Alumni Success Stories
Apply

Alumni Success
Stories

The Vanderbilt Business network is second-to-none, with an inherent culture of achievement and support far beyond graduation. 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.

Find An Alumni Success Story

Filter By
Xiaoyan Jiang

International Investment

Xiaoyan Jiang's intuition led her to Vanderbilt and a fruitful career in International Finance

Xiaoyan Jiang

Vanderbilt MBA 2001
Founder, Prime Number Capital
Shubhada Jagasia

From Clinician to the C-Suite

Owen helped ready Dr. Shubhada Jagasia for health care leadership

Shubhada Jagasia M.D.

Vanderbilt MM Health Care 2012
President & CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital
Marc Bennett

Improving Quality and Safety for Patients

Vanderbilt surgeon burnished his skills to lead at Owen

Marc Bennett

Vanderbilt MM Health Care 2014
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Josué Gomes da Silva

Taking the Family Business Global

Vanderbilt MBA equipped Josué Gomes da Silva to be international textile leader

Josué Gomes da Silva

Vanderbilt MBA 1989
Chairman and CEO, Coteminas
Belinda Grant-Anderson

Engineering a More Diverse Workforce

At AT&T, Belinda Grant-Anderson oversees global effort to build a robust talent pipeline

Belinda Grant-Anderson

Vanderbilt MBA 1990
VP, Talent Development, AT&T
Janet McCormick

Flaring Broadly and Rising Narrowly

Janet McCormick reflects on ‘multiple career’ path at Fidelity

Janet Kim McCormick CFA

UC Berkeley BS 1986, Vanderbilt MBA 1988
Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager, Morgan Stanley Global Wealth Management
Austin Na Qinglin

The Future of Telecom

Austin Na Qinglin is moving communication forward

Austin Na Qinglin

Vanderbilt MBA 1995
Chief Executive and Chairman, O-Net Technologies
Martin Craighead

Globally Minded

Through several international roles, Martin Craighead stayed true to his inner compass

Martin Craighead

Vanderbilt IEMBA 1999
Former Chairman/CEO, Baker Hughes A GE Co LLC
Guy Bodart

Taking the Leap into a New Environment

In luxury goods (and some challenging markets) knowledge and determination pay off for Guy Bodart

Guy Bodart

Vanderbilt MBA 1988
CEO, Euroluxe
David Farr

Powering the Future of Global Enterprise

David Farr has transformed a Fortune 500 company

David Farr

Vanderbilt MBA 1981
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Emerson
Joe Cashia

Joe Cashia: Learning to Run the Show

Health care executive gained the experience to launch his own companies

Joe Cashia

Vanderbilt MBA 1995
Founder & CEO, Ascend Health Care Services, LLC
Heiki Miki

Getting an Education from His Classmates

Recalling his Owen experience, manufacturing leader Heiki Miki pays it forward

Heiki Miki

Vanderbilt MBA 1996
Managing Executive Officer & Division Director, Shinagawa Refractories
Paul Jacobson

Watching His Dream Take Flight

Delta CFO Paul Jacobson went where he had hoped with his MBA

Paul Jacobson

Vanderbilt MBA 1997
Chief Financial Officer, General Motors Co.
Sarah Trahern

The Business Queen of Country Music

Sarah Trahern followed her passion to top rungs of the industry

Sarah Trahern

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2004
CEO, Country Music Association
Steve Gruver

Shaping His Companies’ Futures

For Steve Gruver, it started with an EMBA project team

Steve Gruver

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2001
President, Shapes Unlimited Inc.
Prashant Khemka

From Engineering to Equities

Prashant Khemka turns his eye to the Indian market

Prashant Khemka

Vanderbilt MBA 1998
Founder, White Oak Capital Management
Ravyn Miller

The Business Leader Is a Preacher

For Ravyn Miller, ministry and global marketing can go hand in hand

Ravyn Miller

Vanderbilt Master of Divinity 2009, Vanderbilt MBA 2009
Vice President, Portfolio Strategy & Business Development, Medtronic
Ravi Chari, M.D.

Merging Clinical and Management Skills

Surgeon helps lead change in healthcare delivery

Ravi Chari, M.D.

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2008
Clinical Operations, InnovaCare Health
Amy Jorgensen Conlee

Trailblazer for Diversity

Amy Jorgensen Conlee, one of Morgan Stanley's first female managing directors, pays it forward.

