WHY MBA @ UCLA Anderson

UCLA Anderson
  • 4.7 (7)
  • EDUCATION

Giving you an inside look into what business school is really like. Stories from current students and successful grads combined into a behind the scenes look at the UCLA Anderson MBA experience. Hosted by 2017 grad Alex Grodnik.

  1. Saying Yes to Challenges

    06/27/2025

    Saying Yes to Challenges

    Featuring: Haley Ludwigson ('09), CEO, Cravings by Chrissy Teigen With a long track record as a CFO, Haley Ludwigson ('09) took her career from investment banking to building a major lifestyle brand. She reflects on professional pivots, lessons in leadership and how embracing uncertainty has influenced her choices. From launching a rebrand to working alongside a celebrity entrepreneur, Ludwigson offers insights on staying curious, saying yes to challenges and growing through change.

    27 min
  2. The Business Behind the Creative

    05/22/2025

    The Business Behind the Creative

    Hulu's Jenna Cavelle ('23) and McKinney's Anita Schillhorn van Veen ('23) compare notes on how their Anderson MBA has influenced the way they work in Hollywood and Advertising

    26 min
  3. Honoring Tradition While Driving Growth

    02/26/2025

    Honoring Tradition While Driving Growth

    Featuring: Courtney Taira ('18), President, IFG Restaurant Group Courtney Taira ('18) leads the King's Hawaiian food empire, where she steers preservation of her family's legacy and drives innovation. A veteran of the industry, Taira combines hands-on culinary experience with strategic vision to expand the brand her grandfather established in 1950. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of leading an international, multigenerational company, the importance of building the right team and how fostering diversity influences stronger decision-making.

    24 min
  4. A Healthy, Active, Optimized Life

    12/17/2024

    A Healthy, Active, Optimized Life

    WHY MBA @ UCLA Anderson

    22 min
  5. His Career Skyrocketed

    08/29/2024

    His Career Skyrocketed

    Featuring: Muhammad "Mo" Shahzad ('09), President and CFO of Relativity Space With no prior experience, Muhammad "Mo" Shahzad ('09) immersed himself in the rocket industry and secured a top role in the field. An immigrant to the U.S., he embraces the mentality of openness, curiosity and results-driven leadership. Lessons from Anderson fueled his mission to pioneer reusable rockets and make life interplanetary.

    26 min
  6. Be Open to an International Career

    02/14/2024

    Be Open to an International Career

    Singapore-based Savita Iyer ('05) has worked in finance at the Walt Disney company for 15 years. But she's had so many opportunities in different roles worldwide that she doesn't feel like she'll ever get stuck doing the same thing for long. Now CFO of Southeast Asia and Head of Finance APAC Media Networks at The Walt Disney Company, Iyer was the commencement speaker for her FEMBA class at Anderson, and worked as a consultant in Sweden following graduation. She recommends that MBAs who want an international career be rigid in their goals but open to the path they take, and make it known early to employers that they're seeking assignments overseas.

    27 min
  7. Bridging Worlds

    01/17/2024

    Bridging Worlds

    Featuring: Jon Niermann ('95), Co-Founder and CEO, Loop Media Inc. From a pivotal leadership role at Disney to hosting a late-night show in China to co-founding Loop Media, Jon Niermann's ('95) professional journey transcends borders and defies convention. His unique and influential career is marked by cultural understanding and reciprocity.

    26 min
  8. Mastering the Craft

    06/23/2023

    Mastering the Craft

    Featuring: Melanie Auguste (MBA/J.D. '13), VP of Global Brand Narrative, Purpose and Athlete Marketing, Nike Melanie Auguste (MBA/J.D. '13) harbors a deep-seated passion for sports and a gift for understanding people and trends. From aspiring pro athlete to influential leader in the sports marketing industry, she transformed her career goals into her dream job at Nike. Her secret? Shift from thinking about your work as a "job" to viewing it as mastering a craft. It also helped that she found, in UCLA Anderson, a graduate school that valued exactly what she wanted to do.

    26 min
See All (27)

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Giving you an inside look into what business school is really like. Stories from current students and successful grads combined into a behind the scenes look at the UCLA Anderson MBA experience. Hosted by 2017 grad Alex Grodnik.

Information

  • Creator
    UCLA Anderson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    WHY MBA @ UCLA Anderson