Joan Daly, Luxury & Retail MBA 2025
 |
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: River Edge, NJ
- Undergraduate: Pepperdine University, B.A. Marketing
- Previous Industry: Marketing
- Specializations: Global Business, Luxury Marketing
- Clubs/ Involvement: Graduate Marketing Association, Stern Women in Business, Luxury & Retail Club
Why did you decide to pursue the focused one-year MBA program?
I worked in the beauty and luxury space during my career in marketing. I realized I wanted to expand my skill set and fill in resume gaps, which led me to apply to business school. This program was perfect for my interest in the retail and luxury industries while giving me the edge of getting back to work only one year later!
How did you find a sense of community and support within Stern?
Our cohort is small, and from the get go, we all got to know each other through our summer classes. By making time after class to get coffee or studying in the library for our first final, we really found our Luxury & Retail community in each other.
How would you describe the culture and community within your class?
Our class is extremely inclusive and supportive of one another. The Stern culture is uplifting and I truly feel that I have joined a community of people who will cheer me on throughout my career and my life.
What has been your favorite class at Stern?
I've really liked New Venture Financing. It's taught me a different way of thinking about new ideas, how they get off the ground, and that finance is so much more than numbers and dollar signs.
What has been a highlight of your Stern experience?
I've loved the speakers that have come to my classes, as well as the incredible faculty that teaches classes at Stern. My bankruptcy class was co-taught by Ed Altman, the creator of the Z-score predictor for bankruptcies, and Mark Kronfeld, Global Head of Restructuring at BlackRock. Learning from two incredible minds in the financial bankruptcy and reorganization space has been such an amazing experience.
Why did you choose NYU Stern?
I wanted a top-tier education from a global university; I love that Stern emphasizes real life learning experiences inside and outside of New York City.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Know what's important to YOU in an education, and find a program that suits you. Stern has so much to offer students in the school's various tracks; there is something for everyone if they're able to see it.
How has Stern’s location in NYC impacted your experience?
As a local to New York City, I knew Stern's reputation and was grateful to see how much the school emphasizes learning outside the classroom and in New York City.