The ExecMBA Podcast

Will Payne (Class of 2022) focuses on bringing business opportunity to Southwest Virginia. Will has deep roots in politics, and we discuss the steps that brought him to pursue an MBA, what he loves about his current work in economic development and how Darden has offered him an opportunity to be the student he always wanted to be. We also talk about Appalachian Grains, his craft grain business that has supplies grains to distilleries and breweries across the Commonwealth, including Charlottesville’s own Three Notch’d Brewery.

First year Executive MBA student Jemuir Rivers (Class of 2022) is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a test pilot in the United States Navy. In this podcast, we talk with Rivers about his decision to pursue an MBA, how classes are going so far, the important role his Learning Team has played in these first few quarters and what he believes really matters in an MBA program. Spoiler alert: It’s about more than just numbers.

Executive MBA students Catriona Stadtler-Ayer (Class of 2022) and Sean Taylor (Class of 2022) are card-carrying members of the “full plate club,” as parents, pet owners, working professionals and now leaders of the Executive Student Association (ESA). We connected with Catriona and Sean to discuss what led them to Darden for an MBA and what the ESA hopes to accomplish in the months ahead.  

We caught up with Director of Venture Programs for the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (and friend of our Admissions podcasts) Jason Brewster to talk about the current state of the venturing at Darden. He also shares insights about effectuation, resources available to Darden student entrepreneurs and reading recommendations for aspiring venturers.

Prior to Darden, First Year Sarah Lihan (Class of 2022) competed in the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and she has spent her professional career thinking about mobility for companies like Lyft and Spin. We recently connected with Sarah via Zoom to talk about her MBA journey and how things are going in the program so far.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we’re pleased to share our recent Office Hours conversation with Darden Professor Rich Evans. We talk with Evans about his background, what led him to Darden, what he enjoys about teaching Finance through the case method and more. We also find time to hear Evans’ thoughts about a number of Finance-related “hot topics” – SPACs, GameStop, Bitcoin and the current state of the U.S. stock market.

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Connie Dunlop, Executive Director for Professional Advancement at the Darden School. Connie leads a Quarter 1 course in UVA Darden’s Executive MBA Program – the Professional Advancement Course (PAC) – and we recently connected with her via Zoom to talk about her career advancement-related PhD dissertation.

In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Caroline Darney. Caroline is a first year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2022, and we recently connected with her via Zoom to talk more about her background, how she decided to pursue an MBA and how things are going in the program so far. We even found time to talk a little UVA men’s basketball (after all, March Madness is right around the corner).

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Perry Kaneriya. Perry is a first year student in our Executive MBA Class of 2022, and he is also a radiologist. We recently connected with Perry via Zoom to talk about his background, his decision to pursue an MBA, how he chose a general management MBA and how things are going in the program as he and his classmates wrap up Quarter 3.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Emily McMahan. Emily is a member of our Executive MBA Class of 2010, and she recently co-founded and launched an investment group for U.S. Service Academy graduates, the Academy Investor Network. We recently connected with Emily via Zoom to talk with about her background, what led her to Darden and how her Darden experience has shaped and influenced her career.