The Sound of Data: My MSBA Symphony
Composing a career in business analytics
From violin to variables, Via Lin MSBA 25 shares how UC Davis helped her rewrite her life’s score—transforming passion, data, and grit into a career in business analytics.
Alumni
Shannon McPartland MBA 25
I chose UC Davis because I had already earned both my undergraduate and a master’s degree here, and I’ve always felt a strong connection to the university. My husband is also a Graduate School of Management alum, so choosing Davis felt like the perfect fit for both of us.
Current Position
- Senior Coroner Technician, Sacramento County Coroner's Office
Previous Work Experience
- Coroner Technician, Sacramento County Coroner's Office
Previous Education
- Masters of Forensic Science, UC Davis
Fun Facts
- I hold three degrees, all from UC Davis.
- I love to travel and have set a goal
From Neuroscience to Wall Street Finance: My MSBA Journey
Becoming a quant analytics associate at JPMorgan Chase
From neuroscience to JPMorgan Chase, recent alum Kyle Ayisi shares how the UC Davis MSBA program helped him land a plumb analytics role, build a network and develop a personal brand for long-term success.
Yufan (Via) Lin MSBA 25
After eight years in the workforce, starting over was terrifying. UC Davis' MSBA program helped me embrace data's power and showed me that growth begins when we rewrite our own life scores.
Previous Work Experience
-
Hotel Partnerships Manager / Data Analyst, Trip.com
Previous Education
Bachelor of Laws in sociology, Shanghai University
Fun Facts
- I was named a top 10 singer at Shanghai Disney Resort, and I believe presenting insights is its own kind of performance.
- I love badminton, where timing and strategy feel just like business negotiation.
- My cats, Alpha and Beta, always
Kyle Ayisi MSBA 25
I chose the UC Davis MSBA program for its people and location. Being at the center of AI innovation—surrounded by a program that wants to see you succeed—is a recipe for success.
Current Position
-
Quant Analytics Associate, JPMorgan Chase
Previous Work Experience
- Research Assistant, Princeton Computational Memory Lab
Previous Education
Bachelor of Arts, Neuroscience, Princeton University
Fun Facts
- I play the piano and drums.
- I once competed in the national spelling bee.
- I average 150,000 minutes a year of listening on Spotify.
Alumni Video Spotlight: Howard Lo MBA 00
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at DataON
At the GSM Alumni Reunion, Howard Lo MBA 00, vice president of sales and marketing at DataON, shares how 25 years of networking, leadership and community building have shaped his professional journey.
How My UC Davis MBA Prepared Me to Compete on "Survivor"
Business school strategy and leadership skills helped me survive reality TV
What’s it like competing on reality TV? Bay Area Part-Time MBA alum Kevin Leung put his UC Davis experience into play by creating strategic alliances, building trust and staying focused as a contestant on "Survivor" Season 48 in Fiji.
5 Ways UC Davis Set Me Up for Success at Big Four Firm PwC
MPAc alumna shares advice for prospective students
MPAc alumna Diana Tran shares five ways the UC Davis MPAc program prepared her for success as an audit associate at PwC, from communication and teamwork to finding real balance.
How My MBA Helped Me Tackle the High Drug Cost Problem
Disrupting big pharma with biotech startup at the Big Bang! Business Competition
Learn how a pandemic-influenced insight, a network of biotech mentors and the Big Bang! Business Competition helped Bay Area Part-Time MBA grad Timothy O’Brien turn a bold idea into a startup tackling drug making inefficiencies.
Class of 2025: What's Next For You?
At Commencement, our latest grads share where they're heading
Video of Class of 2025 grads who landed key roles and promotions at companies like Adobe, Cisco, Big Four accounting firms and innovative startups. We asked two dozen of our newest alumni to share where they’re headed next in their careers and future pursuits.
Stephanie Zarate Named Alumni Association's 2025 Rising Star
Sacramento-based media finance executive rises through the ranks
MBA alumna Stephanie Zarate, chief accounting officer and treasurer for McClatchy Media, is the recipient of the Graduate School of Management's Alumni Association 2025 Rising Star Award, recognizing her rapid rise as a financial executive at the 168-year-old media conglomerate.
My MBA Journey Empowering Rural Healthcare Access
Recognized with GSM Alumni Association's Outstanding Service Award
The GSM Alumni Association's Outstanding Service Awardee Kristy Bird MaKieve blogs about putting her MBA skills to work revolutionizing rural healthcare access and education in Northern California.
Curtis Mann Recognized with Alumni Association's 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award
20-year veteran of the US wine industry; alumni board leader
Double Aggie alumnus Curtis Mann, one of about 50 Master of Wine and an executive at Albertsons Cos., has been a leader in the wine business for more than two decades.
From Mongolia to Wall Street: My First-Gen MBA Journey
Full-Time MBA alum Sodontuya Nerguidavaa’s journey as an international student from Mongolia to Wall Street seemed improbable—until the UC Davis community of fellow students, faculty, mentors and alumni helped her achieve her goals and land as a vice president at BNY in New York.
What Does an AI Engineer Do?
MSBA alumnus Kshitiz Parashar shares insights on compelling, impactful AI career path
MSBA student Katrin Maliatski shares insights from alum and AI engineer Kshitiz Parashar in this must-read for aspiring AI engineers! Learn how the UC Davis equips you with skills like Python, machine learning, and RAG expertise for today's high-demand AI roles.
Changemaker Shaping Pathways for Asian American and Pacific Islanders
MBA empowers me to honor my Hmong heritage and create social impact
As the daughter of Hmong refugees who fled the Vietnam War to the U.S., Maikhou Thao embraces the opportunity to strengthen her cultural leadership and representation. At UC Davis, she is building the skills and network to drive meaningful change and empower future leaders.
From Samsung to Bloomberg: The Power of an MSBA Degree
How a YouTube video changed my career
One unexpected YouTube video, six years at Samsung, and a leap of faith, Ji Hyun Kim shares how, as an international student, the MSBA program propelled her into a dream data career at Bloomberg in New York City.
The Power of Paying It Forward with Mentorship
Plus, my three tips to help you succeed in corporate accounting
First-gen college student and MPAc alumna Shaneil McKenzie-Guyher shares how UC Davis' culture and curriculum helped her transition to the corporate world, empowering her to give back by mentoring young professionals.
Building an Operating System for Democracy: My Journey as an Entrepreneur for Social Good
MBA alumnus Mac Clemmens’ Streamline web platform reaches millions
“The Graduate School of Management helped me recognize that if I truly wanted to create lasting change, I needed a different approach—one that could grow, adapt, and serve thousands of organizations at scale,” says MBA alumnus Mac Clemmens.
Bridging AI, Business Analytics and Leadership
Tech investor and alumna Shilpi Sharma shares insights with MSBAs
MSBA student Jovoney Morton shares insights from tech investor, entrepreneur and MBA alumna Shilpi Sharma who returned to her alma mater to offer her expertise on the impact of AI, bridging data science with business, and driving innovation through collaboration.