Before she came to Vanderbilt, Liza Moskowitz had what she describes as “an interesting career path” that took her from leadership consulting for an international sorority to media strategy for a large retailer to management of a global volunteer program impacting more than 20,000 people each year. She’s proud of her demonstrated ability to transfer skills from one role to another, and of the problem-solving, critical thinking, and team management skills that helped her succeed in those diverse positions.

What she lacked, Liza realized, was “foundational business knowledge.” An MBA would give her “a stamp of credibility and legitimacy on my resume.”

When she began researching programs, she was drawn to Vanderbilt’s Human and Organizational Performance concentration, which would help her pivot to a career in human capital consulting. She also was impressed by Owen’s Leadership Development Program and the opportunity to work with an executive coach during her first year to refine specific personal leadership goals. After four years working in Chicago, she adds, “I was ready to retire my winter coat and move to a warmer climate.”

Liza especially felt drawn to the prospect of “being part of a community where the people and program support your individual interests and goals. The Vanderbilt MBA,” she says, “is not built to pump people through and turn everyone into the exact same person. The experience is all about making each person the best version of themselves.”

For Liza, those individual interests involved two experiences she found particularly rewarding. She enjoyed being part of Humans of Owen, which encourages students, faculty, and staff to speak freely and openly on a themed topic. “I loved how it shines a spotlight on people so we can learn who they are outside the business school environment,” Liza says. She also became deeply involved with Owen’s Jewish Business Association, which hosts events not only for the Jewish community but the entire Owen community. (An avid baker of braided challah bread, Liza even turned her hobby into a small business while at Vanderbilt.)

Upon graduation, Liza embarked on the career in human capital consulting she sought. “My time at Owen significantly shifted the trajectory of my professional career,” she says. “I would not be headed to where I am professionally without the support of my peers, the OSCC, and the Owen alumni at Deloitte.”

Fun Fact: Liza is a certified barre instructor who continued to teach classes throughout her time at Vanderbilt.

The experience is all about making each person the best version of themselves.