The ExecMBA Podcast

During this episode, we continue our spotlight on learning through the case method with a conversation with three first year students from our Part-Time MBA Class of 2025 - Zoe Chan, Aman Dar and Zach Gore. In this conversation, Zoe, Aman and Zach reflect upon their MBA journeys, what they enjoy about learning through the case method, what it’s like to participate in a case discussion, how they prepare for class, the impact of their Darden experience and more.

Have you ever wondered how a Darden case comes together? In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Gerry Yemen. Gerry is Senior Research and Executive Director of the Darden Case Writing Research Group at the Darden School of Business, and she has interviewed protagonists and written or co-authored over 400 cases, teaching notes and technical notes featuring leading business executives nationally and internationally since joining Darden in 1998. In this wide-ranging conversation, Gerry discusses her background, what led her to Darden, how a case is developed, what it’s like to see a case you’ve written discussed in class and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Hayden Wilson. Hayden is a first year student in UVA Darden’s Executive MBA Class of 2024, and in this wide ranging conversation, Hayden reflects upon his decision to pursue an MBA, adjusting to life as an Executive MBA student, the role his Learning Team has played in his learning experience, his favorite memory from the program so far and more. Hayden is also a member of the Executive MBA Running Club, and, as you will learn from this podcast, a Tom Petty fan.

In this episode of the podcast, we’re excited to share the audio from a recent webinar all about UVA Darden’s relaunched PhD program. During this conversation, Professor Michael Lenox, Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy Officer, and Christian West, Senior Director of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Recruiting explore the structure and design of the PhD program. Additional topics include research resources for PhD students, admissions insights, and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Joy Weber. Joy is a second year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2023, and she is also a lawyer by training. We talk with Joy about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, her efforts to promote wellness and build connection within her class and more. Joy also discusses her global residency in Morocco.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Michael Thorne-Begland. Michael is a first year student in UVA Darden’s Executive MBA Class of 2024, and he is Vice President, Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer at Altria Client Services. We talk with Michael about his decision to pursue and MBA, what led him to his current role at Altria, the impact of his Darden experience so far, his advice for prospective students and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Amy Jackson. Amy is a second year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2023, and she recently began a new role as Chief Early Learning Strategy Officer at Primrose Schools, a national system of accredited private preschools that provides premier early education and child care experience for children and families. During this conversation, Amy reflects upon her MBA journey, what led her to Darden, how Darden has helped her navigate her new role and more.

During this episode, we catch up with Erika Keough. Erika is a second year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2023, and we recently connected with her to talk about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, what she loves about her classmates, as well as how the program pushed her to explore an entrepreneurial path. Erika also discusses her new venture, Le Breton Group, a people and talent advisory and consulting services for Early Stage to Series B startups.  

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Billy Hughes. Billy is a GEMBA format graduate in our Executive MBA Class of 2020, and he is currently an AVP for Anti-Corruption and Third-Party Risk Management for Victoria’s Secret. We recorded this episode in Spring 2022 when we first saw Billy’s job update on LinkedIn, and during this wide-ranging conversation, Billy discusses his MBA journey, his passion for ethics and compliance, how the GEMBA format has helped him in his work with Victoria’s Secret and more.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Peter Debaere. Debaere is a member of the Global Economies and Markets faculty at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and he is an international economist with a focus on international trade, multinationals and trade policy. He is also a water expert. In this conversation, we talk with Debaere about his interest in Economics, what led him to Darden as well as his elective courses – The Economics of Water and Managing International Trade and Investment. He also discusses, To America and Back Again¸ the new book he co-wrote his brother about their grandmother’s exceptional life.