Julia Joy Pirro, Tuck MBA Class of 2020
Age: 33
Hometown: Newton, MA
Undergraduate institution and major: Washington U. in St. Louis, Economics & Strategy
Pre-MBA work experience: Mathematica (think tank); Health policy, federal contractor for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Program Analyst (2017-2018); Program Associate (2015-2017)
Post-MBA role (position, company, industry, dates): CVS Health (2020-2022) Care delivery; chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, Program Design & Management / CVS Kidney Care / Senior Manager (2020-2022); Commercialization / CVS Kidney Care / Lead Director (2022); Diana Health (2022-2023) Maternal health, women’s health, Director of Strategy & Business Development (2022-2023); Zerigo Health (2023-current) Dermatology, autoimmune conditions; medical device; care delivery, Revenue operations / business development / sales enablement; Pulpdent Corporation (2023-current) Dental supply; oral health; manufacturing, Family business; Treasurer
Why did you pursue an MBA?
During my time at Mathematica, I quickly realized that the challenges that most energized me – the ones that I found myself thinking about on the weekends – were not about health policy. They were all around leadership: how to better manage a team or lead a project. I wasn’t sure exactly where I wanted to take my career, but I knew I wanted to be an impactful healthcare leader.
Why did you choose Dartmouth Tuck for your MBA? What factors figured most prominently into your decision?
I knew that if I was going to leave the workforce for two years, it needed to be worthwhile – you hear a lot about the ROI of an MBA, but I also knew I wanted to come out a better version of myself than I’d entered. A visit to Hanover made clear that Tuck would be invested in both my professional and personal development. Tuck’s leadership orientation seemed like a good fit for my goals. The Center for Health Care felt personal and robust. And the alumni network felt like I’d be joining a community larger that myself.
Why have you pursued a career in healthcare?
I fell into healthcare by accident. When I joined Mathematica I was placed in the healthcare practice and never looked back. It’s a complicated landscape made up of competing market forces, each with their own incentives and restrictions. My intention for business school was to stay in healthcare but pivot from public to private sector. Now that I’ve dabbled across sectors, from Fortune 10 to mid-market to series A, my appreciation of those competing nuances has only grown. I don’t think I ever truly considered a career that didn’t have a mission tied to it, but I still feel so fortunately that healthcare continues to fulfill and intellectually challenge me 10+ years later.
What offerings at Tuck, specifically, supported your healthcare career? And how did they do so?
- Alumni: If there’s one thing Tuck is known for, it’s our alumni. It’s a function of being in a remote location sharing a common experience, but it really is the gift that keeps on giving. I clearly remember sitting in a roundtable discussion with Liam Donohue, Founder and Managing Partner of .406 Ventures, when he mentioned his fund’s focus “tech-enabled [healthcare] services.” I’d never heard that phrase before, but it perfectly captured the work I was looking to do. Fast forward a few years, I had the privilege of working at one of .406’s portfolio companies.
- Nonprofit Board Fellowship: As a nonprofit board fellow, I had the opportunity to sit on the board of an Upper Valley health clinic during my second year. One of my projects was an EMR integration, which taught me lessons about provider workflows and change management that I still call upon today. However, the most memorable part of the fellowship was during the spring term – I experienced first-hand the impossible decisions that a local healthcare provider had to make during the beginning of the pandemic.
What advice do you have for prospective MBAs considering MBA programs and entering the healthcare space?
Stay curious! Even if you know exactly what you want to do post-grad, take this opportunity to learn about different segments and forces within the health ecosystem. Want to work in the care delivery space? Take the time to learn about pharma and FDA approval anyway. Have an offer with a Fortune 500 health plan? It’s still worthwhile to learn about the PE / VC landscape. You have incomparable access to resources during these two years, so take advantage of it.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m a huge women’s health nerd and love to connect with others who are innovating in or passionate about the space.
