Laura is photographed wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in White Casual Cotton with the Donnybrook Denim Midi Skirt in our 2010 wash.
FRANK & EILEEN: You studied Cognitive Science at the University of Virginia and have worked in financial services since graduating; what inspired you to uproot your life in San Francisco to pursue an MBA?
LAURA: I decided to pursue an MBA to deepen my foundations in core business topics like accounting and finance. While I loved San Francisco, MIT had always been my dream school due to its strengths in technology and entrepreneurship. The opportunity to learn in a dynamic and research-focused environment—combined with my husband's support in making the move with me—made the decision feel right!
LAURA: I decided to pursue an MBA to deepen my foundations in core business topics like accounting and finance. While I loved San Francisco, MIT had always been my dream school due to its strengths in technology and entrepreneurship. The opportunity to learn in a dynamic and research-focused environment—combined with my husband's support in making the move with me—made the decision feel right!
FRANK & EILEEN: You studied Cognitive Science at the University of Virginia and have worked in financial services since graduating; what inspired you to uproot your life in San Francisco to pursue an MBA?
LAURA: I decided to pursue an MBA to deepen my foundations in core business topics like accounting and finance. While I loved San Francisco, MIT had always been my dream school due to its strengths in technology and entrepreneurship. The opportunity to learn in a dynamic and research-focused environment—combined with my husband's support in making the move with me—made the decision feel right!
LAURA: I decided to pursue an MBA to deepen my foundations in core business topics like accounting and finance. While I loved San Francisco, MIT had always been my dream school due to its strengths in technology and entrepreneurship. The opportunity to learn in a dynamic and research-focused environment—combined with my husband's support in making the move with me—made the decision feel right!
F&E: After matching with The Frank & Eileen Female Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship and meeting F&E founder and CEO Audrey on campus this past fall, what about Frank & Eileen's mission resonates most with you?
LAURA: I love that Frank & Eileen has retained full ownership as it has grown, enabling the business to prioritize what matters—from maintaining uncompromising material quality to giving back to the community and achieving B-Corp certification. As someone working in industry verticals with significant gender imbalance at the executive level, I'm particularly inspired by the F&E giving pledge to empower future female leaders. I’m deeply grateful to have been matched with F&E and to have developed a relationship with Audrey and the team that will continue after I graduate.
LAURA: I love that Frank & Eileen has retained full ownership as it has grown, enabling the business to prioritize what matters—from maintaining uncompromising material quality to giving back to the community and achieving B-Corp certification. As someone working in industry verticals with significant gender imbalance at the executive level, I'm particularly inspired by the F&E giving pledge to empower future female leaders. I’m deeply grateful to have been matched with F&E and to have developed a relationship with Audrey and the team that will continue after I graduate.
F&E: After matching with The Frank & Eileen Female Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship and meeting F&E founder and CEO Audrey on campus this past fall, what about Frank & Eileen's mission resonates most with you?
LAURA: I love that Frank & Eileen has retained full ownership as it has grown, enabling the business to prioritize what matters—from maintaining uncompromising material quality to giving back to the community and achieving B-Corp certification. As someone working in industry verticals with significant gender imbalance at the executive level, I'm particularly inspired by the F&E giving pledge to empower future female leaders. I’m deeply grateful to have been matched with F&E and to have developed a relationship with Audrey and the team that will continue after I graduate.
LAURA: I love that Frank & Eileen has retained full ownership as it has grown, enabling the business to prioritize what matters—from maintaining uncompromising material quality to giving back to the community and achieving B-Corp certification. As someone working in industry verticals with significant gender imbalance at the executive level, I'm particularly inspired by the F&E giving pledge to empower future female leaders. I’m deeply grateful to have been matched with F&E and to have developed a relationship with Audrey and the team that will continue after I graduate.
Laura is wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in Green Stripe Superluxe, Theo Perfect Tee in White, and Donnybrook Denim Midi Skirt in our 2010 wash.
Laura is wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in Green Stripe Superluxe, Theo Perfect Tee in White, and Donnybrook Denim Midi Skirt in our 2010 wash.
F&E: What would you consider the standout experience of your MBA at MIT thus far? Have you gotten involved in many initiatives or felt drawn toward any new paths or interests?
LAURA: The standout experience of my time so far has been learning from the MIT ecosystem at Sloan and beyond. I’ve taken on new challenges, including working part-time at an MIT spin-off company developing more efficient artificial intelligence foundation models. Additionally, as co-chair of the MIT Fintech conference, I have the privilege of bringing together hundreds of students, industry and policy leaders, startup founders, and academics to make connections and contribute to the advancement of financial services.
