Lacie Pierre, CBS MBA Class of 2022
Age: 29
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of California, Merced
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 1 Year at Energy startup as an Energy Engineer; 5 Years @ Accenture in Supply Chain, Operations, and Sustainability Strategy
Why CBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Columbia Business School’s (CBS) global emphasis is advantageous for my long-term aspirations, particularly programs through the Tamer Center and Columbia’s proximity to and collaboration with the United Nations.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
I Co-founded the Coalition for Constructive Change (C3) with fellow CBS22 classmate Michelle Dhansinghani to mobilize our classmates against the violence toward Black Lives. C3 is a collective of over 200 CSB22 students who acknowledge privilege as Ivy League students and accept responsibility as future business leaders to educate ourselves on social justice issues and stand up for Black and marginalized communities. The C3’s mission is to organize, mobilize, and hold the CBS student body and administration accountable in addressing the injustices impacting our community. We raised ~$30,000 for The Bail Fund and are standing up a formal allyship and anti-racist program in collaboration with stakeholders across the CBS community. As one of the top business institutions in the world, Columbia Business School is creating and shaping the next generation of leaders that will run businesses across the globe and shape our future post the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the responsibility of students, future leaders, the university, and the corporate institutions it feeds to use its collective power to create a more equitable and just world.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I went volcano boarding in Nicaragua during a solo trip in Central America! I peaked at 80 mph on the way down and found relief in a Toña at the base.
Post-MBA career interests?
My passion for environmental engineering, experience in consulting, and skills I will build at CBS have inspired my career goals to deploy capital and talent with the intent to positively transform climate and infrastructure in the United States and abroad. My long-term dream job is to lead the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to drive sustainable investments, boost financial returns, and develop equitable strategies to create a global impact on climate change and infrastructure.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Therapy! MBA applications are demanding, require a high degree of self-inquiry/clarity, and serve as the genesis of a major life change. I was working as a full-time traveling consultant, planning a wedding, and an MLT MBA Prep fellow so leaning on my therapist was critical to remain mentally and physically well and true to MY path.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Connecting with alumni is important during this application and decision process. Generally, applicants connect with current students and recent alumni who provide current information, which is extremely valuable. However, I found much value in reaching out to alumni who are 10+ years out. These alumni provide valuable insight on the long-term/lifelong value of the CBS MBA given they can speak to the strength of the brand and network within my field of interest. They were also willing to mentor me and said I should’ve reached out sooner for guidance! In retrospect, I suggest applications diversify their alumni outreach before applying – focus on current students, alumni in roles that match your short term goals and include alumni who are in positions/roles you seek to obtain in the long term. CBS alums were VERY responsive and really want to help!
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Prepping for GRE / GMAT while working as a full time traveling consultant is not easy, I wish this is something that I could’ve skipped or breezed over! My husband was extremely supportive in addition my MLT coach and cohort kept me accountable to sticking with it and held space for me to commiserate. Get a support group of like-minded and empathetic friends to keep you going. Equally important for me was setting boundaries on test prep, it’s critical to still make time for stress-relieving activities, friends, and family. Remember that you’re not defined by your test scores!
Bonus tip – figuring out how you intend to finance your MBA might not be enjoyable. I highly recommend applicants get a financial planner prior to applications to get a game plan together OR create one yourself and stick to it.
What is your initial impression of CBS’s students/culture/community?
My classmates want me to win! The CBS 22 community has shown an unprecedented level of willingness to take action and have difficult conversations around racial injustice and inequality in America. There remains work to do, but this isn’t something I expected and I’m excited about the leaders we will be! Many have stepped up as allies and have demonstrated their willingness to do work
One thing you have learned about CBS that has surprised you?
The CBS core is challenging and rigorous. I’m genuinely amazed at the formal and informal support systems and networks to which I have access. Weekly review sessions for every core course, weekly homework sessions with my amazing learning team, study groups within my cluster, and study groups within affinity clubs have been an incredible safety net and further validates the non-competitive learning environment. With finals coming up, I’ve seen first hand an increase in second-year students offering to tutor in group or 1-1 settings and review sessions for each course led by the TAs. Everyone at CBS wants you to do well, all questions are welcome! It’s a very safe space to learn. This energy is also equally matched on the networking and recruiting side, people are ALWAYS willing to chat, prep, and open their networks to you.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I was anxious about the impact COVID would have on my first-year experience. I must honestly commend CBS and the broader Columbia community for delivering an amazing experience during such unprecedented levels of disruption. The effort to deliver a safe Hyflex model where students can join in person or remotely has enabled a transition where we’re truly all in this together. Faculty clearly made efforts to adjust their styles to teach in this new model and the broader community is intentional about providing resources to ensure students are fully supported during this time. The shift to mostly virtual has enabled clubs/event leads to extend beyond normal boundaries as such I’ve enjoyed hearing from incredible speakers from across the globe. Recruiting in this format has also made a very smooth transition, employers are still very much looking to engage with CBS students and have demonstrated a lot of flexibility during this time of disruption. There also remains regular networking and career opportunity sharing within the various career-centric clubs. Opportunities abound in the midst of the pandemic at CBS and that has truly quelled my anxiety.
Things you are most excited about in your first year?
This sounds cliche, but I’m most excited about getting outside of my comfort zone, uncovering things that make each of my classmates unique – especially those in Cluster B, and helping my peers be successful! The shared COVID experience has enabled us to develop a new set of social and emotional skills and has brought us even closer together than one might expect. I’ve formed great relationships via cluster leadership, competitions, club leadership, virtual supper clubs, safe outdoor park activities, etc. to be very meaningful ways to get to know my fellow classmates.
