Donna Keefe

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University

“Energetic and optimistic leader, embodying grit and positivity; a passionate, laser-focused learner, radiating joy and curiosity.”

Hometown: Frisco, Texas

Family Members: I am deeply thankful for the rich tapestry of my blended family, which includes my supportive husband and our 10 children. Whether through birth or adoption, each one of our children brings unique and irreplaceable joy to our family. I am equally blessed to share life with my caring brother and sister and their spouses. My heartfelt appreciation also goes to my parents for their boundless love and sacrifices to ensure we had a solid foundation to thrive.

Fun fact about yourself: A skill passed down from my father enables me to wake up without an alarm. Yet, when I mentioned seeking a fun fact, my son quickly highlighted a more festive trait: I am a New Year’s baby, with my arrival celebrated worldwide!

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of California at Riverside, Economics

Where are you currently working? NCR Atleos, Global Strategy and Solutions Leader

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles: As the co-site leader for one of our organization’s largest employee locations, I lead initiatives that enhance employee engagement, support community projects, foster innovation, and facilitate career development. I serve on our company’s security council, focusing on implementing robust safeguards to protect our global assets. I serve on NCR Foundation’s membership committee, directing our corporate philanthropy and overseeing impactful contributions, including a notable partnership with Out Teach, which helps educators transform the outdoors into science learning labs.  My interests include playing tennis, staying active, and enjoying action movies.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Persisting through an academic program during a tumultuous time at my company—navigating an acquisition and later a spin-off—is a testament to my commitment. The program’s rigorous curriculum resonated with my professional challenges, enabling me to integrate complex concepts into my daily work, culminating in achieving a near-perfect GPA.

I take pride in having participated in a healthcare case competition with two classmates. We crafted innovative solutions in an unfamiliar industry, demonstrating the value of the Cornell Executive MBA Americas program’s emphasis on adaptable teamwork. Our advance to the final round, amid competitors from 40 distinguished institutions, was not just a personal victory, but a reflection of our collective growth and the robust training program.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of the tangible innovations I had a role in that have resulted in patent applications. But innovating isn’t just about ideas; it’s also about people. My passion extends to the cultivation of high-caliber teams. From laying down the foundational values to guiding their evolution into industry trailblazers, I have found gratification in establishing a culture of excellence and setting a standard of leadership.

I believe my most significant achievements are still to come. I see each new initiative as an opportunity to drive greater innovation, stronger leadership, and wider impacts. This outlook keeps me motivated to tackle new challenges and pursue ambitious goals.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Selecting a favorite professor from my EMBA program is difficult, as each has significantly influenced my professional growth. I gained valuable insights from every class, and they enhanced my personal and leadership skills. However, if I were to highlight the professors who made enduring impressions and whose teachings continue to occupy my mind, they would include the following:

* Professor Beta Mannix, in Managing and Leading Organizations, she imparted valuable lessons in conversation competence, team dysfunction resolution, and gaining organizational visibility.

* Professor Ori Heffetz, in Global Macroeconomics, he instilled a rigorous analytical approach, training us to concisely summarize articles and swiftly communicate the critical impacts of business events.

* Professor Yao Cui, in Operations Management, he taught us tools for enhancing efficiency in processes and business practices.

* Professor Risa Mish, in Critical Thinking, she transformed my approach to problem-solving and decision-making so that I consistently account for contextual factors and identify and neutralize biases.

Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose this school’s executive MBA program for its Ivy League reputation and global reach, attracting a diverse cohort of students worldwide. The team-based learning pedagogy, world-class professors, and strong alumni network align with my aspiration for a comprehensive and collaborative educational experience. The program’s structure, which includes bi-weekly boardroom meetings in my city and four immersive residential sessions in New York and Canada, provides the ideal balance of face-to-face interaction and real-world application. Cornell University’s partnership with Queen’s University gives access to the alumni networks and resources from two highly regarded universities.

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA, and how did you apply it at work? The main lesson I’ve learned is the profound value of perpetual learning. My career, spanning over 20 years across two leading global organizations, has provided me with a firm footing in the business world, and my forays into innovation and product development have broadened my operational perspective. Nevertheless, the MBA program presented numerous “aha” moments. For example, Professor Robert Bloomfield’s Management Accounting course expanded on methodologies for allocating costs across an organization. This heightened my awareness of the methodologies used by my company, causing me to evaluate our overall approach with a refined and analytical lens.

