Success Stories
These students and alumnae are paving the way to success and inclusion for future generations of women worldwide.
Big Enough Dreams
As busy a soccer mom as she is an executive, Wambui Waiganjo (EMBA ’20) rolls up her sleeves to reshape her career
Social Responsibility — with Interest
A commitment to affordable housing and wealth-building in minority communities led Natalie Hunter (’20) to earn an MBA
Changing of the Guard
Juggling business school and weekends in the California Army National Guard, Rhian Rogan (’20) considers a career in academe
Innovative Health Care Solutions Delivered
With a head for business, Patricia Mathelier (MBA/M.D. ’20) imagines mobile medical services for people of limited means
Many Ways to Lead
U.S. Navy Veteran Alice Hong (’22) broadens her skills as a fully employed MBA and consultant
From The Blog
A STEM Path Led Her from Rocket City Space Camp to President of American Girl
At American Girl, Katy Parker Dickson (’92) shoots the moon
In the News
Alumna Graces Cover of Forbes México
One of Forbes México's 30 Under 30, Liza Schvartzman ('16), second from left, founded Fitpass Mexico, which offers unlimited access to thousands of fitness classes in Mexico
From the Blog
In Diversity, a Unified Force
With one childhood ambition accomplished, U.S. Air Force intelligence officer Diana Perez (’20) is on a mission to fulfill the next one
From The Blog
The App That Demystifies 21st-Century College Saving
UCLA Anderson FEMBA alumna Ksenia Yudina (’14) may be the only finance expert in the U.S. cracking the 529 code for regular people
A Diversity of Options
Alumna Patrice Greenwood-Eitner (’04) helps first-generation college students reach the top rung
From The Blog
A B-School Latina On Being the Bridge
Amanda Sol Peralta ('20) reflects on putting her Chilean identity (among others) front and center
From The Blog
Openness Sets UCLA Anderson Apart
This is my #WhyAnderson ― the Class of 2019.
In the News
Say Hi to Class of 2020's Amanda Sol Peralta
Amanda brings unique insights at the intersection of engagement and pop culture to UCLA Anderson.
Relive the Highlights of Velocity 2020
January 31, 2020 was a day of inspiration, empowerment, warmth, laughter, cheers and sharing from an enthusiastic crowd gathered for UCLA Anderson’s 2020 Velocity Women’s Leadership Summit, presented by the Women’s Business Connection and Anderson Women.
Community
Our work effects positive change on campus and around the globe.
From The Blog
ECHO: Engaged, Courageous, Humble, Open
Creating a climate for greater equity, diversity and inclusion at UCLA Anderson
Martine Rothblatt
(B.A. ’77, MBA/J.D. ’81)
UCLA awarded Anderson alumna Martine Rothblatt its highest honor, the UCLA Medal
Jessica Kimball ('15)
Jessica Kimball went from graduation to head of global diversity at Mattel in two short years
QA
Heather Felix Returns to Lead Easton Technology Center
Alumna plans focus on leadership for students aiming for tech careers
From Custom to Customizable: When Family Businesses Evolve with L&L's Elisia Flores
Nike Irvin (’89) is building a model for U.S. truth and reconciliation based on those that have succeeded internationally
GIRLSCHOOL entrepreneur Anna Bulbrook joined Anderson’s Impactathon and pitched her way to first place
Cynthy Moffatt (’88) and Beth Friedman (’87) inspired an initiative to help fellow alumnae re-enter the workforce
5 Questions With
-
Read the AnswersConnie Knight (’98)
Head of Multicultural Content Partnerships, YouTube
Connie Knight (’98)
Head of Multicultural Content Partnerships, YouTube
I manage content partnership strategy and licensing negotiation for the distribution and monetization of video content based on ad-supported and subscription revenue models.
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
Getting up every day to do something that I’m passionate about, that inspires me, and I can see where my efforts have contributed to changing the world in some way. Fortunately, I get to do that every day at YouTube.
