Janitra Taylor
Yale School of Management
Age: 35
“Fearless, innovative leader determined to shatter glass ceilings, ignite change, and leave a lasting legacy.”
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Family Members: My 6lb Morkie dog and my mom, Jana Taylor
Fun fact about yourself: I spent 15 years dancing ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and modern—and even opened my own dance school, Semaj (James spelled backward), to honor my late grandfather.
Undergraduate School – Villanova University
Degrees:
- Bachelor of Accountancy
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Concentration in Marketing)
Where are you currently working? Mobility Capital Finance (MoCaFi), Head of Product & Data Analytics
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles:
Extracurricular Activities / Community / Leadership Roles:
- Yale Admissions Ambassador
- Yale Social Media Ambassador
- Villanova University Alumni Mentor
- Mentorship of young women interested in the Financial Services Industry
Awards / Honors:
- Named One of the Most Influential Women in Payments, American Banker (2025)
- Money20/20 Amplify Program Honoree (2023)
- Ernst & Young Culture Leadership Award (2022)
- Bank of America Bronze Award Recipient (2021)
- Women Ready to Lead Participant
- Two-time recipient of the “Chase Consumer Brand Card Presidential Award”
- Chase VP Academy
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Serving as the social media ambassador for Yale SOM is the achievement I’m most proud of. Through Instagram, I had the opportunity to share the Class of 2025’s journey—from classroom moments to campus traditions and everything in between. I loved capturing and highlighting the real, unfiltered experience of what it means to be an Executive MBA student at Yale University.
One of the most rewarding moments was when prospective students would visit campus and recognize me, saying, “You’re that woman from IG!” They’d tell me how much they enjoyed following along and how the stories made the EMBA experience feel more accessible and human. It meant a lot to know that sharing our day-to-day lives helped future students see that it’s possible to balance work, life, and business school—and even have fun doing it.
A true highlight was taking over the official Yale SOM Instagram during Global Network Week. I shared photos and videos from nearly 70 EMBA students traveling across the world—from Switzerland to Cape Town to Ireland. We showcased local traditions, course highlights, and the global EMBA community in action. That week, I wasn’t just capturing memories, I was helping tell the story of what makes Yale SOM’s executive experience so dynamic and global.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud to have been recognized by American Banker as one of the most influential women in payments.
This honor was particularly meaningful because it highlighted just over 20 women across the United States, and I was one of them. It was a powerful testament to my 14-year journey in financial services, spanning consumer card products, merchant services, and consulting. It validated the work I’ve done to drive innovation, elevate product strategy, and build high-performing teams in a rapidly evolving industry.
Receiving this recognition alongside such accomplished women was both humbling and motivating—a reminder that the work is far from over. It reinforced my commitment to pushing boundaries, leading with purpose, and continuing to shape the future of financial services.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Song Ma was my favorite professor. During our second year, he taught Entrepreneurial Finance, a course that walked us through the full lifecycle of startups, from idea generation and early-stage funding to scaling, exits, and everything in between. As someone who dreams of following Jeff Bezos’ footsteps—building my own Fortune 500 company and fundamentally changing consumer behavior—this class was exactly what I needed. (Yes, Jeff Bezos is literally my screensaver.)
What made Professor Ma exceptional wasn’t just the content he delivered but how personally invested he was in his students’ ideas. When I shared my startup concept with him, he went above and beyond to help me shape it into a viable MVP. His feedback was clear, strategic, and rooted in real-world venture insight. That mentorship gave me both the confidence and the direction to start making my vision a reality. He exemplifies the best of Yale SOM, professors who don’t just teach—they invest in who you’re becoming.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program?
Yale SOM felt like home from the moment I stepped onto campus. The atmosphere reminded me of my undergraduate experience—welcoming, inspiring, and deeply connected. My mom accompanied me during my visit, and the admissions team treated her with such warmth and kindness. That moment stood out—it showed that Yale doesn’t just care about prospective students, but also about the people who support them.
