Jennifer Schretter
University of Virginia, Darden School of Business
No one can say that Jennifer Schretter wasn’t busy or effective during her EMBA stint at Darden. Along with working at Goldman Sachs and running her own startup, she was the co-head of the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club and a member of the Darden Capital Management Club, Retail and Luxury Goods Club, and the Graduate Women in Business. In addition, she was one of the forces behind Darden’s partnership with 1776, a global incubator located in Washington, DC. As a graduate, her goals are equally ambitious: “To be an innovator and a leader, to create meaningful impact and measurable value, to be passionate about my life’s work, and to leave a legacy.”
Age: 30
Location: Washington, DC
Family Members: Jim and Nancy Schretter (parents), Katie Schretter (sister)
Undergraduate School: Boston College
Undergraduate Degree: B.A., Sociology
Where are you currently working? Goldman Sachs, Investment Management Associate
“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I started and managed my company, KOLTON.J, at 25 with no business or industry experience. I realized that while you can learn-as-you-go, business school provides an enterprise perspective and cohesive tool kit to prime managerial success.”
“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…more limited in my potential. I have learned a lot about business and myself as a person.”
What are your long-term professional goals? To be an innovator and a leader, to create meaningful impact and measurable value, to be passionate about my life’s work, and to leave a legacy.
Favorite Courses: Leading Strategic Change, General Management, Business Ethics, Entrepreneurial Thinking, and Marketing
Which academic or professional achievements are you most proud of? Launching a company out of consumer demand with a core of social impact that reached a total audience of 120 million+ through earned editorial (with no advertising or marketing expenditure). Accepting an opportunity with Goldman Sachs in Investment Management in Washington, DC. Working with alumni, classmates, and the Batten Institute to launch Darden’s partnership with 1776, a global incubator located in DC.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? It would be my family for their support and for serving as my role models.
Why did you choose this executive MBA program? The faculty and staff are unparalleled, as is the sense of community within the cohort, E-MBA program, and Darden as a whole. The case method provides an ideal training ground for the realities of business and leadership, and effectively promotes key skills and behavior such as listening, teamwork, and assertiveness, in addition to the learned subject material. Most importantly, the people of Darden make the school what it is and for that reason alone, I could not be more proud to have chosen this school and this program.
What did you enjoy most about the executive MBA program? Having the opportunity to meet people that I deeply admire and respect. The professional expertise and mix of the cohort in conjunction with the design of the EMBA program allows for a rich learning experience with immediate applicability of learned concepts. The faculty made the classes fun and dynamic.
What is your most memorable moment from business school? Our EMBA trip to China. It was an incredible bonding and learning experience for our cohort. The lessons and perspectives on global business and entrepreneurship gleaned from this trip proved very insightful. Our cohort dinner overlooking the Great Wall was the perfect ending to our experience.
Fun fact about yourself: I learned math and science in Japanese from first to seventh grade and met the Emperor of Japan as part of a Japanese immersion program.
Favorite book: Liar’s Poker
Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting
Favorite musical performer: Capital Cities
Favorite television show: Modern Family and Game of Thrones
Favorite vacation spot: Italy and the Outer Banks, North Carolina
What are your hobbies? Running, hiking, playing with my Golden Retriever, and being with friends and family
Twitter Handle: @jennyschretter /
What made Jennifer such an invaluable addition to the class of 2015 for your executive MBA program?
“I am writing on behalf of Jennifer Schretter. Jenny was a student of mine and brought a unique focus and perspective to class that differentiated her from her classmates. Her comments in class always added a unique value .She is both mindful and creative thereby enriching the class with her comments. Every student in her class was quite good and yet Jenny stood apart with ideas she presented. She created value for her classmates and the whole learning process.”
– Alec Horniman, Professor
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