Amy Jorgensen Conlee

Vanderbilt MBA 1977
Owner, Jorgensen Company
Tom DiSalvo

Getting Beyond One Patient at a Time

‘Transforming’ EMBA experience helped Tom DiSalvo get to the heart of health care operations

Tom DiSalvo

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2007
Medical Director, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina
Layla George

Enjoying Her Time in the Parks

Nonprofit manager finds EMBA to be a profitable decision

Layla George

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2018
President and CEO, Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Tim Murray

Running an Industry That Helps Run a Country

CEO finds presiding over global giant in aluminum to be ‘humbling’

Tim Murray

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2003
CEO, Cardinal Virtues Consulting
Jim Bryson

Jim Bryson: Business Leadership amid the Ruins

After the earthquake, research firm executive builds a school in Haiti

Jim Bryson

Vanderbilt MBA 1985
Commissioner, Finance & Administration, State of Tennessee
Michele Hesselrode

Launching a “Life-Changing” Experience

Hesselrode took the harder road and found rewards via MMHC

Michele Hesselrode

Vanderbilt MM Health Care 2013
Director, Physician Outreach and Connections Department, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Enderson Miranda

Growing Professionally and Globally

CEO connects rapid rise to Global Executive MBA program

Enderson Miranda

Vanderbilt Global Executive MBA 2015
Vice President, Enterprise Strategic Clients, AMN Healthcare
Sarah Gates

Always Choosing the Less-Traveled Road

Entrepreneur Sarah Gates does business on the frontiers of IT

Sarah Gates

Vanderbilt MBA 1996
Founder & CEO, Wisegate
Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith: Investing in Her Own Success

Motivated self-starter finds a firm that matches her personality

Kelly Smith

Vanderbilt MS Finance 2013
Private Equity Associate, Global Endowment Management, Charlotte, NC
Marjorie Eastman

An Officer and an Author

Marjorie Eastman champions the military community in business

Marjorie K. Eastman

Vanderbilt MBA 2013
Award-winning Author, National Speaker, Contributing Writer, Longbow Six Publishing, LLC
Kim Newton

Making Her Mark at Hallmark

Kim Newton leads internal consulting team for company’s diverse business units

Kim Newton

Vanderbilt MBA 1996
Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Business Development, Hallmark
Bruce Heyman

From Managing Funds to Managing Diplomatic Relations

U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman started his career in Investment Banking

Bruce Heyman

Vanderbilt MBA 1980
Former United States Ambassador to Canada
Steve Brophy

From Government Operations to Government Relations

Washington insider gained new skills for the business world

Steve Brophy

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2015
VP, Government & Public Relations, Dollar General
Adena Friedman

Turning an Association into a Business

Over two decades, Adena Friedman helped lead transformation at Nasdaq

Adena Friedman

Vanderbilt MBA 1993
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Nasdaq
Jameson Norton

Preparing for High-Stakes Leadership

MBA helped Marine captain Jameson Norton transition to behavior health care

Jameson Norton

Vanderbilt MBA 2015
Chief Operating Officer, Newport Healthcare
Tim Perry

Drilling in a Different Direction

Like his industry, Tim Perry follows an unconventional route to leadership

Tim Perry

Vanderbilt MBA 1981
Global Co-head of Oil and Gas Investment Banking, Credit Suisse
George Dahir

Operating from a Different Perspective

MMHC helped surgeon see his field new understanding

George Dahir

Vanderbilt MM Health Care 2013
Orthopaedic Surgeon at NorthCrest Orthopaedics, Springfield, Tennessee
Vernat Exil

Delivering Better Health Care

For Dr. Exil, new skills mean new possibilities

Vernat Exil

Vanderbilt Global Executive MBA 2013
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics / Chief Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Saint Louis University, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Linus Hall

Pouring Himself into His Career Passion

Executive MBA helps engineer Linus Hall build a brewery and a brand

Linus Hall

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2000
President and Co-Founder, Yazoo Brewing Co.
Keri Kelly

Keri Kelly: Making Human Capital Pay

Accountant turned her talent into talent management

Keri Floyd Kelly

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2013
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Nissan Motor Corporation
James Fiechtl

From Physician to President

MMHC opens door to new role for bone and joint doctor

James "Jim" Fiechtl

Vanderbilt MM Health Care 2016
VP, Clinical Partnerships & Sports Medicine Physician, Vori Health
Roger Kumar

Making the Most of an Analytical Toolkit

In the health care field, Roger Kumar turns numbers into strategy

Roger Kumar

George Mason University B.S. 0, Vanderbilt MS Finance 2011
Business & Strategy Manager, Cota, New York City
Brad Martin

A Renaissance Man

Brad Martin's career path has taken him from politics to child care and everything in between

