During her 6 years working with 2 advertising agencies and an economic consulting firm, Mackenzie Murray discovered an aptitude for financial analysis. “I worked at an ad agency, in a finance role with a consulting firm, and then as a financial analyst for a marketing firm,” she says. “In my last role, I really started to figure out what I was good at and what gave me energy at work.”

The parts of her job she enjoyed most—analytical work and working in teams—led her to consider a career in consulting. “I wanted more variety in my project work and to make a lasting impact for clients externally,” she says. “Consulting checked all those boxes for me and more.”

Mackenzie majored in communications at Elon University and learned foundational business skills on the job. But she knew that an MBA was essential to achieving her career goals. “I needed the perspective and knowledge an MBA would provide to succeed in my career,” she says.

Her partner, Alex Spoviero (MBA’24), was also exploring graduate business programs. The pair began to study together for the GMAT in 2020 and graduated together 4 years later. “A dream of ours was to go to business school together,” she says. “Vanderbilt helped make that dream come true.”

Mackenzie acknowledges struggling with the thought of quitting her job and returning to school as a full-time student. She was named a Forté Fellow at Owen, and her positive experience at the Forté conference in Los Angeles in 2022—shortly before her MBA program started—confirmed she was making the right move. “I really connected with the other Owen Forté fellows and local alumni at the conference,” she says. “The whole experience with my soon-to-be classmates was so comfortable and fun, and it perfectly mirrored the Owen vibe I came to know and love—fiercely motivated and intelligent people who are also easygoing and fun to be around.”

Mackenzie not only found community among her classmates, but also with her professors. She met 2 of her program mentors, Professors Erik Olson and Yasin Alan, during her first Mod. “They remained mentors throughout my time at Owen,” she says. “They both showed a passion for their subject matter—accounting and statistics—and were so open to answering my questions and with me staying after class or emailing with random homework questions. I learned a ton from them both.” In a full-circle moment, she became a TA for their classes during her second year at Owen.

Mackenzie also found a meaningful mentor in Professor Brian McCann during her second year. She not only took 3 of his classes, but she also worked alongside him when she served as president of the Owen Strategy & Consulting Club and he was the club’s advisor. She also was able to work with him through an independent study that involved strategic planning for a local nonprofit organization. “It has been really interesting and exciting to learn from, and work with, him at the same time. This is a prime example of how much time professors give to the school and their students,” she says.

Mackenzie feels excited and prepared for her future career due to her time at Owen. “Owen exceeded my expectations,” she says. “My 2 years here were some of the most rewarding, special, challenging, empowering, and fun times of my life.” After graduation, Mackenzie will be joining Bain & Co.’s Atlanta office as a consultant.

Fun Fact: Mackenzie is a Pure Barre instructor who taught in both Boston and Nashville, and she runs half-marathons every year. She and several Owen classmates ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Nashville in spring 2024. 

The Owen community is unlike any other I have been a part of. I am not only graduating with a strong business education, but also lifetime friends and mentors.