Jessamyn Lau, Program Leader

Jessamyn Lau, Program Leader, Peery Foundation

Undergraduate Degree and Major:
Fine Art

Graduate School(s) / Degree(s) / Year(s):
BYU, Marriott School of Management, MBA, 2009

The Peery Foundation invests philanthropically in social entrepreneurs in the Bay Area and internationally. I spend a lot of my time learning about sustainable, market-based innovations in social solutions, sourcing new organizations to fund, and determining the best way to continuously support our portfolio members beyond grant making. This summer, together with the executive director, I developed our three- to five-year strategic plan for the foundation.

• Actively using the skills gained in business school in conjunction with my creative background to try and contribute more to society than I consume.
• The entrepreneurial culture of the foundation.
• Continuous learning being a strong aspect of my career.

Although I enjoy the many places and interesting events my job takes me to, the actual travelling part of getting to and from places can be exhausting.

Working in the field of social entrepreneurship is mentally challenging, innovative, fast-paced and fulfilling: everything I was looking for in a career. I knew I was not a social entrepreneur, but wanted to be part of building the field in general. In a funding capacity I get to see the development new field from a macro perspective.

Having not previously even heard of an MBA, I sat in on some MBA classes at the suggestion of a friend. What I heard taught and discussed in the classrooms blew me away. I remember thinking, “Why doesn't everyone know this stuff? Why don't I know it?” and I recognized the opportunity to develop more rigourous and critical thinking skills, which were previously lacking.

What was your first job post-MBA?

This one. I still have to pinch myself that I found a job that fits and challenges me so perfectly.

1. Hustle. This is not a field where the career center of your business school can just hook you up with three interviews. You will have to build personal networks, research who is doing what, and not be afraid to ask people questions.
2. Passion. This is the litmus test for being in the field. If people trust your passion, knowledge of the field, and dedication, they will spend time with you, share their expertise with you, and want to work with you.
3. Self-awareness. You have to know where you fit. What are the skills you have to offer? Where will you add the most value? What else do you need to learn?

1. Learn to thrive on a challenge.
2. Recognize that the most value you will take away from the program can not be found in the books or grades.
3. Get involved with extracurricular activities and learning opportunities (this speaks volumes in interviews and networking).

Make sure you know why you're doing it. On that night when you've only got four hours of sleep—multiple nights in a row—and you're not quite sure how you're ever going to get everything done in time, you NEED to be able to recall why you're doing it. Then, enjoy it as much as you can. Two years will fly by.

1. Professors who are excellent teachers—not just experts.
2. Experiential learning opprtunities in the areas you wish to focus.
3. A school that can provide you with outstanding role models and leaders to learn from (one of my favourite memories of my MBA was going to meet Warren Buffett with several of my colleagues).