Brad Martin

Vanderbilt MBA 1980
Chairman of Chesapeake Energy, Chairman of RBM Ventures, and Retired Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated
Radha Pingle

Gaining Global Responsibility

Executive MBA helps fuel Pingle’s rise at Bridgestone Americas

Radha Pingle

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2018
Director, Head of Legal Operations, Applied Materials
Ricardo Shelley

Going Global with Coca-Cola

Owen opens international opportunities for Shelley

Ricardo Shelley

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 1999
Managing Director Latin America, Costa Coffee
William Oehmig

Keeping His Word

William Oehmig built several businesses through acumen and accountability

William C. "Billy" Oehmig

Vanderbilt MBA 1973
Principal and Senior Partner, Kestrel Capital
Phyllis Ekdall

Phyllis Ekdall: Going beyond the Numbers

Hospital finance executive finds value in learning from diverse colleagues

Phyllis Ekdall

Vanderbilt MM Health Care 2009
Independent Finance/Management Consultant, Self Employed
David Johnson

Engineering a Way through Disruption

Years later, lessons from Owen still pay off for Nissan’s David Johnson

David Johnson

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2010
Senior Vice President, Nissan Motor Corporation
Lucas Mininger

Gaining New Options to Go National

Fund-raiser leverages EMBA to expand career horizons

Lucas Mininger

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2002
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Tidal Wave Auto Spa
Rachel Goodman

Reducing Risks by Increasing Her Knowledge

Goodman learned to fight infection through education

Rachel Goodman

Vanderbilt MM Health Care 2013
Infection Preventionist, Tennessee Hospital Association
Betty Thayer

Going International

Betty Thayer's Vanderbilt MBA proved to be an advantage in Europe

Betty Thayer

Vanderbilt MBA 1982
Management Consulting Businesswoman (Retired)
Andrea Gomirato

Watching His Career Blast Off

Italian engineer takes new direction after Vanderbilt experience

Andrea Gomirato

Vanderbilt Global Americas MBA 2017
VP, Hardware Engineering, Shift5
Josh Anthony

From a Biologist to a Business Leader

Executive MBA gave Josh Anthony the skills and credential for a wider role

Josh Anthony

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2009
Founder and CEO, Nlumn
Steve Buchanan

Nashville Takes Buchanan to the Top

Following the music (and staying in Music City) was right choice for Opry president

Steve Buchanan

Vanderbilt MBA 1985
President, SteadiBeat Media
David Ingram

Tapping Into a New Market

David Ingram's strategic pivot into beer distribution pays dividends

David B. Ingram

Vanderbilt MBA 1989
Chairman and President, Ingram Entertainment Inc.; Chairman, DBI Beverage Inc.
Kiffany Peggs

Making Older Adults Her Priority

Geriatrician bettered her business skills to better serve others

Kiffany Peggs

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2017
Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare Community & State
Anu Aiyengar

The Power of Empowerment

Anu Aiyengar is a thought leader that gives others a chance to thrive

Anu Aiyengar

Vanderbilt MBA 1999
Global Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, J.P. Morgan
W. Douglas Parker

Finding Smoother Air beyond the Turbulence

American Airlines chief Doug Parker knows how to manage through tough times

W. Douglas "Doug" Parker

Vanderbilt MBA 1986
Former Chairman and CEO (Retired), American Airlines
Connie Ritter

Connie Ritter: Doing What She Planned

ExxonMobil executive found the right offer — and stayed the course

Connie Ritter

Vanderbilt MBA 1980
Global Planning & Development Manager, ExxonMobil
Charles Vice

Bringing Energy Online

Charles Vice leveraged his engineering background to become a leader in energy and financial services

Charles Vice

Vanderbilt MBA 0
Former President & COO, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
Edward Alston

From the Frontlines to Finance

For Edward Alston, Vanderbilt's flexibility was key

Edward Alston Jr.

Vanderbilt MM 1971
Telecommunications Consultant (Retired)
Audra Watt

Making Her Mark in Healthcare Marketing

Medtronic manager applies EMBA to accept new roles

Audra Watt

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2014
Vice President Marketing, Permobil Americas
Virginia Lazenby

How Gigi Lazenby Became ‘Queen of the Strippers'

Office assistant turned MBA rose to become national leader in petroleum industry

Virginia B. "Gigi" Lazenby

Vanderbilt MBA 1973
Founder and CEO, Bretagne, LLC
Karen Rogers

Winning by Creating Win/Wins

At FedEx and beyond, Karen Rogers follows team-focused leadership approach

Karen Rogers

Vanderbilt MBA 1984
Co-founder & Former Chief Marketing Officer, Calade Partners
Jonathan Connor

Taking the Surer Route to the Executive Suite

For career changer, Vanderbilt was a door opener

Jonathan Connor

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2014
VP, Strategic Partnerships, Office of Partnerships, HCA Healthcare
Max Dutcher

Bridging the Gap between Numbers and Words

In New York, Max Dutcher applies MAcc Val skills to strategic communications

Max Dutcher

Vanderbilt MAcc Valuation 2013
Vice President, Gladstone Place Partners
Henry Guy

Finding People to Roll up Their Sleeves

Henry Guy proved himself and found a pipeline at Vanderbilt for others like him

Henry Guy Jr.

