Meet Executive MBA Students and Alumni
Vanderbilt Executive MBAs are global business leaders, executives and entrepreneurs; you’ll find them from coast to coast and around the globe. While no two are alike, you’ll find that they all have one thing in common: an unparalleled experience that has helped them shape their worlds.
Here are just a few.
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Nancy Abbott
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 1991
Vice President, Human Resources, GE Commercial Finance
Nancy Abbott has remained with the same company, GE, for almost 30 years. But her position and responsibilities within it have been anything but static. "I completely changed direction," she says. She transitioned from a mid-level position in I... More of Nancy Abbott’s Story
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Nelson Andrews III
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 1995
General Manager, Andrews Cadillac and Land Rover
Nelson Andrews chose Vanderbilt's Executive MBA program not because he worked in Nashville but because he had researched other programs and found that Owen emphasized what he most wanted: skills and perspective that would equip him for upper management.... More of Nelson Andrews III’s Story
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Josh Anthony
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2009
Vice President, Global Nutrition and Health, Campbell Soup Company
Josh Anthony holds a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Physiology. But despite his position as R&D Director in charge of new product innovation for an international producer of infant formula, he recognized that “people in industry are often associ... More of Josh Anthony’s Story
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Uri Clinton
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2007
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer, Multimedia Games, Inc.
He had already earned his law degree and established himself on an upwardly mobile career path. But until he joined Vanderbilt's Executive MBA program, Uri Clinton had never been outside the United States. His International Residency trip to China, ... More of Uri Clinton’s Story
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Margaret Dolan
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2005
Assistant Vice President, Community Relations, Ingram Industries, Inc.
Margaret Dolan considered going straight to business school after earning her undergraduate degree in accounting. Instead, she opted to enter the work force immediately. ... More of Margaret Dolan’s Story
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James Suh
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2010
Director of Training, Analytics, and Quality, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
James Suh found a number of compelling reasons not to seek a Vanderbilt Executive MBA. For one, he routinely works 60-hour weeks with Asurion. He also had four children at home and a wife who was already enrolled in a nursing program.... More of James Suh’s Story
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Steve Brooks
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2008
CIO, Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.
Steve Brooks was ready to move up. He'd put three daughters through college; two went through grad school as well. Then, he decided, "It was my turn."... More of Steve Brooks’s Story
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Mike Piana
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2010
Vice President of Sales, Nachurs Alpine Solutions
With a degree in chemical engineering, Michael Piana understands the products he sells for his employer, Nachurs Alpine Solutions–a privately held company that makes premium specialty liquid fertilizer. But since his role as Vice President of Sales... More of Mike Piana’s Story
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Patrick Quirk
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2009
President and COO, Integr8 Networks, LLC
With more than 20 years in telecommunications, networking and semiconductors, Patrick Quirk's experience ranged from early-stage startups to Fortune 100 companies—most recently in Ireland as general manager of European engineering operations f... More of Patrick Quirk’s Story
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Michael Garofalo
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2008
Vice President of Finance, Architectural Graphics
Michael Garofalo pursued the Executive MBA program for skills that would equip him to lead a global enterprise. He also had an extra motivation to excel. A few weeks before classes began, his brother died. "As a devotion to him," Michael says,... More of Michael Garofalo’s Story
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Navin Karwande
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2009
Director, Non-Automotive Programs, Tower Automotive
Navin Karwande knew Vanderbilt had a globally recognized Executive MBA program. In fact, that was one of the reasons he relocated to the Nashville area as he considered how to acquire skills he would need to prepare himself to improve his career.... More of Navin Karwande’s Story
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Ted Klee
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2008
Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain, North America, Schneider Electric
Ted Klee joined Square D/Schneider Electric right out of college and hasn't looked back. But two decades later, he was looking ahead to the second half of his career.... More of Ted Klee’s Story
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Mary Speciale
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2010
AVP of Electronic Health Record Implementation, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)
Because she knew it would "position me for new challenges and promotions," Mary Speciale had long wanted to pursue an MBA. But responsibilities at home and at work held her back. "Once the children were in college," says Mary, "I... More of Mary Speciale’s Story
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Will Brown
Vanderbilt Executive MBA 2010
Associate Vice President, Accredited Investment Fiduciary
When he was assigned to submarine duty with the U.S. Navy, Will Brown entered a new and exotic world. But for the latest stage in his career, he decided to stay within agreeably familiar territory. ... More of Will Brown’s Story