Darden students are purpose-driven individuals who come from varied backgrounds, bursting with innovative ideas and the potential to shape the future of business. In this spotlight series, the Darden Career Center invites you to look beyond the class profiles, averages and generalizations and expand your idea of what a Darden MBA hire can add to your organization.
Meet Victoria Okwuchi Ejimofor, Darden MBA Class of 2025.
Tell us a bit about yourself, Victoria!
My journey began in Lagos, Nigeria, where I built a career at the intersection of business strategy, marketing, and entrepreneurship. I started in HR, drawn to the impact of people and culture in organizations. As I explored corporate business development, I took on roles that allowed me to lead go-to-market strategies, drive revenue growth, and expand distribution networks for luxury brands (Puma, Hugo Boss, Inglot) in the retail industry. But deep down, I knew I wanted to build something of my own, something that reflected my passion as a part time makeup artist.
That realization led me to transition from my corporate roles into entrepreneurship, founding Evichanted, a beauty, makeup, and lifestyle brand. Over two years, I scaled it significantly, learning firsthand what it takes to grow a business from the ground up. Through these experiences, I realized that I’ve consistently gravitated toward the people aspects of business and my greatest impact has been in developing talent mobility systems that drive business growth.
What led you to decide that an MBA at Darden was the right next step for you?
Pursuing an MBA at Darden felt like the right next step not just to refine my strategic thinking and broaden my global perspective, but to pivot into a role where I could make a meaningful impact, particularly in HR/people operations, talent mobility and talent management. It was also an opportunity to gain the knowledge and expertise needed to one day build the most inclusive makeup and skincare brand for Black African women.
I’ve always believed that the success of any business comes down to the people behind it, and I wanted to work on my ability to build high-performing teams and shape people-centric strategies.
Since starting Darden, what’s been your biggest ‘aha’ moment?
They say, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” But at Darden, I quickly realized sometimes, you can’t even go without your team because that case write-up is due at 7:59 AM, and you still don’t understand the exhibit on page 14. One of my biggest “aha moments” has been recognizing just how much leadership is about influence rather than authority. That leadership isn’t about having all the answers (thankfully, because finance humbled me early on). It’s about asking the right questions, creating space for diverse perspectives, and knowing when to step back so others can shine. I came in thinking leadership was about making the best decisions; I’ve learned it’s really about empowering the best decisions to be made.
Another unexpected takeaway? The power of community. Business school is intense, but I’ve seen how much people genuinely show up for each other. I came to business school expecting to gain technical knowledge, but I didn’t anticipate how deeply the support of my peers would shape my experience. Whether it’s late-night study sessions, alumni who respond to cold emails with warmth (and job referrals!), or professors and the career center who are just as invested in our success as we are. I’ve seen firsthand that success is never a solo journey.
I came in [to Darden] thinking leadership was about making the best decisions; I’ve learned it’s really about empowering the best decisions to be made.
How have activities outside the classroom shaped the past two years?
If the classroom is where I sharpened my analytical thinking, then everything outside of it is where I’ve truly tested and applied my leadership, adaptability, and relationship-building skills. One of the most fulfilling parts of my experience has been serving as a Batten Entrepreneurial Scholar; not just receiving the scholarship but actively giving back. From welcoming and congratulating incoming Batten Scholars, to sharing my journey with prospective students, I’ve realized how powerful representation is. Seeing someone who looks like you and who has walked the path you’re about to take, makes all the difference. Being able to reassure others that they belong here? That’s full-circle growth.
Then there was the Path to Power simulation where I became the first woman and first Black woman at Darden to win. And let me tell you, there is nothing like the moment you realize you just outmaneuvered a room full of future CEOs through a combination of strategic moves, persuasion, and perhaps a little bit of luck. It was exhilarating, but more importantly, it reinforced my belief that power isn’t just about position, it’s about influence, relationships, and knowing when to make your move.
A defining experience was my internship as a Go-To-Market Strategist at Emendo AI. There’s nothing quite like startup life to teach you agility and end-to-end project management. One moment, you’re analyzing competitors, the next, you’re developing strategy decks at lightning speed, and before you know it, you’re pitching solutions that might actually shape the company’s direction.
Let’s talk personal experiences and connections you’ve built.
One of my most rewarding experiences was participating as a First Year liaison in Building Goodness in April (BGIA), a student-led charity event where we rolled up our sleeves to renovate homes for those in need. Business school teaches you about impact on a macro level, but moments like these remind you that real change often starts in the smallest, most personal ways.
Beyond structured activities, some of my favorite moments have been hiking trips, DC tech trek and lunches with professors. There’s something special about moving beyond the classroom and having real, unfiltered conversations whether it’s about career advice, leadership philosophy, or which hiking trail makes you question all your life choices.
Darden has taught me that what happens outside the classroom is just as important, if not more than what happens inside it. It’s where leadership is tested, and lifelong connections are built. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the best experiences push you outside your comfort zone and that’s where real growth happens.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself after graduation, and what steps are you taking to get there?
Post graduation, I see myself at the intersection of business, people, and impact working in HR and talent management to help organizations build high-performing teams and create workplaces where people thrive. Long term, my goal is to take everything I’ve learned both in corporate strategy and in my own entrepreneurial journey to build the most inclusive makeup and skincare brand for Black African women.
Whether it’s through HR, entrepreneurship, or a combination of both, I know that my ultimate goal is to create spaces where people whether in an organization or in front of a beauty mirror feel seen, valued, and empowered.
To get there, I’ve been intentional about gaining hands-on experience in talent strategy, leadership development, and business operations. I’ve taken on leadership roles at Darden, from VP of Events for Black Business Student Association (BBSA) to VP of Careers & Academics for Darden African Business Organization (DABO), where I’ve sharpened my ability to bring people together, create meaningful initiatives, and manage cross-functional teams. Most importantly, I’m continuing to build relationships, seek mentorship, and remain open to new opportunities that align with my passion for people and business.
A note from the Darden Career Center
Darden students make a meaningful difference as leaders in organizations. We look forward to sharing more stories through this series – we know you’ll be just as inspired as we are! If you are searching for talent who can bring fresh insight to your organization, follow this series to learn more about what a Darden MBA hire can add to your organization. To start the recruiting process, reach out to us at recruiting@darden.virginia.edu or create an account to view resumes and post roles in the Darden Career Link.
