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Leadership Development & Strategy Summer Associate, Ferrazzi Greenlight; Summer Intern, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC
Michael Chao has long been passionate about two things: his beloved Texas Longhorns ("I bleed orange," he says) and embracing new challenges.
He runs marathons and triathlons. He's traveled in Afghanistan and Haiti (as well as India, Australia and New Zealand). He was on the reality show "Wipeout."
After graduating from college, the Austin native took a position with Anheuser-Busch InBev, where he led national grassroots campaigns for such megabrands as Budweiser and Bud Light. To propel his promising career in brand management, Michael sought an MBA. He chose Owen for "the culture, the people and the city" (the last of which allows him to indulge his love of music).
Here, he discovered what he calls his true passion: leadership development. Participating in Owen's signature Leadership Development Program, he says, has defined his MBA experience. "From the executive coaching to the team coaching and my independent study, it has taught me that the core business of business is people. I will take all I have learned from the LDP program to develop and lead other people to success." With two summer internships in leadership—one at the Center for Creative Leadership and another at the consulting firm of #1 New York Times bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi—he's off to a good start.
"Owen," he says, "has showed me what my passion is and how to pursue a career with that passion. It has given me a new perspective on life."
Michael Chao
Vanderbilt MBA 2011Leadership Development & Strategy Summer Associate, Ferrazzi Greenlight; Summer Intern, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC
Redefining His Brand
Chao Finds True Passion in LeadershipMichael Chao has long been passionate about two things: his beloved Texas Longhorns ("I bleed orange," he says) and embracing new challenges.
He runs marathons and triathlons. He's traveled in Afghanistan and Haiti (as well as India, Australia and New Zealand). He was on the reality show "Wipeout."
After graduating from college, the Austin native took a position with Anheuser-Busch InBev, where he led national grassroots campaigns for such megabrands as Budweiser and Bud Light. To propel his promising career in brand management, Michael sought an MBA. He chose Owen for "the culture, the people and the city" (the last of which allows him to indulge his love of music).
Here, he discovered what he calls his true passion: leadership development. Participating in Owen's signature Leadership Development Program, he says, has defined his MBA experience. "From the executive coaching to the team coaching and my independent study, it has taught me that the core business of business is people. I will take all I have learned from the LDP program to develop and lead other people to success." With two summer internships in leadership—one at the Center for Creative Leadership and another at the consulting firm of #1 New York Times bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi—he's off to a good start.
"Owen," he says, "has showed me what my passion is and how to pursue a career with that passion. It has given me a new perspective on life."