What is the most important class we should be teaching our students today?
I think it’s personal finance. I was surprised that although I was a finance major, I had never been exposed to best practices for managing my own finances. I knew how to make the stock market work for a corporation but I was very uncomfortable and uncertain about what I needed to do to make it work for myself. To my knowledge, business schools don’t teach you that. Also, students need to be up to date with their technical skills —I think that’s a given today.
What three things did you learn at Anderson that have been most helpful to you in your career?
The most important one is to step out of my comfort zone, which is always a challenge for me. I’m a fairly reserved person. But in the real world, you have to involve yourself in the politics of business if you want to move ahead, you absolutely have to make yourself visible. The second is to align yourself with the business priorities of the company to advance your career. I’m very fortunate, in that I’m passionate and excited about what I do; but if I were in a company where my passion wasn’t a priority, I would have to look for another job. Third, Anderson taught me the value of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. I’m in a role that enables me to be an intrapreneur, and I’m really able to present and run with new ideas that have added value to my company and also created a sense of personal fulfillment.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Be flexible, because your career path won’t necessarily be linear — and mine certainly hasn’t been. Don’t expect that you’ll always be on an upward trajectory. You’ll have bumps in the road that require you to pivot or even take another lane. As long as you work hard, continue to move forward and remain focused, you’ll reach your goals.
What advice do you have for students or alumni who may be in situations where they are the first or only African-American making milestones in a professional role?
It’s funny you asked this question because I just achieved one recently at YouTube. The company had never had an OKR (objective and key result) around diversity in content. Our position as a democratic platform was always that the best content will rise to the surface. But I noticed that we were funneling resources to those creators who had been on the platform since the early days. In general, it wasn’t the smaller creators of color. I’ve worked with other cross-functional stakeholders to implement a companywide OKR at the highest level to ensure that the entire company took responsibility for making sure that YouTube is representative of all the users we serve. My advice is to always support your position with data. Often our viewpoint is dismissed as bias, but metrics and data will always be indisputable.
Read the AnswersAna Peña ('13)
Director of Conference Support Team, Teach for All
Ana Peña (’13)
Director, Conference Support Team, Teach For All
I’m an engineering grad and MBA with a passion for changing the world through social entrepreneurship and innovation.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
I was a career switcher and I felt that my background in engineering was limiting. It was the perfect opportunity to explore a new space and expand my background knowledge and understanding of business.
What is the most important skill that we should be teaching MBA students today?
Empathy.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don’t settle for a job that doesn’t bring you joy.
What’s one change that you’d like to see in the business or nonprofit spaces today?
I’d love to see a shift toward longer-term benefits to people, planet and profit over short-term financial gains.
Have any key lessons you’ve learned in a professional context derived from your specific background and heritage?
My biggest lesson has been that I need to take time to reflect and process. The most difficult part of being Latina in the workplace is identifying when your background — versus other aspect of your work — is what is creating tensions or opportunities. To do that well takes time and space to think through challenges.
Read the AnswersBo Cross ('16)
Operations Manager, Lyft
Lieutenant Junior Grade, U.S. Navy
Bo Cross (’16)
Operations Lead, Lyft
Lieutenant Junior Grade, U.S. Navy
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
Success is being happy with the delta between where you started and where you are now.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
After the Navy, I wanted to build a good foundation of business knowledge to tie in with my leadership experience I gained in the military. I wanted to be as confident in my business skills as I was with my people skills and my Anderson experience helped me achieve that goal. In fact, I can honestly say that, without my MBA, I wouldn’t be able to do my job. Every day I use tools that I learned in class, and it has allowed me to personally contribute to the growth of Lyft, which is really gratifying!
What is the most important class/topic/skill that we should be teaching our students today?
