First Poole College MRA Graduates Look to the Future

This summer, Poole College of Management’s Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) program congratulates its first two students to cross the finish line. Athena Theodorakis and Amy Bandy will celebrate their commencement in December after wrapping up the last of their coursework over the summer.

In celebration of their accomplishments, these students reflected on the biggest highlights of their time in the program, shared more about their next steps and offered a few words of advice to future MRA students. 

Specialized knowledge 

Bandy, a program manager at HHAeXchange, found the MRA program’s specialized curriculum to be particularly beneficial. Along with deepening her understanding of organizational risk, the curriculum equipped her with essential analytics skills, tools and techniques to drive decision-making and assess and manage risk more effectively.

“The program taught me how to analyze complex data sets, identify patterns and make better, more informed business decisions. Additionally, I learned the value of teamwork and effective communication in achieving organizational goals,” Bandy says. “These specialized skills have already proven valuable in my current role and have equipped me to contribute to my organization’s profitability and overall success.”

Theodorakis, a chemical engineer with 25 years experience in supply chain, manufacturing and product management, adds that the MRA curriculum prepares business leaders to navigate today’s complex business challenges.

“Students gain exposure to thought leadership about contemporary topics like AI and sustainability. These topics weren’t part of business education when I got my MBA, but they’re critical for most organizations today as they consider their potential risks,” she explains. “I appreciated the opportunity to select electives and tailor the program to topics and experiences that were most important to me.”

Value-adding experiences

In addition to the specialized, cutting-edge curriculum, the students appreciated the opportunity to enrich their education with unique, experiential learning opportunities at Poole College of Management. Bandy particularly enjoyed studying abroad in Brazil as part of Poole College’s Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro course. 

“Along with immersing ourselves in Brazilian culture, we engaged with local companies like Nude and Delicara, learned about sustainable practices in the food industry and visited an organization called Litro de Luz, which provides sustainable lighting solutions,” Bandy says. “The trip was a transformative experience that allowed me to see sustainability practices in action and understand their impact on emerging markets.”Participating in this global experience, as well as the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Roundtable Summit, allowed Bandy to build on the knowledge she gained in the classroom, apply course concepts to real-world contexts and form valuable, lifelong connections with others.

“It has been inspiring to meet like-minded individuals pursuing diverse career paths. The connections I made through the study abroad trip to Brazil and the ERM Roundtable Summit have been invaluable, and I am confident that these relationships will continue to benefit me both personally and professionally,” Bandy says.

“I especially encourage students to take advantage of opportunities to participate in the ERM Roundtable Summit,” Theodorakis adds. “It’s a great way to gain insight into ERM in practice at a breadth of organizations.”

Unlimited opportunity

With sharper analytics skills, a more robust network and a broader understanding of enterprise risk management, Bandy and Theodorakis are eager to continue helping organizations manage risk and accomplish their key objectives.

Coupling her 25 years of professional experience with her graduate education, Theodorakis now works as an independent consultant focused on supply chain and risk management. She also hopes to teach at the university level in the future, but for now, she is passionate about applying the knowledge she’s gained in the classroom to complex supply chain problems.

“One important takeaway from the problem is that risk management involves considering the opportunities as well as the risks – and aligning risk management with strategy,” she says. “The most successful supply chain leaders are those who consider the broader perspective and broader impact on the organization rather than holding a more siloed perspective.”

Meanwhile, Bandy is excited to continue her role at HHAeXchange as a program manager.

“I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills I acquired in the MRA program to my work, focusing on enabling strong teams, driving efficiency and contributing to the company’s success. I also plan to return to Poole College of Management to complete the business sustainability certificate, further enhancing my expertise in this area,” she says.

Based on her own experience, Bandy has a few words of advice for future students.

“Fully engage with all aspects of the program. Take advantage of the diverse coursework, participate in extracurricular activities, build relationships with peers and professors, and seek out opportunities like study abroad programs that can broaden your perspective,” she says. “Additionally, focus on applying what you learn in real-world settings. Whether through your current job or new opportunities, finding ways to implement your new skills will reinforce your learning and demonstrate the value of the program.”

This post was originally published in Master of Management Risk & Analytics.