Another course that had a significant impact on me is Investment Banking Essentials by Professor Drew Pascarella. Delving into the intricacies of Enterprise Values and dissecting the mechanics of Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs) allowed me to connect the dots within my own company. The course illuminated the pivotal role of the capital market and the profound effects of debt. It helped me understand more deeply why our recently formed enterprise underwent a significant transformation: it split into two publicly traded companies in less than two years. Professor Pascarella also seamlessly integrated current information into his lectures, ensuring that we grasped real-world concepts.

The most profound insight came from understanding that business decision-making is an art that marries complex data with the subtler nuances of human behavior and strategic innovation. Mastering this art would require more than just economic savvy or financial expertise; it necessitated an appreciation for the broader strokes of organizational development and strategy. For example, reinstituting a return-to-office policy required our company’s leaders to understand the hurdles that would prevent a successful transition. We held listening sessions with employees and provided a forum where they felt heard. In parallel, we launched culture crews composed of and led by employee volunteers to generate ideas for employee engagement.

The executive MBA instilled a renewed appreciation for the dynamism of learning. It underscored that no matter one’s experience, an infinite landscape of knowledge remains to navigate and apply.

Give us a story about how you juggled work, family, and education during your executive MBA program. Juggling multiple priorities is the norm rather than the exception for many of us. Hence, I approached the task of balancing work, family, and an EMBA program with a deliberate strategy. It was crucial to align my activities with my core strengths. For instance, leveraging my prowess in organizing, I manage our finances, while my “master chef” husband’s culinary talents meant meal prep was his arena. This spirit of teamwork permeated our EMBA group projects in the Dallas boardroom, where we allocated tasks based on each member’s forte yet allowed room for growth by rotating leadership roles.

Scheduled downtime and fitness activities were vital to my well-being. Embracing the wisdom that every season has its time (Ecclesiastes 3:1), I apply the adage “carpe diem” to make the most of every opportunity. These practices transformed a demanding schedule, especially during residential sessions, into an enriching experience punctuated by memorable activities post-class, from axe-throwing to pickleball.

Managing our time was particularly challenging during our team’s trip to London for our Global Business Project in October 2023. That was the same month my company split into two entities, and I was launching a new initiative that required me to travel domestically to our global headquarters for customer briefings. The week of our GBP travel, geopolitical unrest affected the travel plans for two classmates. This required pivoting our field research schedule. It required extensive planning across all fronts.

On top of that, we had a class scheduled on the day of our arrival in London, which required active participation from our team to debrief a case. Our flexibility and our plan for success helped us achieve our goals and not skip a beat.

What advice would you give to a student seeking an executive MBA program? Pursuing an executive MBA is a significant commitment, requiring a clear sense of purpose. It’s crucial to understand why you’re embarking on this journey, as this “why” will be your beacon.

When advising a prospective student, I emphasize the need for introspection.

• Reflect deeply on your personal and professional goals.
• Assess whether the EMBA aligns with your long-term vision.
• Prepare for the demanding nature of the program—it will test your time management skills, resilience, and dedication.
• Remember that the knowledge and networks you’ll gain are invaluable assets.

Knowing your core motivation will help you persevere. The hard work is not just for immediate gain, but for substantial, lifelong returns.

What was your biggest regret in business school? I sometimes wish I had joined the program earlier. Enrolling close to the start date thrust me into the thick of things right at the outset. This left me scrambling to keep up with the readings during our first residential session, and I missed several post-class activities. These residential sessions were not just educational, but also vital for building networks. They were complemented by planned social activities that encouraged cohort bonding. Fortunately, this wasn’t our only residential session, and the program offered opportunities for engagement through our bi-weekly classes, interactive breakout sessions and team projects.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? In a cohort brimming with diverse talents and perspectives, each classmate brought something unique to the table. From sharing rich experiences and knowledge to overcoming personal and professional challenges, I’ve found admirable qualities in all of them. Like a parent who sees unique strengths in each child, I value my classmates’ different contributions, making it impossible for me to single out one individual.

What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? Choosing an executive MBA program was a deliberate decision driven by my desire for an immersive educational environment that aligns with my professional experience and integrates seamlessly with my life as a working executive. I also sought to engage with peers who bring comparable work insights, fostering mutual learning beyond academic theory. The in-person dynamic was critical for the level of interaction I sought. Finally, the structure ensures completion within a defined period, which appealed to my goal-oriented nature

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My core life philosophy is, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” This reflects my unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and expansion—personally and professionally. I aim to foster environments where innovation, education and development are fundamental to the culture. I plan to instill this growth-oriented mindset as I aspire to reach the C-suite, ensuring that the business surpasses its goals and evolves relentlessly in its journey toward excellence.

DON’T MISS: BEST & BRIGHTEST EXECUTIVE MBAS OF 2024