seeking the best and brightest minds, but also team-oriented individuals who can develop into future global business leaders. Therefore, applicants who can display unique leadership qualities will surely differentiate themselves in the admissions process.
In addition, I highly recommend candidates from diverse backgrounds apply to the Management Leadership for Tomorrow MBA Prep program (MLT). The program not only facilitates business school admissions success but also provides a vast network of high-achieving future leaders across business schools.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? In college, I thrived in a tight-knit collaborative community. I felt a strong connection with Cornell as it exhibited many of the same qualities, thereby positioning me for success academically, socially, and professionally.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Success would involve building the foundation of life-long friendships with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and beliefs.
Harrison Jobe
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Tech fanatic and public radio enthusiast interested in all things media and politics.
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Fun Fact About Yourself: I share a birthday with Beyoncé.
Undergraduate School and Major: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA Political Science
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
The New York Times, News Service and Syndication Manager, U.S. & Canada
NPR (National Public Radio), National Representative, Corporate Sponsorship
NPR, Marketing Associate, Corporate Sponsorship
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Negotiating a six-figure sponsorship package to support NPR news and entertainment programming from a major beverage company. The deal included several live music activations in collaboration with NPR Music and messaging on NPR’s podcast, digital, and video platforms.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? It can be confusing and riddled with conflicting opinions from various sources. Take the time to meaningfully reflect on what matters most to you and trust your instinct. When brainstorming and writing essays, you will begin to rediscover your history. Take comfort in who you are and what got you to this point. Try to enjoy this part of the process — it’s a privilege to do the type of self-reflection that a competitive application requires.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The strong sense of community I felt during the application process was a key factor in my decision to attend Cornell. Looking back at my own history — from elementary school to NPR — I perform best in these types of collaborative and supportive environments, so it was a natural fit.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Very simply, success will mean living a more fulfilling life. Certainly, from a professional perspective, I hope to have a clear career path after a successful summer internship. But on a greater scale, business school is a rare opportunity to get out of one’s comfort zone later in life — success will mean discovering new passions, traveling the globe, and making lifelong friendships with incredibly smart and interesting people that I might not have otherwise encountered.
Christine Mbaye Muchemu
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am a proud Kenyan and Canadian citizen who is passionate about empowering women.
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya, and Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to run. I have run two half marathons, two marathons, one trail marathon on the Bruce Peninsula (which was really an ultra-marathon due to the challenge of the terrain), and a 50K trail race called Vulture Bait, in which I placed second overall female.
Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Science, Engineering Chemistry with Professional Internship
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Bruce Power Nuclear L.P.
Aug 2014 to June 2017, Engineer in Training, Corrosion Analyst and Inspections Project Manager
Sept 2009 to July 2014, Field Operations, Nuclear Operator
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career so far has been in leading highly skilled individuals toward the completion of major projects that were targeted at improving equipment reliability in the nuclear industry. This was a challenging endeavor as I was often the only woman on the team and had less industry experience than others on the team. It was only by both being comfortable with being “uncomfortable” and by admitting when I did not know something that I was able to effectively lead and gain the respect of all the team members.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? I would advise anyone considering applying to business school to spend some time reflecting and figuring out why they are applying to business school and what they want out of it. Passing the GMAT, writing the application essays, gathering the recommendations, or excelling in the interview — I consider these the mechanics of the application process that can be mastered by anyone. However, having a true sense of purpose is much harder and arguably more important.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The Johnson full-time MBA is like no other in that it allows me to truly make the two-year MBA experience my own. There are numerous opportunities to explore and dive deep into areas that I am most interested in. This is important to me because it will allow me to expound on and try out ideas that I have in a safe space, thereby leading to both a richer learning experience and to a career that I can truly be passionate about.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? In my first week at Johnson, I received training on how to set goals and the tools and frameworks that I need to apply to implement these goals. Therefore, success to me would be to achieve these goals, which I have broken down into first-year and second-year goals. In addition, I would consider myself a success if I have built true and meaningful networks both at Johnson and the greater Cornell University community.
Lindsey Staley
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: My perfect day includes my Labrador, barre class, country music, and preventing non-optimal financial decisions.
Hometown: Ithaca, NY (yes, same Ithaca!)
Fun Fact About Yourself: Before finishing my undergraduate degree, I was a professional ballet dancer with Nashville Ballet 2.
