Hometown: Donalsonville, Georgia
Describe yourself in 15 words or less:
A serious professional who just wants to make people laugh and feel like they belong.
Who most influenced your decision to pursue your Executive MBA?
No one in particular influenced my decision. I’d known I wanted to get a masters for a while, but in what? When I looked at the business leaders I respected and wanted to be like, they all had the skills that come with an MBA. I also wanted to become a more well-rounded business leader, not just a marketer.
What was your favorite business course and why?
Analysis of Global Environment. It's tough to beat a trip to Vietnam and Singapore as a class! As someone who’d never thought about working outside of the United States, the cultural immersion made global business feel approachable and interesting. Without hyperbole, it was life-changing.
What advice would you give to an incoming Executive MBA?
Say “yes” to everything. Breakfasts, happy hours, Tech Talks, random meetups, new ideas, trips. The relationships, conversations, learnings, and experiences are worth at least as much as the curriculum.
What is something unexpected you learned about Scheller College during your time as a student?
There’s a fully functional stock trading floor and Wall Street history exhibit on the fourth floor. I had no idea until one summer day when I thought, “I’ve never been up there, let’s check it out.”
What’s been your favorite memory so far at Scheller?
The feeling of finding my people.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from your Scheller Executive MBA?
The lesson I feel the most every day is to speak with confidence even in conflict. It doesn’t have to cause anxiety or be disrespectful. That’s a night-and-day difference for me from when I started this program.
What will you be doing to celebrate your graduation?
I will be doing nothing, finally, and I will enjoy every moment of it. Ha! I’m going to get a nice watch as a present to myself, and there may be a group trip involved. TBD.
Who would you like to thank most for your success?
Everything about me and what I’ve done is at least partially thanks to friends, family, classmates, and coworkers. If I’ve done anything of note, they all deserve a big “thank you!”
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I genuinely thought I was going to be a rockstar. Here we are.
Who is your favorite business professor?
There have been so many I’ve genuinely enjoyed learning from, but I’ll say Tim Halloran. I’ve seen thousands of marketers try to explain their craft. He does it as well as or better than anyone, with some great personal experiences, and also helps non-marketers understand what goes into this kind of work.
Which classmate do you most admire?
One of the beautiful things about this program is the answer here could be a long list. Let’s go with Skylar Hinrichs. He’s everyone’s best friend, flies in from Nebraska every class weekend (what commitment!), and is one of the most considerate, hardworking, and respectful human beings I’ve ever come across.
What actor would you cast to play yourself in a movie about your life, and why?
Ryan Gosling, because he’s just Ken.
What's your favorite place you've traveled to, and why?
St. Simons Island is my perennial happy place. I grew up visiting, and it just brings me peace. For international travel, it’d be Singapore earlier this year. We’d come in from Vietnam, which was great, but the constant stimulation left me drained. I spent the whole first day in Singapore between the Botanical Gardens and the Marina Bay Gardens, touching grass and enjoying every second of it. I was surprisingly comfortable on the opposite side of the world.
Favorite family tradition:
The Burke Family Christmas Eve Pancake Dinner™
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment has been leading a startup from $0 to nearly $20M and an acquisition.
What did you want to be when you were small?
Big. But actually, the first job I remember wanting was to be a standup comedian. After that I wanted to be in advertising, and in some crazy twist of fate, I have been.
What is your latest book recommendation?
"Twice" by Mitch Albom. Like most of his books, it’s easy reading, packed with wisdom, and deeply human.
Favorite restaurant in Atlanta:
I commute in from Chattanooga, so my three staples are Moe’s, Starbucks, and Cypress. I should really get out more.
