Lydia Whitbeck, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2028
Age: 29
Hometown: Okemos, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Michigan, Environmental Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Manager, Global Sustainability Practice, Sodali & Co, 4 years; Project Manager, Carbon Neutrality Strategy, University of Michigan, 3 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After seven years working in sustainability, I’ve seen organizations make ambitious climate commitments and develop thoughtful strategies to achieve them. I have also seen how often the ability to execute comes down to limited resources and access to capital. That realization made me want to better understand the financial side of climate action.
I decided to pursue an MBA to build the financial literacy, business and leadership skills needed to participate more directly in those decisions. I’m particularly interested in understanding how investors evaluate climate technologies and what it takes to move capital toward meaningful climate solutions. An MBA felt like the right bridge between my sustainability background and the role I ultimately want to play in climate finance.
Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When I was deciding where to apply, I knew I wanted a collaborative, close-knit community, strong opportunities in sustainable business, and to stay in New York City. Stern was the place where I felt I could find all three.
Stern’s emphasis on EQ and its smaller class size drew me in, but what really convinced me was seeing the Stern culture firsthand. Throughout the application process, I had conversations with students, alumni, administrators, and admissions, and consistently came away feeling that people genuinely wanted to help each other. These interactions made Stern feel like a community I could see myself being part of from the beginning.
Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business and the EmpowHER program for women in sustainable finance were especially compelling given my interests and career goals. And after four years of living in NYC, the opportunity to stay in a city at the center of finance and climate innovation made the decision feel like a natural fit.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I’m bringing a sustainability background that spans two very different worlds. At the University of Michigan, I helped develop and implement a climate strategy alongside students, faculty, staff, local government, nonprofits, and industry partners. I then spent four years in corporate sustainability consulting, helping companies navigate competing priorities, changing regulations, and the realities of implementing change within their organizations.
These experiences taught me that having the right strategy is only part of the challenge. The harder question is often: who needs to be involved to execute? I tend to think about problems from that perspective, and I’m excited to bring that lens to class discussions, particularly when we’re talking about how businesses can turn ambitious ideas into action.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
In college, I helped to design and build a hydroponics rooftop garden at Mount Rushmore. It is still operational today, providing fresh tomatoes and other vegetables to employees and visitors.
Post-MBA career interests:
My post-MBA goals are still evolving, but I’m interested in a career at the intersection of climate finance and climate technology, with a focus on how capital can be better directed toward climate solutions.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would take time to get clear on “why an MBA” before beginning applications. I did informational interviews, research, and a lot of journaling to make sure an MBA would be the right bridge between my past work experience and future goals. That groundwork made the application and essay writing process much easier. I also found ApplicantLab extremely helpful for guiding my brainstorming and application process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started my essays sooner. Standardized testing ate up more time than I expected, and by the time I got to essays I felt rushed, even though I already had a strong sense of my story. My advice to anyone starting this process: begin earlier than you think you need to.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could, and what helped you get through it?
I would have loved to skip the GRE. It was challenging to find the time to study while working, but eventually I figured out that studying before work was much more fruitful than after a long day. I also discovered GregMat’s resources, which changed the game for me by having an easy to follow study plan with plenty of practice problems.
What is your initial impression of the NYU Stern students/culture/community?
What has stood out to me most is how willing people are to help, even when we may have just met. I’ve had classmates offer to make introductions and connect me with people in their networks, explain new-to-me finance principles, and share advice simply because they knew I was interested in a particular area.
Everyone I’ve met has been welcoming, curious, and excited about what they’re doing, but there is also a willingness to make space for other people’s goals and learning. I’ve already benefited from that generosity, and it’s made me excited to pay it forward during my time at Stern and beyond.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
So far, I have joined the Social Impact & Sustainability Association, Entrepreneurship & Startup Association, Stern Women in Business, Stern Middle East North Africa Club, and Stern Adventures. These clubs reflect the communities I am a part of, my interests, and a few new areas I’m excited to explore while at Stern. I’m particularly excited about Stern Adventures as a way to explore the areas outside of NYC with classmates. I love running and hiking, so I’m always up for an excuse to get outside.
What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
I didn’t expect personal and professional development to start before classes even began. Through Coaching for Impact, every Stern MBA participates in a small-group session focused on communication, presence, and public speaking. I found it really helpful to receive feedback from a faculty expert and peers on my clarity when communicating and public speaking skills. It was an early example of Stern’s emphasis on EQ that I hadn’t fully appreciated before arriving.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited to get out of the classroom through NYU Stern’s experiential learning opportunities, specifically a Stern Signature Project. One of my favorite parts of working in sustainability is tackling big, often ambiguous challenges. I’m looking forward to bringing that same way of thinking to a real-world problem alongside my classmates and faculty, particularly on a topic outside of my comfort zone.
