After completing an undergraduate degree in Finance from Notre Dame, I spent my years prior to Cornell as a financial consultant for Arthur Andersen LLP. During this time, I was exposed to a myriad of businesses, a variety of leaders and many complex business issues. I spent most of this time honing my analytical skills through completion of due diligence assignments related to asset based lending and equity buy-outs. During my time at Andersen, the glimpses into HR practices and people impacts lead me to make the career change to HR and pursue my master's degree. Cornell's outstanding academic reputation was a huge draw for me. The opportunities to continue my interactions with senior leaders via their visits to campus and the "real life" case studies, only drew me closer.

After graduation I joined Bank of America. I have spent most of my time at BAC working in Learning and Organizational Effectiveness, partnering with senior business leaders to determine their strategies for associate development and training, organizational design and the overall transformation of their businesses. I have had the opportunity and am expected, to coach executives, provide feedback on their leadership potential and help determine the next steps for many high-potential leaders at our company. I work closely with other HR groups to execute leadership development programs, drive integration strategies and create innovative ways to increase associate satisfaction. I have now been promoted to the position of Learning and Organizational Consultant where I support three senior leaders and their teams. In this role I also currently manage a team of 8 (all virtual). Not bad for two years out of school!

Without the professional development, opportunities to practice the application of thought and theory, and the foundational human resource knowledge provided in the MILR program, I truly believe that I would not have been given the responsibility (nor have the ability to perform) that I have been to date at Bank of America. Those who have the opportunity to grow through the MILR program are truly at competitive advantage. I am excited about what lies ahead of me, both at Bank of America and possibly other places and am very thankful for development and preparation Cornell's program provided.

- Carolyn Parnell, MILR '04