By Mary Thomason-Smith Gary Tong, MBA’24, spent his early career in engineering and manufacturing but wanted to earn an MBA. A first-generation college graduate, Gary kept his MBA ambitions on hold to support his family and build a career at Boeing—until he discovered the #1-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA program. Now Gary works in consulting… Read more »
Leadership
Kelley Coin Winner: Hank Swearingen, MBA’22
I received my Kelley Coin for being a member of the winning team from the first Kelley Connect Week in Summer 2020: Navigating a COVID-19 World. Several weeks of learning from experts about the challenges of the pandemic and certain business implications culminated in a 72-hour entrepreneurial idea sprint. Each team was tasked with developing… Read more »
Kelley Coin Winner: Robert Moore
I received a Kelley Coin for winning a case competition in which my team and I were tasked with finding a new strategic venture for NetJets, Inc., the private airline company. My role was to coordinate and solve problems – a role made even easier because I worked with some fantastically smart and innovative teammates… Read more »
Kelley Coin Winner: Punyatoya Mohapatra, MBA’22
Hard work, dedication, and resilience are hallmarks of my Kelley Direct career with Kelly Coin as one of the best memories. I started my MBA right before the Covid-19 pandemic and can’t believe I’m graduating in a month. I decided to pursue my MBA to expand my knowledge in people and business beyond my R&D… Read more »
Before you choose an online MBA program, get tips from Kelley professor Carolyn Goerner
By Mary Thomason-Smith Want to know if you’ll thrive in the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program? In a recent episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, Kelley School of Business Clinical Professor of Management Carolyn Goerner shares how to find the answer. Start with you Reflect on how your strengths align with five student… Read more »
Brittany Woods, Senior Business Consultant, Liberty Mutual
I joined my current organization – Liberty Mutual – in my last semester of college. I quickly realized my humanities degree taught me to read, write, and speak critically, but it did not provide the business acumen needed to advance my career in a corporate setting. I didn’t always have the right words to put… Read more »
Dennis Willette, Director of Operations, Maintech, Inc.
I fell into what I’m doing for work today – Director of Operations at an IT infrastructure services firm – largely by accident. I studied film as a Yale undergraduate and aspired to become a writer and filmmaker. Early on, I juggled various corporate jobs while writing and attempting to sell screenplays. When I finally… Read more »
Anton Vincent, president of Mars Wrigley, North America, shares strategies to connect with your customers, your coworkers, and yourself
By Mary Thomason-Smith Effective leaders understand there’s power in making connections. With your customers. Among team members. Even with yourself. For students in the No. 1-ranked Kelley Direct online MBA program, connections happen through dynamic online learning experiences, transformative immersion courses, and opportunities to engage with an international Kelley alumni network. Kelley Direct’s webinar series—Conversations… Read more »
Michael Brown, General Manager, PMI Feed Additives, Land O’ Lakes
A few years ago, I faced a crucial decision in my career. I wanted to expand my role into realms outside of supply chain to position myself for a full P&L role in the future. I knew an MBA would help me gain the strategic thinking required to apply methodologies I would learn into real… Read more »
Kelley Direct Entrepreneur Spotlight: Laura Fooks, CEO, Light Speaks Loudest
I always dreamed of someday setting out on my own and becoming an entrepreneur, so I figured getting my MBA would provide a solid foundation for that career path. What I didn’t figure, however, was how instrumental my MBA, and the Kelley Direct program, would be in helping me achieve that dream. Beyond the tangible… Read more »