Danielle Hunsicker (EMBA ’23) from the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh is among the Poets&Quants’ 2023 Best and Brightest Executive MBAs across the globe.
The list celebrates students from the Class of 2023 who embody the excellence and voices of their schools. These students are considered to “personify excellence – be it academic performance, extracurricular involvement, or professional achievement.”
“Danielle’s performance throughout the EMBA program was exceptional, demonstrating a deep understanding of business principles and a strong ability to apply them in real-world situations,” notes Prakash Mirchandani, academic director of the Katz Executive MBA program. “Beyond the classroom setting, I found her to be mature and thoughtful. Due to these personal qualities and her professional accomplishments, Danielle is highly regarded by both her peers and the school’s faculty.”
Cohort of Executives
In the Katz Executive MBA program, students have 12+ years of experience and a track record of managing or leading others. To be completed one weekend per month for 19 months, the executive programs include experiential-based learning, a dynamic network of talented and experienced executives across industries, and cross-industry or healthcare focuses.
Learning with other experienced leaders was one of the key reasons Hunsicker decided to enroll in this program.
“The main factor for my decision was that the Executive MBA afforded an opportunity to engage in a cohort comprised of other senior leaders,” she says. “Prior to joining, it had been shared with me that the experience would be enriched by the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with the other cohort members. This was absolutely proven to be the case and was one of the most positive aspects of the program.”
Making Time for School and Helping Others
Hunsicker changed companies, taking a new position as an executive vice president with Diverzify, almost halfway through the program.
“This change gave me the opportunity to work with leaders that I have admired over my career,” Hunsicker says. “To overcome the additional time constraints, I had to redefine my time management practices and lean on my family and support system to help navigate the change and balance of priorities.”
Throughout her career, Hunsicker has volunteered her time to help others. She was a formal mentor while working at PPG Industries and formed a Women’s Leadership Group at Diverzify. She’s most proud of the people she has had a role in developing over the years and plans to continue to help people succeed.
“My long-term goal is to work in a position where I contribute to the strategic vision for the organization while exercising my passion for developing people and driving performance through culture, leadership, and strategic initiatives,” says Hunsicker.
To read more about Hunsicker, click here.
