Rachel M.
Alumnus at Portland State University
Class of 2019
Current: Klamath Falls, OR
Major: Master of Business Administration
Alumnus at Portland State University
Class of 2019
Current: Klamath Falls, OR
Major: Master of Business Administration
Just go for it! There is never a "perfect" time to go back to school, and it can feel daunting to try to find the time to do your research and submit your applications. But once you start the process of thinking through your motivations and connecting with others about the process it gets so much easier. You'll learn a lot about yourself in the journey and those first steps that seem so intimidating will ultimately pay off.
My background is in the transportation sector. I spent the first five years of my career managing sustainable commuter programs for Stanford University, where I collaborated across departments such as HR and procurement, managed vendor relationships, and supervised administrative staff for program development and implementation. Following my move to Portland in 2015, I led business development and collaborated closely with marketing and strategy at a commuter rideshare startup. Through that experience I saw an opportunity to leverage the private sector to advance sustainability, and this is what led me to the Portland MBA. I hold a BA in Spanish from the University of Oregon as well as an MS in Transportation Technology and Policy from UC Davis.
My experience with the Portland MBA has provided me with a unique perspective around sustainability in business. A strong sustainability orientation is embedded into the core curriculum of the program in a way that I think is unparalleled by other MBA programs. Almost every class has incorporated engaging conversations around stakeholder theory and the evolving role of sustainability in capitalism. I have had plenty of opportunity to apply these theories around corporate sustainability outside the classroom, as well. My involvement with Net Impact and the B Impact program has allowed me to plug into the thriving Portland B Corp community, which has helped me to develop my network in Portland in a way that simply would not have been possible at any other school.
I aspire to work my way into a leadership position within the growing community of values-based and mission-driven businesses in the Portland area. I am passionate about using the private sector as a framework for rapidly advancing progressive values, and I hope to harness this passion to continue to contribute to the B Corp movement in a meaningful way.