Garrett Breeden, Columbia Business School MBA Class of 2026
Age: 30
Hometown: Sykesville, Maryland
Undergraduate Institution and Major: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (Finance)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 8 years of experience (6 years at National Football League, 2 years at Ames Watson Capital)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I’m a firm believer in investing in yourself and in higher education, and an MBA represented the chance to do both. If and when I attended business school, I wanted it to provide the most leverage – in terms of having enough prior skills & life experiences and being an inflection point to build a strong network and elevate my career.
Why did you choose CBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Two primary reasons (although there were many others). (1) Location – I underestimated what it meant to be at the ‘very center of business.’ The high caliber of professors and guest speakers. In-semester internships and coffee chats with alums are not a remote possibility, but instead a subway ride downtown. Not to mention the fun that comes with living in New York City and ease with which you can travel in / out of the city. (2) Investment in the Future – The brand-new Manhattanville campus is stunning. It’s clear that Columbia is investing in resources for students to be successful, and the program has significant momentum.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
My 8 years of professional experience across two industries (sports and private equity), along with my undergraduate business background have given me a great platform to contribute in & out of the classroom and connect with peers.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’ve attended a game at 26 of 32 NFL stadiums.
Post-MBA career interests:
Investment Management
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Tell your authentic story and lean into what makes you unique. When you do, your passion shines through and you become a genuine person that a hypothetical classmate wants to meet, share a coffee with, or work with you on a club board.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Just start! The process can feel daunting and there’s never going to be a perfect moment to start. For weeks I talked myself out of writing my essays because I didn’t feel like I had the perfect story. Turns out, no one does. Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities for fear of failure.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Waiting for interview invites / admissions decisions to be released is nerve-wracking. Taking a moment to reflect that adding additional pressure on myself at this stage wouldn’t change the outcome either way.
What is your initial impression of the CBS students/culture/community?
One of the most impressive communities I’ve been a part of. At Columbia Business School, so much learning takes place outside of a formal classroom. I have classmates who have lived in places I’ve never visited or worked at companies I didn’t know existed, and the interactions I’m having are more impactful as a result of the professional / life experiences we’ve had since undergrad.
What is one thing you have learned about CBS that has surprised you?
I couldn’t imagine myself going to business school anywhere else. Columbia Business School is the perfect fit for who I am, where I am in my life & career, and what I hope to achieve.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Returning to the classroom and taking exams after 8 years in the corporate world is an adjustment. That being said, the learning environment is incredibly supportive with first-year students taking core courses alongside the same ~75 classmates, allowing for deeper and more meaningful connections.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The access that Columbia Business School provides is unparalleled. Just this past week, I met the founder of a popular wellness brand who spoke at an intimate fireside chat during lunchtime. As I left the event, several classmates and I remarked how special it was to read and discuss cases during class, and then hear from guest speakers grappling with the same sorts of decisions in real life.