Undergraduate School and Major: Barnard College of Columbia University, Economics
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Mercer
Investment Consulting, Analyst (2013–2015)
Investment Consulting, Associate (2015–2016)
Defined Contribution & Financial Wellness Research, Associate (2016–2017)
Defined Contribution & Financial Wellness Research, Senior Associate (2017)
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Just before coming to Johnson, I was invited to give a ten-minute “Lightening Talk” on fintech at Mercer’s Global Investment Forum. There were nearly 400 people in the audience, including clients, asset managers, and senior leaders at Mercer. While preparing was a significant undertaking over several months (no prompts or note cards), ultimately it was exhilarating to present to such a large audience on such a complex and fascinating topic.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? As soon as you know that you want to pursue an MBA, start saving and investing in a 529 college savings plan. People often think these plans are just for undergraduate education, but they can be used for graduate school as well. In many states, there are also significant tax advantages to investing in this kind of plan. Even if you do not end up going to business school, you can always keep the funds for your children or transfer them to another friend or family member.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The tight-knit community was a key factor in my decision to attend Johnson. I not only wanted to build my professional network during my two years in school, but I also wanted to develop lifelong friendships. Though we have only been in class for a few weeks, I can already tell that is definitely achievable at Johnson.
I believe that Johnson’s small class size and “non-urban” location foster this type of supportive environment. Going to college in NYC, I sometimes felt disconnected from the on-campus community because there was so much to do off campus. I knew that I wanted a different experience for my MBA and that Johnson could undoubtedly provide that. (That said, it also helps that my partner is a member of our class and that Ithaca is my hometown!)
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Honing my leadership skills is an important goal that I have for my time at Johnson. Therefore, success after my first year would be progress toward this goal. In particular, I would like to hold a significant leadership position in a student organization (my classmate and I are currently discussing co-founding a Johnson Fintech club) and leverage my experience and network to help my classmates who are recruiting for asset management.
Gina Tucker
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A Californian techie fascinated by consumer psychology and obsessed with climbing mountains and traveling.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Fun Fact About Yourself: I was one of the children singing in the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song!
Undergraduate School and Major: UCLA, Psychology
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Oracle, Sales Development Representative
Scoop.it, Sales Development Manager
Scoop.it, Sales Account Executive
Scoop.it, Customer Success Manager
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I authored an extensive knowledgebase for the newest product line at Scoop.it, the content director marketing software. The knowledgebase included dozens of training videos and thorough written guides to both the product and general best practices in content marketing.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Use the employment reports! The easiest way to narrow down your list of schools is to look at where their graduates get hired. Make sure you are applying to schools that have a great track record of recruiting for the roles and companies you’re targeting. Otherwise, recruitment could be an uphill battle.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I chose Johnson because of its immersion-focused curriculum, support for women in business, and impressive employment stats in marketing. The immersions allow students to gain hands-on exposure to the roles they’ll have in their summer internships, giving us a leg up on some of our peers from other schools. Women are still a minority at many MBA programs, and Johnson provides every resource to foster female empowerment and friendship. Additionally, Johnson’s marketing alumni have a strong presence in many of the companies I am hoping to target for internships and full-time roles.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Aside from landing my dream job in brand or product management, I hope that after graduation I will be a Johnson “success story”: a powerful alumni resource for Johnson students and an aide to the admissions team throughout the recruitment process. I also hope to have a huge network of friends and colleagues across the globe.
Alexei Viarruel
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: An ambitious optimist with eyes set on the future.
Hometown: St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago
Fun Fact About Yourself: I am obsessed with being physically active, so I have run several long-distance races, triathlons, and adventure races and will play basically any sport involving a ball.
Undergraduate School and Major: University of the West Indies, BSc Management Studies, CFA Charterholder
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
British Petroleum, Commercial Analyst, JV and Negotiations
RBC Asset Management, Senior Investment Analyst
RBC Asset Management, Risk Analyst
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My home country relies heavily on hydrocarbons with BP being the biggest producer on the island. Naturally, many of its projects take on national importance and none more so than the last one I worked on, which required unprecedented cooperation and intense negotiation among oil majors across the value chain. I was faced with some of the most challenging modeling and scenario analysis of my career but, fortunately, we were able to come together to develop creative solutions that worked for all parties involved. In the end, we saved jobs and helped to soften an already deep economic decline caused by low oil prices.
The accomplishment that I am most proud of, however, is my contribution to a white paper outlining how we as a country can move away from oil and gas dependence through the skillful maximization of our renewable energy resources. The presentations we gave to various arms of government were very encouraging, and I hope that this foundational work moves us in the right direction.
Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? I would say be sure to take the time up front to truly reflect on your life and the direction in which you want to take it. Having a clear picture in your mind of what you want to achieve, and how business school gets you closer to that, pays huge dividends when you begin drafting essays. It will also help you decide which school you want to go to (beyond what the rankings might dictate) as each program has its unique strengths.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Johnson has a unique competency among business schools in sustainability education, and that’s why I chose them. I already had a strong academic grounding in finance, and I wanted a program that would broaden my skill set. In contrast to the more nonprofit mindset that most programs have, at Johnson the focus is on “developing competitive, profitable solutions built on rigorous business analysis of social and environmental sustainability challenges.”
I really view these challenges around sustainability as core to being successful in business in the future. As my career progressed I found myself more and more interested in how I could apply my skills to address some of these issues. Being a “finance guy,” Johnson’s results-oriented and practical approach appealed to me, and I felt an immediate draw to the program. Not only could Johnson strength my finance core, but it could enlighten me in areas that are, in my opinion, critical to any career.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? After my first year, I hope to have a much stronger grasp of the most impactful role I can play in shaping the way business is done in the future. I also hope to have formed strong bonds with my classmates and keep the Johnson culture of collaboration and camaraderie alive!
Symone Williams
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
Describe yourself in 15 words or less: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Muhammad Ali
Hometown: Boston, MA
Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve swum with sharks in South Africa, bathed elephants in India, and held pythons in Peru, but I’ve had a deep-seated fear of geese since the age of 5.
Undergraduate School and Major: Barnard College, Columbia University, major in Urban Studies, concentration Political Science, minor in Women Studies
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Teach For America, Social Studies Teacher
Senator Mike Johnston Urban Leaders Fellowship, Fellow
Bridgewater Associates, Employee Services Coordinator
Teach For America, Recruitment Manager
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Learning how to “fail well” in uniquely challenging environments is a skill I’m especially proud of. For many high-achieving professionals, failure is something we struggle with tremendously. However, learning how to embrace failure as a powerful learning experience is the defining factor between successful individuals and extraordinarily successful individuals.
Throughout my time with Teach For America, I found that educating hundreds of students facing an array of socioeconomic barriers was by far one of the most difficult challenges, and similarly that recruiting a diverse cohort of exceptionally talented, socially conscious, and driven students to take on the challenge of urban education was at times equally as challenging. However, my ability to quickly identify missteps, learn from them, and drive innovative solutions based on these lessons allowed for superior outcomes, including ensuring my students’ academic and personal success, and investing one of the most diverse cohorts of college students in joining Teach For America and the movement for educational equity.
Looking back on your experience, what’s one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Start early and remain consistent. The business school process is arduous and will require a tremendous amount from you financially, mentally, emotionally, and physically (it will take a toll on you!). Nonetheless, it is undoubtedly worth it once you cross the finish line. Make sure to stay true to yourself and take stock of what is important to you along the way as well. Don’t get too hung up on the rankings, but focus on the best school for you. Lastly, remember the importance of fit — ask yourself if you’ll be happy at a particular school and will you be able to get your dream job afterwards. Don’t lose sight of why you’re doing this, and again — start early and remain consistent.
What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Being surrounded by genuine and supportive people has consistently been the defining factor in shaping my personal and professional development. If it wasn’t for the amazing colleagues I’ve had who’ve turned into family, I most likely wouldn’t be here today. Consequently, throughout my MBA process I was clear that being surrounded by extraordinarily talented and genuine people was significantly important to me, and I found this to be overwhelmingly true at Johnson. Before stepping onto campus, I had spoken to numerous students and alumni who managed to carve out multiple occasions to chat with me. Each individual I connected with remained in contact through every stage of the MBA process. This sense of community from mere strangers was a huge defining factor in my decision to attend Johnson.
I also found that the strength of Johnson’s sustainability program was unparalleled. From the notable alumni to class offerings and professional development resources, I was blown away by the support students who are passionate about leveraging their business education for social good received. I was particularly struck by Johnson’s Sustainable Global Enterprise immersion program where students spent a semester working closely with well-known companies on their sustainability initiatives. I found this kind of opportunity invaluable to my career development.
What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Success after my first year of business school would include attaining a strong quantitative analysis skill set that I’m able to leverage in my summer internship. It also requires me to continue developing my ability to lead diverse teams through challenging situations, and to build relationships with every one of my classmates (this is possible when your class is 277 people!).
Related Stories In Our Meet The Class of 2019 Series:
The Pioneering MBAs In The Class of 2019
Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business
Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Management
University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business
Notre Dame University Mendoza College of Business
UC-Berkeley’s Haas School of Business
New York University Stern School of Business
University of Texas-Austin McCombs School of Business
University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business
MIT Sloan School of Management
University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business
Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Emory University’s Goizueta Business School
Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business
Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business
University of Washington’s Foster School of Business
University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management
University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flager Business School
Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business
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1 comment:
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