Every day, people are asked to make decisions in scenarios where there’s lots of data and facts that may actually be irrelevant. A skill that students today can certainly utilize is the ability to sift through this noise. Don’t be too quick to make a judgement, simply based on what you initially see or hear. Make sure you understand the scenario, the people you are interacting with, the entire picture before making a judgment at first glance.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
If you get knocked down, get back up. In the military, you are judged by the outcome, so it’s important to finish what you start, even if you encounter obstacles along the way. At Officer Candidate School I learned that, no matter how difficult things got, it was only temporary. I now know that with persistence you can push through any barrier to achieve the outcome you desire.
Tell us how your experience as a veteran helped you in your journey at UCLA Anderson.
My experience as a veteran encouraged me to be fearless when it came to challenging myself by putting myself in uncomfortable situations. During orientation week, I found other veterans and built a connection based on our common experiences. In addition to that welcome camaraderie, my military experience gave me an overall confidence to share my point of view in class, to speak in front of groups, and to stay calm during the routine homework and final exam "fire drills".
Read the AnswersTazia Middleton ('18)
Certified Financial Planner
Co-President, Black Business Students Association
Tazia Middleton ('18)
Certified Financial Planner
Co-President, Black Business Students AssociationI enjoy understanding clients’ financial needs and developing custom solutions for them. I’m looking to leverage my analytical and problem solving skills in a consulting or internal strategy role.
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
Success is when doing what you love enables you to live the life you want.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
After college, I was fortunate to work in asset management, and I learned a lot about the world of finance. That experience sparked my interest in the larger world of business. I decided to pursue an MBA as a way to broaden my knowledge base in an environment that would also allow me to grow as a leader.
What are you learning at Anderson that you think will be most helpful to you in your career?
One of my goals was to strengthen my leadership skills and learn more about my leadership style. Through my leadership involvement in the student clubs and initiatives I’m passionate about, I am learning how to manage groups of my peers while maintaining personal relationships.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
The best piece of career advice I’ve received was actually from my parents. They taught me that it’s important not to count yourself out. Show up and take a chance. You might actually surprise yourself!
What is one thing that we each can do today to begin to build an inclusive community here at Anderson?
UCLA Anderson has laid a good foundation for inclusion, with a very supportive environment for diversity in all forms. We can continue to develop the skills for all students to become allies for the underrepresented. Knowing how to effectively and proactively speak up for others, even those you don’t personally know, is a skill that I believe is necessary for the leaders of tomorrow.
-
Read the AnswersErica Dionne ('09)
VP of Product Development and Strategy, Digital Distribution, NBCUniversal Inc.
Erica Marie Dionne (’09)
Vice President of Product Development and Strategy, Digital Distribution, NBCUniversal Inc.
As an entertainment and digital media executive, I am a strategist and goal-orientated team player with experience in digital distribution, new product development, marketing communications, content, value creation and client relationship management.
What words of advice would you give to an incoming UCLA Anderson student?
Try to be authentic, no matter what you are or what you do. Your career is long, and if you aren’t your authentic self you will never find the right fit. Opportunities that should be present for you will never show up if you aren’t authentic. Be who you are, and the rest will follow.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Rather than set your focus too far in advance, focus on the next step. Do your best where you currently are, and that will open up the next opportunity, the next step. Looking too far forward might cause you to miss the opportunities that are right in front of you.
What are you reading right now?
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk — this is a book that is applicable for conversations at every age! And The Power of Unreasonable People — it’s a great reminder that if you have a point of view on something, and if it’s rational to you, it has the opportunity to shift the world. Don’t let the naysayers hold you back from trying!
What is one thing that each of us can do today to begin to build an inclusive community here at Anderson?
Don’t make assumptions about each other. Instead, relate to each other in a human way, and build your network that way. Talk less about work, and more about each other. Don’t close your mind, don’t narrow your vision, don’t categorize each other. Ignore the assumptions and be open to new realities. You might learn more from your classmates than you thought you would!
