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From Self-Awareness to Leadership Impact
Thursday, 12 February 2026
9:30 AM EST
Zoom
Melinda Allen
Executive Director of Leadership Development Programs
Vanderbilt University- Owen Graduate School of Management Melinda Allen has served as Executive Director of Leadership Development Programs for the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University for seven years. In that role, she has led the effort to build this program into the exciting and highly differentiated program it is today. Prior to that, Melinda served for nine years in Admissions and Career Management roles at both Owen and Goizueta Business School at Emory University, making a total of 16 years that she has worked with graduate business students and the corporate community that hires them. While she has held several other roles outside of Academia, the most exciting was as a Staffing Manager during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where she recruited, trained, and retained almost 1,400 contractors, volunteers and staff members across 40 non-competition venues.
Jalen Brown
Assistant Director and Lead Diversity Recruiter of MBA Recruiting and Admission
Vanderbilt University- Owen Graduate School of Management Jalen Brown joined the Owen community in 2023 as an Assistant Director and Lead Diversity Recruiter of MBA Recruiting and Admissions. In this role, Jalen serves as the primary point of contact for recruiting efforts for underrepresented minority students. He received a B.A. from Kentucky State University and holds an M.A.E. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Western Kentucky University. Prior to joining the Owen team, Jalen spent time as a Specialist for Diversity Recruitment at Western Kentucky University and worked within the university’s Intercultural Student Engagement Center. Jalen is also coming with experience working at the K-12 levels as a Family Resource and Youth Services coordinator. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, watching sporting events, and listening to/creating music.
Executive Director of Leadership Development Programs
Vanderbilt University- Owen Graduate School of Management Melinda Allen has served as Executive Director of Leadership Development Programs for the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University for seven years. In that role, she has led the effort to build this program into the exciting and highly differentiated program it is today. Prior to that, Melinda served for nine years in Admissions and Career Management roles at both Owen and Goizueta Business School at Emory University, making a total of 16 years that she has worked with graduate business students and the corporate community that hires them. While she has held several other roles outside of Academia, the most exciting was as a Staffing Manager during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where she recruited, trained, and retained almost 1,400 contractors, volunteers and staff members across 40 non-competition venues.
Assistant Director and Lead Diversity Recruiter of MBA Recruiting and Admission
Vanderbilt University- Owen Graduate School of Management Jalen Brown joined the Owen community in 2023 as an Assistant Director and Lead Diversity Recruiter of MBA Recruiting and Admissions. In this role, Jalen serves as the primary point of contact for recruiting efforts for underrepresented minority students. He received a B.A. from Kentucky State University and holds an M.A.E. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Western Kentucky University. Prior to joining the Owen team, Jalen spent time as a Specialist for Diversity Recruitment at Western Kentucky University and worked within the university’s Intercultural Student Engagement Center. Jalen is also coming with experience working at the K-12 levels as a Family Resource and Youth Services coordinator. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, watching sporting events, and listening to/creating music.Our Leadership Development Program (LDP) is not a class. It is an experience layered onto your classes, job search, and student activities. How much time you spend on your leadership development program—1 hour a week or 5 hours a week or more—depends on your personal goals and your level of interest and commitment. The Leadership Development Program is not mandatory as part of your MBA degree requirements, but it’s available to all students. Discover what leadership development looks like in each of the stages of your MBA experience.
Learn tools for resilience
How to build strong soft skills
Learn how to choose leadership styles
Gain insights into programs & offerings
Expert Guidance
Network with experienced leaders
The Owen Graduate School of Management is the business school of Vanderbilt University, a prestigious private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Established in 1969, Owen is known for delivering high-impact business education with a strong focus on leadership, ethics, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. The school is named after Ralph Owen, an alumnus and former CEO of NCR Corporation, whose contributions helped shape its mission and growth. Owen is recognized for its small class sizes, which encourage close interaction between students and faculty and foster a collaborative learning environment. The school emphasizes a tight-knit community, personalized career support, and strong mentorship, helping students develop both analytical expertise and essential soft skills. Academically, Owen offers programs such as the Full-Time MBA, Executive MBA, MS in Finance, Master of Accountancy, and healthcare-focused degrees. The school is AACSB-accredited and enjoys strong recruitment outcomes across consulting, finance, healthcare, and technology industries.
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