After the visit, the Yale SOM team remained incredibly responsive, promptly answering my questions and even taking the time to speak with me directly. The personal touch and genuine interest in my journey made it clear that Yale was the right choice.
The visit also reinforced Yale’s reputation for legacy and prestige. Being part of such a historic institution meant more than just earning a degree—it was about joining a network of leaders and changemakers who carry the Yale name forward. That sense of belonging resonated with me.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? During my first year, I was honored to be selected as one of the Amplify Program Honorees at Money 2020, one of the largest global conferences in the fintech and payments space. The Amplify Program, part of Money 2020’s RiseUp initiative, is designed to spotlight and elevate women leaders in financial services. The event coincided with a class weekend, so I had to find a way to manage both.
I attended my first day of class remotely from Philadelphia and then caught a late-night flight to Las Vegas. After just four hours of sleep, I woke up to attend my second class before heading out to meet with venture capital partners interested in fintech innovations. Despite the whirlwind schedule, I made time for what mattered, I flew my mom out to join me, and we capped off the night with an unforgettable Adele concert.
That weekend taught me that juggling work, family, and education isn’t about perfect balance—it’s about being present in the moment, prioritizing what truly matters, and embracing the chaos along the way.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Go for it. Don’t let fear, doubt, or the opinions of others hold you back. You are just as capable, deserving, and worthy of those spaces as anyone else.
Entering an executive MBA program isn’t just about career advancement; it’s about affirming that you belong in rooms where decisions are made, even when those rooms don’t always reflect you. And not only do you belong in those spaces, but you also deserve a seat at the head of the table.
Embrace the challenge. Lean into discomfort. You’re ready for this.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Over the past two years, Lou Hart has become like a brother to me and someone I deeply admire and trust. Lou serves as the Medical Director of Health Equity and an Attending Physician in Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Yale New Haven Health. He somehow managed to lead in both roles, become a new dad, be a devoted husband, and fully show up as a student and a classmate—all at once.
Lou’s presence is bold, direct, and energizing. He consistently challenged me to vocalize my thoughts and helped me build the confidence to truly step into my power. He would often remind me that I already had everything I needed—that I was the only one holding myself back. Lou encouraged me to go after what I wanted, even when I hesitated. He didn’t just support me through the Yale EMBA journey—he transformed it. His candor, drive, and ability to bring out the best in others, while remaining grounded in his values and family, are just a few of the many reasons I call him my big brother.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? With two undergraduate business degrees, I knew that it had to be a program that would truly stretch me when I returned to school. Early in my career, several mentors advised me to wait about ten years before pursuing an MBA, so I could bring meaningful professional experience into the classroom. They were right. The Executive MBA program offered the level of depth, peer engagement, and leadership focus I was looking for—and that I wouldn’t have found in a part-time or online alternative. It wasn’t just about gaining knowledge; it was about sharpening my executive presence and learning alongside other accomplished professionals navigating complex challenges in real time.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my Executive MBA through a private loan. To help offset travel and accommodation expenses, I got creative with the resources available to me. I used loyalty points to book my train tickets, redeemed hotel points to cover meals, and took full advantage of the hotel shuttle service to navigate around campus. Every small decision added up, allowing me to manage costs while staying focused on my academic and professional goals.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to shatter glass ceilings, lead organizations through crisis, and become the kind of leader that people choose to follow, not just because of title, but because of trust. That’s why my ultimate long-term professional goal is to become a Fortune 500 CEO.
When I applied to Yale SOM’s Executive MBA program, two African-American women were leading Fortune 500 companies. Now, there is only one—Thasunda Duckett. This reality fuels my determination. It reminds me of the work to be done and the space I hope to help change that narrative.
The Yale SOM experience has deepened my ambition and sense of responsibility. I no longer see my path as limited to joining the C-suite of an existing Fortune 500 company—I now have the vision and conviction to build one.
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