Jordan Lenway, Minnesota Carlson MBA Class of 2027
Age: 32
Hometown: Austin, MN
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Iowa State University, Industrial Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Logistics Officer, U.S. Army (5 years); Operations Manager, Amazon (5 years)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After nine years of operational leadership—five in the military and nearly four at Amazon—I reached a pivotal moment. I have had the privilege of leading teams of up to 500 people and overseeing operations with over $600 million in annual revenue. While I knew how to execute in high-pressure environments, I realized that to break through my current ceiling and pivot into a more strategic role, I needed to translate those tactical and technical experiences into business strategy. An MBA from Minnesota Carlson was the missing link to make that translation possible.
Why did you choose Minnesota Carlson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
My decision came down to three distinct pillars: reputation, experiential learning, and community. Minnesota Carlson is undeniably a top-tier program with deep ties to the Twin Cities business ecosystem, which was crucial for my goals of pivoting into consulting and strategy.
I was specifically drawn to the Enterprise programs. The opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world projects with companies wasn’t just “extra credit” to me—it felt like essential preparation for a competitive landscape. I wanted a program where I could get my hands dirty and solve actual business problems before I even graduated.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I bring a unique background and experience to Carlson, nested in leadership, logistics, and supply chain. I was one of few with experience in this space and was able to leverage this in adding valuable insights into class discussions as well as helping educate and inform my peers through my experiences.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’ve hiked to and caught trout in a lake at the top of a 10,000 ft mountain!
Post-MBA career interests:
I aim to leverage my prior experience in addition with my Carlson MBA experience to accelerate a career path into strategy & consulting.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Connect with the recruiting team/office frequently and early. This gave me a strong understanding of each program’s offerings and advantages which helped me make a more educated decision.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have done more research into the current landscape of post-MBA career paths given my accrued work experience. This would have helped me narrow in on and better understand what was most interesting to me. The recruiting process begins almost immediately within your first year, so this would have reduced some of the initial stress.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Looking back, I don’t have anything that I would have skipped. Every experience that I have had at Carlson and with my peers has added value in more ways than one, whether it be to my personal or professional life. While time has often been limited and taken careful management, I’ve seen value in everything I have taken part in.
What is your initial impression of the Minnesota Carlson students/culture/community?
I have been impressed by the reputation that Carlson has upheld and how I have seen that translate to the strong relationships it carries with many of it’s corporate and hiring partners.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I joined the Carlson Consulting Club for its support, visibility, and network into consulting. It has been instrumental in my preparation for consulting interviews, consulting, as well as being introduced to consulting professionals. I am also part of the MBA Veterans Club. The large veteran population at Carlson was a primary driver for my attendance and it was important to me to continue to connect with and support fellow veterans.
What is one thing you have learned about Minnesota Carlson that has surprised you?
Minnesota Carlson has an extensive network. Prior to attending, I knew Carlson was well connected in the business community across Minnesota, especially in healthcare but was unaware of how well connected across other areas such as consulting, product management, and marketing. It has been enlightening how connected alumni remain with Carlson and its students and how supportive the remain in our career searches.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
During my search for MBA programs, the Enterprise experience was a very large deciding factor in my attendance to Carlson. I am extremely excited to start the Carlson Consulting Enterprise in the spring semester, working with real clients, bringing real solutions to real world problems.
