Jabarri Reynolds
New York University, Stern School of Business
Age: 39
“A love for learning and basketball has paved a pathway for success across six continents.”
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Family Members: Wife, Daughter, Son
Fun fact about yourself: I was involved with the NBA Bubble (107 days), NBA All Star Bubble, 2019 FIBA World Cup, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and 2024 Paris Olympics.
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Pomona College, Psychology, B.A.
Northwestern University, Sports Administration, M.A
Where are you currently working? I am currently the Head of International Player & Team Operations at the National Basketball Association.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
2014- 15 Distinguished Thesis Award for the Master
Fulbright Scholar 2008
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Completing the program on time having just welcomed my daughter into the world while juggling being on the road more than 100 days during the first year felt like a big achievement. In my second year, I also took on a 42-day assignment working with the US Men’s Senior national team for the Paris Olympics. This was the last viable moment for me to embark on this journey––and with the support of my wife and my daughter, I created a plan that allowed me to be present at home, work, and school.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I have been fortunate to travel to over 25 countries, but my proudest moments have been working with Team USA for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics. Each time, I was with the team for more than 40 days culminating in gold medals. So much work and sacrifice went into making both trips successful––and the experiences gave me stories that I will cherish for a lifetime.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? What made the program special for me was the opportunity to learn from so many great minds in the Stern faculty. Professor Anjolein Schmeits was a pillar in enhancing my proficiency in finance as she expanded my comprehension of general finance, valuations, corporate finance, and being better prepared to have informed conversations on the subject.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I felt that an Executive MBA from Stern would validate me in having a complete understanding of global business with the ability to manage social, political, and functional challenges. I was also excited about NYU’s campus in Abu Dhabi. This is the campus that the NBA has used in the pre-season for team practices prior to Global Games. This same campus has been used for our flagship Basketball Without Borders camps, and training camp for Team USA––all events with which I have been deeply involved.
Our cohort also went to Taipei, Taiwan for our core Global Immersion Experience. Given all my international travel, this was a unique opportunity to visit a place that was steeped in tradition while also dominating in a burgeoning semiconductor and electronic space thanks to the advanced technology capabilities. A huge shoutout to my classmates Stella and Gordan for their top-notch hospitality, being our go-to guides and sounding boards outside of our official NYU leads. They welcomed us to their hometown and truly made Taiwan and the experience unforgettable.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? Learning doesn’t stop after receiving an NYU Stern School of Business diploma. Rather, as part of the NYU family and global network, it is a lifelong journey that will continue forever.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? The program orientation was my introduction to juggling work, family, and education. I left my family in Spain to celebrate “Reyes Magos” while I traveled back to New York to attend the weeklong orientation––a bootcamp that got us ready to jump back into academia. Orientation ended early on a Friday afternoon, and within hours I was on a plane to Paris for work. The NBA was getting ready to host one regular season game in Paris between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. Once the game was done, I flew back to Spain to spend time with my wife and our newborn, then returned to New York where I prepared for the upcoming weekend of classes. So for January, I spent three weeks traveling between three countries, and flying over 30 hours.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Be patient, be curious, and be true to yourself and your circumstances. The program has a lot to offer and will give you all that you can take. As a student, full-time employee, and full-time family man, it was impossible to do everything that Stern had to offer.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? My entire cohort was a group of mostly well-rounded individuals who all had immense respect and tolerance for one another.
Mingma Sherpa was a classmate who consistently lifted everyone up with her knowledge, her presence, and her voice.
She was a leader and well-versed in the financial industry. Regardless of your work experience and background being outside of this space, she always made you feel valued. She enhanced my experience within the program, and I consider her a lifelong ally in this world we are all trying to influence for the better.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I wasn’t in a position to put my career on hold, and after careful planning with my wife and my supervisor, I received the support and confirmation needed to make it work.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term objectives remain focused on a lifelong mission to provide the underprivileged with more pathways to success. One avenue to achieve this is through Cross Court BASICS, a youth sports program that I created to help kids build adaptive skills and prepare them for life in a multicultural world.
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