Drive Time Podcast: Brittany Blackamore ('16), Suitcase of Joy, CEO & Founder

Brittany Blackamore (FEMBA '16) discusses her successful career transition to Boston Consulting Group and her nonprofit organization, Suitcase of Joy.

 

0:00​ – Intro

2:50​ – Founding a non-profit, Suitcase of Joy (inspired by going on 7 Global Immersions!)

7:00​ – Two themes she lives her life by – “I don’t have to know how to do something before I can begin how to do it” and “do something now”

8:25​ – Goal-oriented – determine what I want to do and then work backward and break it into manageable steps and create a framework

10:20​ – Changing the world is a big task and too big for one person – realized she could do something now

11:35​ – What goes in a suitcase and donations begin

13:20​ – Started small with self-funded trips and two suitcases with the ultimate goal of building schools

14:41​ – Mission is to bring joy and education to children around the world

16:53​ – Education can break the cycle of poverty (even in one generation)

17:40​ – First trips in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and South Africa

19:03​ – Inspired by experience in Argentina, Brazil and South Africa Global Immersions

19:30​ – First generation college graduate (parents were first generation high school graduates)

22:15​ – The problem is much bigger than all the people trying to help it (wanted to do what she could to help)

22:40​ – Traveling alone and maintaining personal safety

25:00​ – Showcasing Suitcase of Joy (pictures)

30:20​ – FEMBA experience – career explorer (from leadership development program at Experian to private equity/M&A at Boston Consulting Group)

34:12​ – Goal is to start an investment fund for private equity/venture capital that invests in entrepreneurs/businesses in emerging economies

37:00​ – From an undergrad French major to FEMBA

40:00​ – Building on strengths and areas for development: Venn diagram of things that I like, that I’m good at, and where I can make a difference

42:00​ – Becoming a professional Googler

43:36​ – Get the biggest MBA outcome

45:53​ – MBA as the launching pad and foundation – don’t be afraid to explore

47:20​ – Strategy isn’t just figuring out what you’re going to do, but also what you’re not going to do

50:25​ – ROI on MBA and investment in self – financial, opportunities an Anderson MBA provides, gained confidence

56:40​ – Dramatic shift in thinking at Anderson: from imposter syndrome to telling herself things that she wanted to be true that weren’t yet (words of affirmation)

59:33​ – Be bold and let go of pre-MBA mindset: taking the limits off what she thought she could do

1:04:30​ – Humbition (be humble but ambitious)

1:05:33​ – Productivity hacks: write down what she needs to accomplish, then determine priorities

1:09:41​ – Wrap-up and thank yous

1:12:30​ – Life is a journey and you continue to learn

 

Brittany's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-...​ https://www.suitcaseofjoy.org/​

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson’s Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

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