Ryan Uyehara (MBA’28)
Faces of Leeds Snapshot
Name: Ryan Uyehara
Major: Hybrid MBA
Hometown: Uyehara grew up, in part, in the democratically transitioning countries of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Ukraine.
What drew you to the Leeds MBA, and what do you hope it helps you do next?
After 15 years in the Army, Congress, and advising senior leaders in the federal government, I saw colleagues who had MBAs excel because of the skills they had learned in business school. Beyond Leeds’excellent reputation for quality, I was also inspired by its values-first approach to business. By teaching me those vital skills, I hope that a Leeds MBA will help me become a better leader and strategist wherever I go next.
How has the coursework so far changed the way you approach problems and advise decision-makers?
There are a couple ways that coursework is changing how I approach problems. I think it has helped me become more organized and rigorous as I consider problems and potential solutions. Practically, I'm grateful for courses like Managerial Economics and Accounting for teaching me the language, and, in some respects, the motivation of firms. Regardless of whether I pursue a career in business or return to the public sector, I'll be able to take that perspective and awareness to decision-makers.
What has the Leeds community, from classmates to faculty, meant to you so far, and what would you tell other veterans considering an MBA?
For the veterans out there, I think an MBA is a natural fit. The military teaches you a set of values, an approach to solving problems, and how to get things done. I think an MBA does that as well. Both groups, MBA and military service, draw on high achievers who are purpose-driven, so there's a fit there, and I’d recommend looking at an MBA to any veteran who's interested in leading, building and getting stuff done, as we did in the military.
After some time out of school, what's been the most surprising (or funniest) part of being a student again?
I’ve been surprised in the ways I’m similar to the way I was in college and not. I still procrastinate way too much. Despite years of leading teams and projects, I’m probably too disorganized. But also, I’m still a front-row kid who asks too many questions because I'm an innately curious person.
I am tremendously grateful to the Leeds community. I've been lucky to have found a couple classmates who I regularly study with, and I am humbled by their thoughtfulness, curiosity, lack of ego and willingness to help.