LAURA: The standout experience of my time so far has been learning from the MIT ecosystem at Sloan and beyond. I’ve taken on new challenges, including working part-time at an MIT spin-off company developing more efficient artificial intelligence foundation models. Additionally, as co-chair of the MIT Fintech conference, I have the privilege of bringing together hundreds of students, industry and policy leaders, startup founders, and academics to make connections and contribute to the advancement of financial services.
F&E: What would you consider the standout experience of your MBA at MIT thus far? Have you gotten involved in many initiatives or felt drawn toward any new paths or interests?
LAURA: The standout experience of my time so far has been learning from the MIT ecosystem at Sloan and beyond. I’ve taken on new challenges, including working part-time at an MIT spin-off company developing more efficient artificial intelligence foundation models. Additionally, as co-chair of the MIT Fintech conference, I have the privilege of bringing together hundreds of students, industry and policy leaders, startup founders, and academics to make connections and contribute to the advancement of financial services.
LAURA: The standout experience of my time so far has been learning from the MIT ecosystem at Sloan and beyond. I’ve taken on new challenges, including working part-time at an MIT spin-off company developing more efficient artificial intelligence foundation models. Additionally, as co-chair of the MIT Fintech conference, I have the privilege of bringing together hundreds of students, industry and policy leaders, startup founders, and academics to make connections and contribute to the advancement of financial services.
F&E: How does marrying the demands of your MBA, professional commitments, and everyday life influence your clothing choices and personal style? What are your go-to pieces?
LAURA: I prefer outfits that transition easily between biking to class and leading professional meetings. A simple F&E button-up (white Famous Denim is my go-to!), jeans and my favorite ballet flats help me stay comfortable and confident day-to-day. For a more formal look, I might pair my Dublin blazer and Eileen button-up in Superluxe with a pair of tailored pants and heeled boots.
LAURA: I prefer outfits that transition easily between biking to class and leading professional meetings. A simple F&E button-up (white Famous Denim is my go-to!), jeans and my favorite ballet flats help me stay comfortable and confident day-to-day. For a more formal look, I might pair my Dublin blazer and Eileen button-up in Superluxe with a pair of tailored pants and heeled boots.
F&E: How does marrying the demands of your MBA, professional commitments, and everyday life influence your clothing choices and personal style? What are your go-to pieces?
LAURA: I prefer outfits that transition easily between biking to class and leading professional meetings. A simple F&E button-up (white Famous Denim is my go-to!), jeans and my favorite ballet flats help me stay comfortable and confident day-to-day. For a more formal look, I might pair my Dublin blazer and Eileen button-up in Superluxe with a pair of tailored pants and heeled boots.
LAURA: I prefer outfits that transition easily between biking to class and leading professional meetings. A simple F&E button-up (white Famous Denim is my go-to!), jeans and my favorite ballet flats help me stay comfortable and confident day-to-day. For a more formal look, I might pair my Dublin blazer and Eileen button-up in Superluxe with a pair of tailored pants and heeled boots.
Laura is photographed wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in White Casual Cotton with the Donnybrook Denim Midi Skirt in our 2010 wash.
Laura is photographed wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in White Casual Cotton, Dublin Sweatshirt Blazer in British Royal Navy Triple Fleece, and Derry Signature Jean in our 2001 wash.
F&E: Do you have any plans for the future after completing your MBA?
LAURA: I plan to finish my MBA in May 2025 with certificates in Analytics and Product Management. I care about issues that impact consumers within financial technology, like ensuring machine learning models are more transparent and trustworthy, protecting vulnerable populations against fraud, and creating delightful commerce experiences. I'm excited to continue pushing in these spaces post-graduation with the business and technical knowledge I’ve gained from my time at MIT!
LAURA: I plan to finish my MBA in May 2025 with certificates in Analytics and Product Management. I care about issues that impact consumers within financial technology, like ensuring machine learning models are more transparent and trustworthy, protecting vulnerable populations against fraud, and creating delightful commerce experiences. I'm excited to continue pushing in these spaces post-graduation with the business and technical knowledge I’ve gained from my time at MIT!
F&E: Do you have any plans for the future after completing your MBA?
LAURA: I plan to finish my MBA in May 2025 with certificates in Analytics and Product Management. I care about issues that impact consumers within financial technology, like ensuring machine learning models are more transparent and trustworthy, protecting vulnerable populations against fraud, and creating delightful commerce experiences. I'm excited to continue pushing in these spaces post-graduation with the business and technical knowledge I’ve gained from my time at MIT!
LAURA: I plan to finish my MBA in May 2025 with certificates in Analytics and Product Management. I care about issues that impact consumers within financial technology, like ensuring machine learning models are more transparent and trustworthy, protecting vulnerable populations against fraud, and creating delightful commerce experiences. I'm excited to continue pushing in these spaces post-graduation with the business and technical knowledge I’ve gained from my time at MIT!
Thanks for cozying up for 'a cuppa with' Laura!
Photography by: Lindsay Belair
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