Dana graduated in 2020 and has minors in Marketing and Communications.
Dana has completed her MBA and is currently working as the Sourcing and Procurement Manager for Yale Hospitality, the food service department within Yale University.
Dana’s Current Role
I am working as the Sourcing and Procurement Manager for Yale Hospitality. I play an important role in facilitating the purchases the university makes for this department. I work with many people—some domestic and others across the globe, building collaborative relationships and partnerships with them so that our team gets the support it needs, especially with the changing supply chain.
Dana on Pursuing an MBA
I think that an MBA is an important thing for anybody to have to better understand and work within an organization and to manage people from all over the world. You need to acquire those skills, and I think it positions you very well in the marketplace in comparison to others.
Dana on Cultural Differences
When I took my first job outside of NYC, I quickly realized that diversity wasn’t as prevalent, as many people tended to stay local. I had to actively share my own culture with colleagues while also learning about the cultural norms that influenced their perspectives and work styles. My time at Baruch College had prepared me well for this transition. It provided me with the opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping me hone my communication skills and deepen my understanding of global work dynamics. This experience was invaluable, equipping me with the tools to navigate and adapt to various workplace cultures and standards.
Dana on Addressing Cultural Differences
For example, in the supply chain, we had an issue with not having parts for a specific healthcare machine I was managing. My approach was to think outside the box. I don’t take “no” for an answer easily, so I focused on analyzing the situation—what we had, what we didn’t, and how we could find alternatives. It was about asking the right questions and finding creative solutions.
Dana on IB @ Baruch
I remember taking a course called Interpersonal Communications, and it really highlighted the importance of understanding where people are coming from—how to approach a problem, how to communicate with them, and what’s appropriate to say or do. The key is doing your homework and putting in the time to understand the cultures you work with.
Dana’s Advice
For students Interested in Procurement: If I were a student studying IB now, I’d definitely take some tech or business analytics courses to understand the industry better. It’s less about hardware and more about software now. Procurement professionals need a strong technical background to navigate the industry effectively. You don’t have to code, but understanding processes, innovation, and the impacts on companies, individuals, societies, and cultures is essential.
Advice to all IB students: Live in the moment. It’s easy to stick with people who are similar to you, but thinking outside the box and building friendships with people from other cultures can be incredibly eye-opening.