Vanderbilt MBA 1998
President & Chief Investment Officer, Pittco Management
Cindy Kent

Choosing a Different Kind of Leadership

'Balanced’ approach informed Cindy Kent’s rise in health care business

Cindy Kent

Vanderbilt MBA 1999, Vanderbilt Master of Divinity 2001
Chief Operating Officer, Everly Health
Geoffrey Walker

A Toy Story That’s Still Being Written

Geoff Walker helps build brands and chart strategic direction

Geoffrey "Geoff" Walker

Vanderbilt MBA 1994
Chief Executive Officer & President, KidKraft Inc.
Brent Turner

From Electrical Engineering to Dog Walking

Microsoft veteran Brent Turner has a penchant for startups (and causes)

Brent Turner

Vanderbilt MBA 1999
President & Chief Operating Officer, Rover.com
Eric Noll

Eric Noll: Relying on Friends and Family

Looking back, Wall Street CEO remembers how Vanderbilt him get ahead

Eric Noll

Vanderbilt MBA 1990
Chief Executive Officer, Context Capital Partners
David Zinsner

Challenge Accepted

David Zinsner's career moves have taken him to the top of the Semiconductor industry

David Zinsner

Vanderbilt MBA 1996
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Intel Corporation
Latia Harris

Earning Dividends Well Beyond Graduation

In hindsight, Latia Harris’ choice of Vanderbilt looks better than ever

Latia Harris

Vanderbilt MBA 2013
Senior Director Change Management, Cisco Transformation Center
Rob Louv

Investing in the Dynamic Side of Investment Banking

Rob Louv pursues emerging growth opportunities from Wall Street to L.A.

Rob Louv

Vanderbilt MBA 1997
Managing Director, Co-Head of the Technology & Media Group, Houlihan Lokey
Phillipia Pundor

Building on International Experience

After Vanderbilt, compensation pro became a global executive

Phillipia Pundor

Vanderbilt Global Executive MBA 2013
Global Director, Executive Compensation, Nissan Motor Corporation
Bob Rolfe

Down to Earth

Turnaround expert Bob Rolfe is now Tennessee's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development

Bob Rolfe

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 1988
Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Derek Young

How Do You Manage $568 Billion?

At Fidelity, Derek Young relies on the skills he honed at Vanderbilt

Derek Young

Vanderbilt MBA 1991, Troy University B.S. 1986
President Japan and Member of the Global Operating Committee, Fidelity International; Board Chair, Asia Alumni Board
Francis Guess

Francis Guess: a Pillar in Business and Society

Nashville native rose to the top of corporations and government

Francis Guess

Vanderbilt MBM 1974
Revered Nashville Business Leader (deceased)
Lynn Matrisian

Advancing Her Passion into the Business World

Esteemed cancer researcher retooled skills for advocacy career

Lynn Matrisian

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2013
Chief Science Officer, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Daniel Zardo

Engineering His Way toward the Top

Brazilian Exec found the challenges he was looking for

Daniel Zardo

Vanderbilt Global Executive MBA 2013
Sr Program Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific
John Ingram

Finding Opportunity in Change

John Ingram applies lessons learned at Owen to navigate multiple industries

John Ingram

Vanderbilt MBA 1986
Chairman of the Ingram Content Group, Lightning Source and Digital Ingram, and Ingram Industries
Adrianne Poole

Growing in Skill with a Growing Firm

With help from Vanderbilt, Poole’s career in e-commerce blossoms

Adrianne Mayshar Poole

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2016
Senior Director, Global Customer Education & Community, Klaviyo
Huimin Wu

An Expert Chinese Investor

Huimin Wu is one of the most influential investors in China today

Huimin Wu

Vanderbilt MBA 1997
Courtney Damon

Moving to Nashville and Moving up

Courtney Damon settled long enough to build career value with her EMBA

Courtney Damon

Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2014
Chief Human Resources Officer, Formulated Solutions