Mana Yamaguchi

UCLA, Anderson School of Management

Age: 34

“A small but mighty changemaker whose relentless optimism and infectious energy are undeniable.”

Hometown: Fairfax, VA

Family Members: Kong Sham (Husband), Teruyo (mom), Yoichiro (dad), Takeshi (brother), Naoto (brother)

Fun fact about yourself: I used to be a stunt jump roper who performed at NBA halftime shows. My highest double-under count was 223.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Vanderbilt University, Political Science Major

Where are you currently working? Vice President, Global Marketing Strategy at Lionsgate

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: EMBA Bi-weekly section Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Representative

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of an initiative I was part of through the EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) council, which aimed to enhance the mother’s room experience on campus. This effort began in Professor John Ullmen’s class, Five Essential Stories of a Leader” following a powerful story shared by a classmate. She had recently become a mother while pursuing her MBA and highlighted the need for a more inclusive environment for expecting and current mothers within our community.

Recognizing that our EMBA class included many incredible women balancing motherhood with their studies, we saw a unique opportunity to support them. Our goal was to create a welcoming and well-equipped mother’s room and to establish a supportive community for future generations at Anderson. The project brought together many women from our class and staff who worked tirelessly to secure an EDI grant and implement these changes.

The success of this initiative and the community’s enthusiasm in supporting it were truly inspiring. Being able to contribute to making Anderson a more inclusive place, especially for women balancing their educational aspirations with motherhood, is an achievement I hold close to my heart.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of my most cherished professional achievements was working on the movie Joy Ride, which was released in theaters last July. As someone deeply committed to promoting inclusive content in Hollywood, this project was particularly close to my heart. From the moment I first read the script, I was convinced of its potential to make a significant impact. Joy Ride broke stereotypes and represented the AAPI community in a light that was authentic, humorous, messy, and joyful—depictions that are seldom seen in “mainstream” media.

This project gained even more significance as it coincided with a rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community during the COVID pandemic. At a time when social media was flooded with distressing images of these attacks, working on Joy Ride felt like an opportunity to counteract the negativity with joy, pride, and levity. I even had the honor of naming the movie, which was a personal highlight for me.

The true reward came when the movie was released, and I heard feedback from friends and viewers who felt that it had empowered them to embrace and express their true selves. Hearing someone say that Joy Ride gave them the confidence to stop hiding and be authentically themselves underscored the profound impact that inclusive content can have on individuals and communities. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of film to bring people together and influence cultural perceptions positively.

Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose UCLA’s Executive MBA program because it perfectly aligns with my career aspirations and personal values. As someone who advanced quickly in my career, I was seeking a program that not only provided a robust core MBA curriculum but also placed a strong emphasis on developing leadership skills. My background is in marketing, but I realized that to be a truly successful and inclusive leader, I needed to develop skills around sustainable team leadership practices.

Additionally, I was deeply invested in upskilling myself as a leader who can operate at the center of tech and entertainment, and UCLA boasts significant strengths in both of these areas. With robust programs like the Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Entertainment & Sports (MEMES) and the Easton Technology Management Center, UCLA stands out as the only institution offering such a rich blend of resources and expertise directly accessible to students.

The culture at UCLA Anderson was also a major draw. From my first interaction with the recruiting team to conversations with alumni, I encountered a welcoming, diverse, and inspiring community. The focus on leadership, the caliber of individuals I met, and the extensive curriculum solidified my decision to enroll. The experience has been incredibly fulfilling, confirming that UCLA’s Executive MBA was the perfect choice for advancing my professional journey.

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The most transformative lesson I learned during my MBA was the concept of contextual leadership, which was a concept that Professor Terry Kramer taught in his Technology Management class. This approach taught me that effective leadership requires understanding the broader environment in which a business operates, including market trends, customer needs, competitive dynamics, regulatory constraints, and the internal state of the company. Grasping this big picture is crucial for making strategic decisions that are not only timely but are deeply informed and considered.

I applied this lesson immediately in my professional role, where swift and effective decision-making is a daily requirement. For instance, when deciding the optimal timing for launching a trailer or planning budgets, I now incorporate a comprehensive analysis of all relevant factors. This method allows me to pivot our plans with agility and precision, ensuring that our company not only reacts to current events but also strategically aligns with broader business goals and market conditions.

Contextual leadership has empowered me to show up as a leader who not only thinks big but also drives decisions that are well-informed and robust. This approach has enhanced my ability to guide our team towards achieving impactful results, reinforcing the value of a holistic perspective in leadership.

Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? During my second year in the program, I embarked on a deeply personal and challenging journey—I started the IVF process. This required me to manage evening injections, which coincided with my classes. Particularly daunting was my first injection, scheduled during one of my evening electives. I typically am reluctant to ask for exceptions, so I found it difficult to request the option to attend this class virtually so that I could do my first shots in the comfort of my own home. However, I reached out to the program manager and my professors and, to my relief, they were incredibly supportive and accommodating.

At the same time, I was navigating a significant professional transition, onboarding with a new team and learning a new role at work. Balancing these professional and personal challenges during my MBA was daunting, but what saw me through was the unwavering support of my husband, my best friend, and close friends I made at UCLA.

This period taught me an invaluable lesson about the power of community and support. It reinforced that you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone; having a caring and supportive network is essential. This experience not only helped me manage my responsibilities but also deepened my appreciation for the people in my life.

What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Embarking on an Executive MBA program is a significant commitment that encompasses various aspects of your life, including work, family, and education. Here’s some advice based on my personal experience:

1. Communicate Frequently: Over-communication is key, both at work and at home. I had a supportive manager who respected my boundary of not being available after 6 PM, and I made it a point to communicate my needs early and often. This practice helps in managing expectations and in securing ongoing support from your colleagues and managers.

2. Make the Most of Your Time: Remember, two years will pass quickly. Engage fully and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Participate in case competitions to collaborate with a diverse group of peers. Embrace opportunities outside your core curriculum, like global immersion trips. My trips to Chile, India, and Singapore were not only educational but also life-changing, broadening my perspective and opening up new global possibilities.

3. Leverage and Share Your Experience: As an executive student, you bring valuable industry knowledge and experience to the table. Be confident in sharing your insights in the classroom. At the same time, remain humble and open to learning from others. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of your peers are a goldmine of knowledge and can greatly enrich your learning.

Embarking on an Executive MBA is about more than just acquiring knowledge; it’s about growing as a person and a professional. Embrace the journey with openness and commitment, and you’ll find the rewards extend far beyond the classroom.

What was your biggest regret in business school? Looking back on my time in business school, my biggest regret is perhaps not stepping further outside of my comfort zone academically. I chose many electives based on personal interest, which were immensely enjoyable and provided valuable networking opportunities with peers across various industries. These courses certainly inspired me and helped shape my career aspirations.

However, I sometimes wonder if I should have challenged myself more by diving into areas where I’m not as naturally skilled, such as finance. Taking more rigorous courses in a discipline that doesn’t come easily to me might have strengthened my skills in a domain where I feel less confident. Expanding my expertise in such areas could have provided a more well-rounded educational experience and potentially broadened my professional capabilities even further.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? One classmate I truly admire from my MBA program is Asia Jordan. Asia came into the program with a formidable background in finance and an equally impressive personal journey. Not only is she exceptionally intelligent, but she also exudes warmth and compassion in every interaction. Her ability to connect with others and facilitate connections between people is nothing short of a superpower.

Whenever she sees a potential for partnership or collaboration, she is the first to bring those parties together. Asia’s story is particularly inspiring. As a Jamaican immigrant and a single mother, she has navigated numerous challenges in life, all while building a successful career and maintaining a vibrant, passionate approach to life. During our MBA program, she even welcomed her first grandchild, balancing her demanding schoolwork with planning a baby shower and supporting her daughter and son-in-law. Her resilience and zest for life make her not just a super mom but also a super classmate and a person I deeply respect and look up to. Every interaction with her is filled with wisdom and joy, making her a standout individual in any crowd.

What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives primarily for the immersive, in-person experience it offers. The opportunity to engage directly, debate, and connect with classmates and professors in real time was crucial for me. I greatly value the dynamic of live interactions and the depth of learning that occurs when you can discuss and engage in-person rather than a screen full of zoom faces.

Additionally, although I had initially planned to pursue an MBA earlier in my career, I had to delay this program due to personal circumstances. This delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise. By the time I enrolled in the executive MBA program, I had gained a significant amount of work experience, which greatly enriched my appreciation of the coursework. Being surrounded by peers who were experts in their fields transformed the learning environment into a dual experience, where we learned from both the faculty and each other. This context made the executive MBA the ideal choice for me, providing a more profound and impactful educational journey.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to break through the so-called “bamboo ceiling” and become a C-level executive at the intersection of tech and entertainment. Despite Asian Americans representing 9% of Senior Vice Presidents, they only account for 5% of promotions from SVP to the C-suite, and Asian American women make up a mere 1% of these promotions. I aim to not only rise to this level of leadership but also to change these statistics by actively mentoring and promoting more BIPOC women within the industry. Success for me is defined not just by my own achievements, but by the ability to uplift others and create more inclusive opportunities at the highest levels of corporate leadership.

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