John Epley, Notre Dame Mendoza MBA Class of 2027
Age: 27
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Butler University — Double Major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Territory Sales Representative, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry; Elanco Animal Health (4 years)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
While I truly enjoyed my role at Elanco, I reached a point where I wanted to pivot into finance, which had become a growing passion of mine. I knew that I had developed a strong foundation in sales, strategy, and relationship management, and that pairing those skills with advanced finance and investment acumen would open the door to compelling long-term opportunities.
I felt that business school was the right environment to formalize my analytical skill set while leveraging my prior experience. The timing felt right as I had gained meaningful responsibility early in my career and was ready to invest in myself to take the next step.
Why did you choose Notre Dame Mendoza? What factors figured most prominently into your decision?
I grew up a lifelong Notre Dame fan and attended Peoria Notre Dame Catholic High School, so Notre Dame had always held a special place for me. Beyond that personal connection, I had close friends and family friends who were alumni, and I consistently heard about the strength of the community and the lifelong nature of the network. I was also intentional about choosing a school with a truly national brand and reputation, and through reviewing employment reports and speaking with alumni, it became clear that Mendoza places exceptionally well into finance roles.
I was looking for a business school experience that was transformational rather than transactional. While career outcomes certainly mattered, I wanted to join a tight-knit community I could rely on not just during my two years in the program, but for the rest of my life. Conversations with alumni only reinforced that Mendoza offered exactly that. I also deeply resonated with Mendoza’s “Grow the Good in Business” mission and knew I would grow personally, professionally, and in my faith through this program.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
Coming from a medical sales background, I effectively operated my territory as a small business. I was responsible for building and maintaining customer relationships, designing and executing a business plan, allocating resources, and driving revenue and market share growth. That level of ownership early in my career gave me a unique perspective on accountability, strategy, and performance.
In addition, being a former student-athlete taught me how to compete, stay disciplined, and perform under pressure; skills that translate directly to both the classroom and recruiting environment. I believe the combination of business ownership, client-facing experience, and competitive mindset is a distinctive contribution I bring to the class.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I recently got into skiing and have made trips to Breckenridge and Vail over the past two years.
Post-MBA Career Interests:
Finance
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Speaking with current students and alumni. These conversations provide the clearest insight into a program’s culture and how well it aligns with your goals, both professionally and personally.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have toured the school in person. I applied later in the cycle and missed some of the on-campus visit opportunities. If I could do it again, I would absolutely prioritize visiting.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The time-intensive essay writing process. What helped was being genuine and reflective—writing about my experiences ended up being a meaningful exercise that reminded me of how far I’d come and what I had learned along the way.
What is your initial impression of the Notre Dame Mendoza students, culture, and community?
The people are world-class. Students, faculty, and alumni are incredibly generous with their time and genuinely treat the Notre Dame community like family. During recruiting this fall, I was consistently impressed by the alumni network’s willingness to help and share their experiences. Despite coming from impressive backgrounds, people here are remarkably down-to-earth and supportive.
What student organizations have you joined or hope to join, and why?
I am a first-year representative in the MBAA and am involved in the Finance & Investment Club, Real Estate Club, and Adam Smith Society. These organizations align closely with my career interests and provide excellent opportunities for both professional development and community building.
What is one thing you have learned about Notre Dame Mendoza that has surprised you?
How integrated the business school is with the broader university. From football tailgates and intramural sports to speaker series and campus events, Mendoza offers countless ways to connect with students across disciplines and fully immerse yourself in the Notre Dame experience.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The friendships. Before arriving, a “double domer” (Notre Dame undergrad alum and MBA program alum) told me he made friendships in the MBA program that were just as meaningful as those from his undergraduate experience. That has absolutely been true for me and is something I believe truly differentiates the Mendoza MBA.
