After being elected in late February as Co-Presidents of the Fuqua MBAA, Sarah Izzo and Mike Treiser (Fuqua, ‘21) were thrown into leading the student government and student body as the world and MBA programs began to navigate the challenges of COVID-19. I spoke to Sarah and Mike about their experience leading a student organization during this time, the highs and lows of the past few months, and how the strength of the Fuqua culture and values brought the community together during this difficult time. They also shared their advice to current MBA students, about how they could make the most of their MBA experience this year. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify today
Show Notes
- 1:26 – Backgrounds and Introductions
- 5:50 – March 2020 and Sarah and Mike’s response, personally and in leading MBAA
- 8:10 – Navigating and responding to the ad-hoc challenges that arose
- 10:50 – The importance of culture and values during times of challenge and uncertainty
- 12:31 – Seeing multiple perspectives and collaborating with different MBA stakeholders
- 14:31 – Highs and lows of leading MBAA over the past 6 months
- 17:34 – The Fuqua Pledge to Learn and Act, and Mike’s own pledge
- 19:50 – Why the Fuqua Pledge to Learn and Act was created
- 22:04 – Sarah’s highs and lows of leading over the past 6 months
- 26:00 – The energy and excitement of the MBA Class of 2022
- 27:32 – “Team Fuqua Tuesday” and it’s impact on strengthening the incoming class
- 32:25 – Sarah’s leadership lessons from leading the MBAA during these past few months
- 36:40 – What Sarah and Mike are excited about for this year
- 40:25 – Advice for 2nd Year MBA students (Hint: Choose Optimism!)
- 42:12 – Advice for 1st Year MBA students (Hint: Please go Fail!)
Links
- Sarah Izzo’s blogpost
- Mike Treiser’s blogpost
- Fuqua’s MBAA