Iwona Staniszewski
Penn State University, Smeal College of Business
Age: 45
“A leader with integrity, courage, self-awareness, and resilience who is inspired to succeed and pay it forward.”
Hometown: Moorestown, New Jersey
Family Members: Jarek (spouse), Marek (son), Darek (son)
Fun fact about yourself: I grew up in Warsaw, Poland, and came to the United States as a child. I enjoy spending time at the Jersey Shore and Siesta Key Beach in Florida. I also enjoy traveling to national parks and continue to check off places on my bucket list.
Undergraduate School and Degree: I have a BS in Architectural Engineering and MS in Civil Engineering from Drexel University; an Executive MBA from the Penn State Smeal College of Business, and I’m currently working on my Master of Supply Chain Management, which is delivered by Penn State World Campus and led by Smeal.
Where are you currently working? I work at Campbell’s, and I am a plant manager at an Ashland, Ohio, snack plant.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: I enjoy volunteering in community events.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am proud that I decided to continue my education after completing my MBA and pursue a Master of Supply Chain Management at Penn State. I did not see that coming when I entered the business school; however, I am proud of myself for finding the courage and determination to pursue my career dreams while still working full time and being a mom to my two sons.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am proud of a couple of achievements. First, I am a licensed structural engineer, and I became a technical engineering manager at the age of 33. As a female engineer, achieving this at a young age was something that I am very proud of doing.
Also, after 20 years in the technical field including 10 years in management, I made the decision to go back to school. I obtained an MBA and, through hard work and determination, successfully transitioned into the supply chain field. I became a plant manager at Campbell’s snack plant in Ashland, Ohio, for which I am very grateful to Campbell’s for the opportunity and support.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor was Don Hambrick who taught strategy implementation and organizational change. It was in his class that I realized how much I enjoy strategy implementation and learned the skills to apply at work.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose the Penn State Smeal College of Business because of its strong reputation for supply chain management as well as the University’ strong alumni network in engineering. It was very important to me that the University had strength in both fields.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? A great leader cares about people, but also is capable of making tough decisions when needed.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? It definitely was not easy. It required a lot of determination, dedication, and support from family, my employer and other students in the cohort.
What was your biggest regret in business school? I did not have any regrets.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire Brendan Bradley for his leadership, professionalism, and empathy.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I was looking for the in-person experience, and this EMBA was a perfect fit for me that I was able to fit with my busy work and family schedule.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My goal is to continue to grow within Campbell’s supply chain organization.
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