Phaidra Stanley

Washington University, Olin Business School in St. Louis

“Tea drinker, avid traveler, nature lover (from a safe distance), main character energy.”

Hometown: Cape Coral, Florida

Fun Fact About Yourself: I recently became a certified travel advisor!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of South Florida Muma College of Business, Business Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Ellevest, Client Services Manager

What has been your favorite part of St. Louis so far? What makes St. Louis such a great place to earn an MBA? St. Louis is a city that has a lot to offer, and one of the things that I love most about it is the ability to explore its diverse neighborhoods. There are countless museums to visit, such as the Missouri History Museum, The Griot Museum and the City Museum, which are just a few of my favorites. I appreciate how well-connected the city is and how you can feel its rich history everywhere you go. Additionally, St. Louis is full of fantastic restaurants that serve a wide range of cuisines, making it the perfect destination for food lovers.

The abundance of entrepreneurs and startups sets St. Louis apart as a great location to pursue an MBA. The city has generated numerous successful companies, and the small-town feel within a larger city is not often found elsewhere. WashU is in a prime location within St. Louis, with a stunning campus that facilitates an intimate MBA experience. This was important to me, as I wanted to develop a bond with my peers and completely immerse myself in the program.

You completed your Global Immersion earlier this year. What was the best part of the immersion experience for you? What was the biggest takeaway you gained? I must admit that the global immersion was a key factor in my choice to attend WashU Olin. This program offers a unique opportunity to explore different cultures, learn about the global business environment and experience a new country all at once. One of the most significant lessons I learned was the importance of adapting your business model or offerings to new situations when expanding into new markets. For example, in Barcelona, the market entry case simulation we did using real businesses here in St. Louis provided a lot of insight into that process. I appreciated the opportunity in Washington, DC, to hear from various speakers on ethics, politics and policy at the Brookings Institution. We were challenged to consider how our future businesses or business decisions would be impacted by government(s) and global events.

Aside from your immersion and classmates, what was the key part of Washington Olin’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The class of 2025 is the most diverse MBA cohort that WashU Olin has had. My classmates’ perspectives and lived experiences are not something I take for granted, and I am grateful to learn alongside them. Culture and inclusivity are what attracted me to WashU, as well as the entrepreneurship program. My purpose for getting my MBA is to change my career path and learn the fundamentals of starting, growing and sustaining a business. WashU Olin is a place that will teach me those skills and challenge me to think outside the status quo.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Olin? In the fall, I was selected to represent Olin on the Graduate Program Council (GPC), which represents all graduate-level programs at WashU. Often times, we can get wrapped up in our particular programs, and it has been refreshing to hear perspectives from other graduate students and participate in events that allow me to interact with my peers outside of the MBA program.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Before joining WashU Olin, I had the privilege of leading a team made up entirely of women of color. It was my first leadership position. Watching my colleagues excel and achieve positions of influence within and outside our organization has been one of my proudest accomplishments. I remain committed to advocating for greater representation of women and women of color in leadership positions.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: As a student at WashU Olin, I’m committed to making my mark on the community. I have the wonderful opportunity of being elected as the Vice President of Clubs and Engagement for the Graduate Business Student Association. I eagerly anticipate the various initiatives this year’s cabinet will put together, and I’m excited to find ways to unite first- and second-year students.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? It’s hard to pick just one fond memory from my MBA journey so far. It has been a wild ride and one that I don’t regret taking. While it may sound cliché, some of the best moments have been with the people I’ve surrounded myself with. Having people to share every facet of the experience with has a top spot for me. In fact, I’ve spent so much time studying in the same rooms in Bauer and Knight Halls that I’m considering petitioning to have one named after me in an honorary fashion.

DON’T MISS: MEET WASHINGTON OLIN’S MBA CLASS OF 2025