Our Stories
Vanderbilt Business starts with people at its core, each with their own story. Students and alumni in varied fields come together from all over the world to discover, grow, and thrive in business and beyond. We’ve collected a few of those stories here.
Student Stories
All Vanderbilt students start with something in common. They’re different. We invite you to read their stories and discover the many unique paths to Vanderbilt Business.
Chi Okafor
Ten years after earning her accounting degree in Nigeria, Chi Okafor found herself back in school. After moving to the U.S. with her family and committing to additional schooling, Chi found Owen’s Leadership Development Program, small class size, and strong community as compelling reasons to choose Vanderbilt.
Edwin Feagins
Edwin Feagins Jr. has worked as a firefighter and an emergency medical technician since 2011. When he gained the rank of captain at age 33, he decided to pursue a graduate program that would enhance his management skills. “I set a personal goal to excel in organizational and operational management,” he says.
Corrie Peterson
The feeling of community was what Corrie came to Vanderbilt from California to find. “After attending a large school as an undergrad, I really wanted a more personalized and hands-on experience. I liked that [Vanderbilt] supports their students all the way through the job process."
Jack Bogan
Jack majored in economics and had no background in accounting. That’s why he chose Vanderbilt’s MAcc program. “I wanted to work for a Big 4 firm, and I knew that my undergraduate experience probably did not prepare me enough to pursue that career. I also knew the Vanderbilt MAcc program is built for non-accounting majors."
Alumni Success
We invite you to meet a few of our graduates who have gone from here to follow their passions, build outstanding careers and, in many cases, exert an outsized influence on their chosen fields.
Adena Friedman
In 2015, Forbes listed Adena Friedman among the 40 most powerful women in the world (one spot behind Nancy Pelosi). At Nasdaq, she’s Chair and Chief Executive Officer. Adena started her Nasdaq career as a business analyst immediately after receiving her MBA from Vanderbilt. Over the years she has taken the lead on a myriad of initiatives, including acquisitions and mergers that have positioned the company to compete in a changing global economy.
Heiki Miki
Heiki Miki discovered Vanderbilt in 1994, when he was part of a wave of Japanese managers coming to top U.S. business schools to help fill a shortage of homegrown managerial talent. Heiki, who was only the fifth Japanese student to graduate from Owen when he received his MBA, wanted to attend a small program but one that was ranked in the top 25. The school also needed to have a great marketing faculty. Vanderbilt matched his criteria perfectly.
Derek Young
If you’re one of the millions of investors who invest in managed accounts or mutual funds at Fidelity Investments, then you know Derek Young’s work. Derek leads an investment division at Fidelity that provides investors with solutions that can help them meet their financial needs, from retirement and college planning to wealth management and tax-sensitive investing. His division’s clients include individuals, intermediaries and institutions.
Anu Aiyengar
Throughout her career, Aiyengar has been a champion for women in business. She co-chairs the Investment Bank’s women network and is involved with initiatives within J.P. Morgan and on Wall Street to recruit, mentor, and develop women. She has received the Impact and Innovation award from Dress for Success — an international nonprofit organization that seeks “to help women thrive in work and in life”
How Squishmallows Found a Home at Vanderbilt
In February of 2026, Squishmallows made their debut at a college sporting event for the very first time. The idea was developed by Owen Graduate School of Management MBA students, shaped through coursework with faculty member Mario Avila, and brought to life by Jeremy Padawer, MBA’01. What started as a classroom connection turned into one of the most unexpected game weekends Memorial Gym has seen.