The ExecMBA Podcast

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Kirby Landon. Kirby is a second year student in Darden’s Part-Time MBA Class of 2025, and she also currently serves as VP, Community for the Part-Time MBA Student Association. We talk with Kirby about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her Darden, what she’s enjoyed about the program so far and more. Kirby also gave birth during her first year, and we chat with her about balancing the demands of work, school and parenthood.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Dan Biga. Dan is a graduate in our Executive MBA Class of 2021, and he currently works for Deloitte as a Lead Specialist, Social Impact Portfolio, Deloitte Leadership and Human Potential. We talk with Dan about his service in the United States Marine Corps, his experience teaching in Chicago, his decision to pursue an MBA, what he’s been up to since graduation and more.

Professor Jim Naughton, Associate Professor in the Accounting area at Darden, discusses the influence of financial, legal, and regulatory institutions on financial disclosure and economic choices. Topics include the intersection of accounting and law, green washing in the fast fashion industry, challenges in environmental disclosures, connections between elected officials and regulatory bodies, and accounting choices in pensions.

Professor Les Alexander, experienced professor, VC and PE investor, and investment banker, discusses topics such as venture capital and private equity, entrepreneurship through acquisition, the Theranos case, teaching techniques, and the UVA Venture Capital Conference in a wide-ranging conversation on the ExecMBA Podcast.

Melissa Thomas-Hunt and Yael Grushka-Cockayne reflect on the fall semester, discuss highlights and growth of the program, exciting upcoming travel plans, research opportunities, and their upcoming book 'Inclusion Unlocked' which emphasizes leadership capabilities for being an inclusive leader.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Taylor Bennett. Taylor is a recent graduate in our Executive MBA Class of 2023, and he is currently the Chief Development Office for Pizza Hut. We talk with Taylor about his decision to pursue an MBA, the impact of his Darden experience, his favorite Darden classes, as well as the independent study he did focused on his classmate's restaurant concept in Birmingham, Alabama.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Patrick Clancey. Patrick is a graduate in Darden’s Executive MBA Class of 2020, and we talk with Patrick about this decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, how his Learning Team shaped his Darden experience, how he balanced work, life and school as an Executive MBA student, what he’s been up to since graduation and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up Stephen Beaudoin. Stephen is a graduate in Darden’s Executive MBA Class of 2022, and he has built his career in the performing arts. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Stephen about his decision to pursue an MBA, the impact of his Darden experience, what he’s been up to since graduation, his new role as the President and CEO of the Music School of Delaware and more.

In this special edition of the podcast, we catch up with Ayana Younge. Younge is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Leadership and Organizational Behavior area at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and her research lies at the intersection of emotions, social hierarchy, and interpersonal processes. We talk with Younge about her journey to Darden, what it’s like to teach in Darden’s core curriculum, her elective – People, Purpose and the Power of Relationships, as well as her work with the PhD Project. Founded in 1994, The PhD Project seeks to diversify corporate America by diversifying the role models in the front of classrooms. Learn more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Allison Elias. Elias teaches courses about communication and negotiation in Darden’s MBA and Executive MBA programs, and we recently connected with her to discuss her journey to Darden, her elective – Women, Gender and Work – as well as her 2022 book, The Rise of Corporate Feminism. Elias was a nominee for the 2022 Outstanding Faculty Award at Darden, and her elective, Women, Gender, and Work, was rated among the top 10% of all Darden electives (according to student ratings regarding course content and instructor quality).