Kaelyn Brown, Rochester Simon Business School MBA Class of 2027
Age: 29
Hometown: Cleveland Ohio
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Ohio University; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Nonprofit Education Senior Program Manager
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After seven years in the nonprofit space, I decided to attend business school to acquire the technical skills that would complement my extensive experience in program management and community impact. It was time to level up my business acumen to accomplish my ultimate dream of becoming a CEO who can drive meaningful change at scale.
Why did you choose Rochester Simon? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose the University of Rochester Simon Business School because of the people. During my MBA search, I was very intentional about visiting schools I planned to apply to. The level of attention to detail, care, and intentionality that Simon demonstrated during my visit won me over. I was able to connect not only with staff and admissions professionals, but with current students as well. They were incredibly welcoming, and I knew this would be a safe place for me to learn and grow.
Additional factors that influenced my decision included the program size, academic rigor, career services, and alumni network. Simon checked off all my boxes and exceeded my expectations.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
My most valuable contribution to the Class of 2027 is my ability to bring people together. I have a natural talent for including folks from all backgrounds and ensuring everyone feels valued. I am able to relate to different communities and build bridges between diverse groups. I plan to serve as a first-year representative for several organizations to amplify voices and strengthen our class community.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
One fun fact that did not make it into my application is my interest in biodiversity and entomology. Throughout undergraduate and high school, I took part in several research labs at Case Western and Ohio University that allowed me to explore diverse types of insects and study biomimicry how we can use nature to model technology. I used to work with the Medusa Sexta moth and a cockroach colony! This scientific background gives me a unique analytical perspective that I bring to business challenges.
Post-MBA career interests:
Post-MBA, I plan to pursue a leadership development rotational program. I love the idea of moving around an organization to learn about all its facets. Understanding marketing, strategy, and finance will allow me to one day lead with a comprehensive perspective of all business functions. My goal is to transition into general management, and I am looking for the perfect company that will allow me to use my nonprofit experience while developing my corporate leadership skills.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely dedicate more time to listening to business journals and podcasts to increase my awareness of top companies and better prepare for pre-MBA conferences and networking events.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
While most people would say testing, I would honestly skip the pressure of application deadlines. I would have prepared myself to submit in Round 1 instead of Round 2. What helped me get through the deadline pressure was staying organized keeping everything noted in my planner and calendar and carving out dedicated time for application materials.
What is your initial impression of the Rochester Simon students/culture/community?
My initial impression is that this is a brilliant group of people. They are incredibly smart and analytically oriented, but what’s fascinating is that despite their high-level analytical clarity, they are also deeply human. They have both the empathy and intellectual capacity to not only present data but to tell the story behind the data. The community felt very welcoming from day one.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I am hoping to join Simon Vision Consulting, which is a consulting group that partners with real organizations to help solve complex problems. I am also looking forward to getting involved in the Rochester community and learning more about the city’s history. Additionally, I’m interested in joining Simon Women in Business (as I am also a Forté Fellow) and the Simon Black Student Alliance as a first-year representative. These programs align with my personal mission and brand: “learn more to earn more to return more.” I feel as though in these organizations, I can take the lessons I have learned pour them into other people and make sure that I am pouring into people as much as people have poured into me.
What is one thing you have learned about Rochester Simon that has surprised you?
What has surprised me most is the sheer number of fun activities that happen on campus and in the community. From participating in local fairs to Food Truck Tuesdays, hiking trips, the Lilac Festival, and the Jazz Festival—Rochester has such rich culture, and that vibrancy spills over into the university experience in wonderful ways.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about the opportunity to engage in experiential learning through immersion trips, case competitions, and other hands-on activities that will allow me to actively apply classroom concepts to real-world business challenges and develop my problem-solving skills in dynamic environments.
