By Sara Hinds
Going for an advanced degree is an investment of your time, money and effort. The payoff is worth it, personally and professionally, say Kim Barrett ’12L, ’26B, and Blinda Weber ’96L, ’25B. Both women earned their Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees and noticed the immediate impact they could make in their workplaces, and the doors that opened for them.
Kim Barrett ’12L, ’26B
Paralegal at Endacott Timmer PC LLO
I have always been an intellectually curious person in my professional life. Obtaining my MBA was a logical next path and my experience with the undergraduate program at Doane University was the basis for looking into this MBA program.
From the moment I journeyed into my first graduate class, the MBA curriculum enhanced my knowledge in many areas of my work as a paralegal. I gained an expanded understanding of complex financial products directly benefiting the high-net-worth clients, banks, and financial professionals with whom I work. I learned new perspectives on efficiency and tackling challenges at the organizational level which I have utilized in the act of improving processes at the firm. Self-reflective tools I obtained in leadership class have had a positive effect on both work and personal relationships.
From the personal perspective, I benefited from the wonderful professors and fellow graduate students with whom I shared a classroom, many of whom are from other nationalities, represent different generations, or represent alternative professional backgrounds. If I had any advice, it would be to embrace your curiosity. Knowledge and experience are currencies that cannot be stolen.
Blinda Weber ’96L, ’25B
Vice President of Business Migration and Transformation at Ameritas
When I decided to pursue my MBA at Doane University, I had two clear goals in mind. The first was to grow as a leader and expand my ability to contribute strategically within my organization. The second was deeply personal, as I aimed to achieve a long-term goal of becoming an adjunct professor.
Throughout the program, I was able to immediately apply what I was learning to my role at Ameritas, where I am involved in a major transformation across both business and technology. The MBA strengthened my ability to think more holistically about organizational change, connect strategy to execution, and communicate effectively across teams. This has been especially valuable as companies continue to navigate evolving workplace dynamics, including remote collaboration, virtual communication, and the growing role of AI-enabled tools.
What I did not fully anticipate was how the MBA would also open the door to my teaching goal sooner than expected. This past Fall semester, I had the opportunity to teach a business communication course on campus to undergraduate students. Being able to combine my industry experience with academic concepts created a meaningful classroom experience, where I could share real-world perspectives on how communication and workplace interaction are evolving. It was incredibly rewarding to help students connect what they are learning to what they will experience in their careers.
Earning my MBA did more than advance my career; it helped me fulfill a personal milestone and create an opportunity to give back through education. That combination of professional growth and personal achievement has made the experience especially impactful.
