Discover why these working professionals chose Kelley Direct for their MBA.
For more than 25 years, Kelley has transformed online learning. From military to medical sales, these incoming Kelley Direct students are examples of how to break the mold and make an investment in yourself with our #1 online MBA program.
Jeffrey Sinclair
Military Veteran and Director in Leadership Strategy and Business Enablement
Folsom, California
I wanted to learn how to be a better steward for my family’s finances but also how to tell a value story that resonates with the C-suite.”
Jeff has spent decades exploring new ways to reinvent himself.
From his first career in law enforcement followed by two tours in Iraq as an infantryman in the US Army to becoming a senior leader in talent development—Jeff has fostered a career around leadership. Meeting people where they’re at is his specialty, and he places great value in supporting people as they navigate their own career journeys.
Jeff’s interest in private equity was sparked years ago by a mentor who emphasized the importance of measuring effectiveness in business. Not only did that insight stick with him, but it prompted him to seek an education that would let him speak the language of business and tie his efforts to measurable outcomes.
Enter Kelley Direct. For Jeff, Kelley offered the credibility and structure he was seeking to push further in his career. By using this moment to invest in himself, he’ll be able to fill in the gaps where more business knowledge is needed, while also joining a growing and supportive Kelley community that’s just as excited to have him.
While Kelley’s reputation alone is a good enough reason to want to attend, what really sealed the deal for me was that I never felt like just another number,” Jeff said. “The program made me feel seen and heard. Not only did I want to become a Kelley, but it feels like Kelley is just as eager to add me to their own resume.”
The opportunity Kelley offers students like Jeff is unmatched. It provides thousands of people each year the chance to not just excel in their craft but also learn from other perspectives. Jeff excels by learning from others and strongly believes that it’s the most ideal learning environment.
If you look at something for too long, you can become agnostic to it—until someone new comes along and adds a fresh lens.”
Jeff brings decades of leadership and mentorship experience. He’s excited to offer composure to his cohort while gaining the finance and strategy tools to potentially transition into private equity and push his career even further.
Oriana Mateu Bastidas
Regional Therapy Advancement Manager, Johnson & Johnson
Washington, D.C.
Pursuing an MBA is a big decision and investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But investing in myself is also the wisest decision I could make right now.”
Based in Washington, D.C., Oriana brings a unique 
blend of technical knowledge and relationship building to the Kelley Direct community. A biomedical engineering graduate from Georgia Tech, she now works at Johnson & Johnson in marketing and sales. As an immigrant from Venezuela, she understands the roadblocks that can exist when navigating a new language and social thought processes.
As an immigrant in my teens, it was difficult learning a different educational system in the US,” Oriana said. “But I was determined to not let any barriers or backlash stop me from creating the success I wanted for myself.”
Not only did she graduate with honors from university, but since joining Johnson & Johnson, Oriana has expanded her skills in market strategy, negotiation, and healthcare systems. Her current role requires her to build buy-in from C-suite executives, which has sparked her interest in understanding the business strategy behind these decisions and a long-term desire to be in the C-suite herself.
If I want to be the smartest person in the room, I have to invest in myself now,” Oriana said. “While I don’t have business experience, with Kelley I’ll be able to put myself ahead of the curve and add more value to my skills.”
Kelley’s welcoming community, in-person components, and flexible structure made it the ideal match for Oriana’s desire to maintain her work-life balance. Passionate about leadership and people development, Oriana plans to pursue an account manager role post-MBA, eventually aiming to become a vice president in her division. She’s particularly excited to bring her medical device sales, healthcare knowledge, and immigrant perspective to her cohort.
Whether it’s in business strategy, finance, or sales, these new Kelley Direct students are setting the stage for their success. Though their experiences may vary, together they prove that no matter the path—there’s a place for you at Kelley.
Explore Kelley Direct and take the first step
Omar Padilla
Elizabeth Davis 
Kat Goessl 
Samuel Gorton