Leah Jack, Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2021
Age: 36
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Undergraduate institution and major: Florida State University, Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Applied Economics
Pre-MBA work experience: Corporate Development Program Analyst, J.P. Morgan, Financial Services, 2011-2014; Investor Services Product Solutions Associate, J.P. Morgan, Financial Services, 2014-2015; Investor Services Product Associate, J.P. Morgan, Financial Services, 2015-2016; Program Manager, Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, Education, 2016-2017; Director of Business Operations, Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, Education, 2017-2018; Director of Special Projects, DeeTee Freight Enterprises, Shipping and Logistics 2018-2019
Post-MBA role: School Business Manager, Athol-Royalston Regional School District, Education, 2021-2023; Project Manager, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Education, 2023-Present
Why did you pursue an MBA?
I eventually found myself pursuing an MBA for two main reasons. The first was to further hone my skills in organizational and financial management. Leading up to grad school, I was able to take on a large amount of responsibility quickly. The work felt intuitive, but I understood that there was much more to leading an organization. The second reason was a realization that I needed time away from the stresses of a full-time job to grow personally. Throughout my life, I internalized the mantra of working hard, but I’m not sure that I was ever encouraged to advocate for myself or feel comfortable speaking up until well into my undergraduate experience. I’m definitely better at these things now, but it’s not second nature. So, I decided to pursue a full-time MBA where I could spend two years investing in myself both personally and professionally.
Why did you choose Dartmouth Tuck for your MBA? What factors figured most prominently into your decision?
Tuck has an amazing community. After every recruiting event, I could reflect on meaningful connections with current and prospective students, staff, and alumni. I felt comfortable bringing my full self to Tuck. By the time I was ready to apply, I knew that I could explore my interests in education. The proximity to western Massachusetts was also a factor given my ties to the area.
Why have you pursued a career in social impact?
The 2016 election is what moved me to pursue a career in education. After processing my feelings about the outcome, I decided to take action by looking for ways to influence change. Education felt like the place where I could do that. My hope is that in some small way, I can promote a society where children from all backgrounds experience a full and rewarding life.
What offerings at Tuck, specifically, supported your work in social impact? And how did they do so?
In my first year at Tuck, the flexible schedule gave me space to do some independent consulting for an education nonprofit. Earlier in that year, I participated in the community consulting program and was the project manager for my First Year Project. So, when the opportunity presented itself, I felt confident in my ability to help the Executive Director with what they needed. Also in my first year, I was selected to be an associate with the Center for Business, Government & Society (CBGS). My group was the only one able to co-host an event and our focus was on historical disruptions to education. It felt right given the impacts we were all feeling from COVID. As a board fellow with CBGS in my second year, I was able to set up a new partnership with a local school district. I also participated in an education practicum, which I was able to do because of Tuck’s partnership with the Columbia Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL). As the project manager of my small working group, I was able to guide our interdisciplinary team through the successful completion of a research project for an education advocacy nonprofit. This is just a sample of the many ways in which I was able to explore my interests in education while at Tuck.
What advice do you have for prospective MBAs considering MBA programs and planning on having a social impact in their careers?
To prospective MBAs considering a career in social impact, I encourage you to:
1. Take as much time as you can to explore your area(s) of interest. Using the time before and/or during your MBA to try new things is a great way to see what you like and don’t like in a safe and relatively low-stakes environment.
2. Consider more than salary when thinking through your future career path. Finances can play a significant role in what you feel comfortable doing post-graduation, but I encourage you to look at roles of interest in social impact as well as the private sector. You might be pleasantly surprised at the direct, indirect, and non-monetary compensation you can earn in that field.