What is the most important skill that we should be teaching our students today?
There are actually a few key competencies that students need today to be competitive in today’s business environment. First, the ability to use the skills you are learning at Anderson in real-world environments, rather than in theoretical scenarios, is crucial. Second, honing communication skills, both written and verbal, is key, as both are necessary to adequately support your recommendations. And third, understanding that the consumer will interact with businesses through a screen, rather than in person — this is the state of business today.
Read the AnswersDiana Salsa (B.A. '03, '09)
Director of Marketing,
Wonderful Citrus
Diana Salsa (B.A. ’03, ’09)
Director of Marketing, Wonderful Citrus
I’m a CPG professional with cross-functional experience in finance, marketing, trade marketing and category/customer insights.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
I am a first-generation American and the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree. I had the opportunity to work in the admissions office of UCLA Anderson as an undergraduate and receive fantastic counseling from folks like Linda Baldwin. A few years into a career at an accounting firm, I realized I wanted to change functions. The MBA was an easy choice.
What three things did you learn at Anderson that have been most helpful to you in your career?
How to work on a diverse team effectively, how to build meaningful relationships and how to build and deliver compelling and persuasive presentations. My study group included someone who had worked on Wall Street, and someone who made toys! Learning how to bridge these skill sets and resolve conflict has made me a better leader and professional.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
If you are unsure of your career direction, build a transferable skill set at a respected company and consider geographic relocation. Once you have determined your career direction (and gained the confidence that you can conquer something as daunting as a new city), use that developed confidence to continually challenge yourself in your career.
What’s the one change you’d like to see happen in business today?
As a society, we absolutely need to extend the amount of paid parental leave for both men and women. So many valuable employees drop out of the workforce unnecessarily because they (and the companies they work for) don’t know how to make it all work. The stigma of taking permitted leave is sad. Companies that invest in progressive policies will undoubtedly earn improved employee loyalty, which will begin to be a differentiator in recruiting.
How do you celebrate your heritage?
It’s important to keep connected to your culture. I bring my whole self to work, and I’ve even been able to share my perspective with the teams marketing to Hispanic communities. It’s also important to me to keep a connection to my culture at home. I have two daughters who are bilingual, and I want them to be proud of their entire heritage as they grow up.
Conversations
We share success, fostering dialogue between seasoned professionals and our student body.
Sherry Lansing is a trailblazer for women in film and philanthropy
Disney CFO Christine McCarthy proved she's a a “risk” that paid off
Social Entrepreneur Leila Janah asked, "What if you could help end global poverty in your lifetime?"
Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum made it her mission to tackle homelessness in Los Angeles
Rebecca Bilek-Chee (’16) and Jeff Cornell (’08) agree there’s something about Anderson that brings people together
At the helm of a Top 20 network, BET’s Debra Lee always aims for authenticity
Dr. Susan Love ('98) hurdled sexism to make greater strides toward a cure for cancer
In the News
Female faculty at UCLA Anderson make headlines with new research influencing markets, industry and consumer behavior.
In the News
Easing Into Resolutions Might Make More Sense
People choose meaningful moments, like birthdays and anniversaries, that represent a new beginning to kick of transformations, said Professor Hengchen Dai
From The Blog
Biases Can Interfere With Retirement Decisions
Future retirees who don’t favor annuities are risk-averse, Professor Suzanne Shu told attendees of the Plan Sponsor Council of America Conference
UCLA Anderson Review
Running Low on PTO? Just Change Your Vacation Mindset
Cassie Mogilner Holmes, Sanford E. DeVoe, and Ph.D. student Colin West offer an intriguing hack that is easy and affordable for anyone to give a go: Frame your weekend as a vacation
In the News
How to Rent or Airbnb Your Home the Smart Way
The yields of single-family rentals are on par with stock market returns, according to Professor Andrea Eisfeldt's research on this $2.3 trillion industry
UCLA Optimists
