This week, we’re speaking with Venkatesh Vemulapalli (MBA ’25), who wrapped up his final classes at Darden and is getting ready to graduate!
With graduation just ahead, what are you excited to take on in the next stage of your journey and how do you plan to make an impact on the world?
I’m passionate about working at the intersection of technology and strategy, particularly in roles where I can lead programs and build innovative products that drive real-world impact. I’m excited to leverage my experience in product strategy and program management to help companies develop smarter, more efficient solutions.
Looking back at your time here, could you share with us a highlight from your Darden experience?
One of my proudest moments at Darden came from an unexpected place—theatre class. Initially, I enrolled just for fun, but it quickly became a transformative experience. The class directly tackled my challenges and helped me grow immensely as a communicator and leader. Performing without microphones in front of a packed auditorium taught me to project confidence, structure my thoughts clearly, and connect deeply with my audience. This experience wasn’t just about acting; it was about learning to command attention and build genuine confidence, skills I’ll carry into my professional life.
If you could point to one thing that you learned while at Darden that has shifted your perspective and will help you in the future, what would it be?
One of the most important lessons I learned at Darden is that any problem can be approached from multiple angles. Keeping an open mind and actively seeking diverse perspectives has significantly shifted my perspective. It helps me grasp the bigger picture and unlock innovative solutions that I might not have considered otherwise. This approach will be essential in achieving my goals, enabling me to navigate complex challenges with creativity and adaptability.
