UVA Darden Celebrates Expanded DC Presence With Cybersecurity Thought Leadership Event

Members of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business community gathered 20 September in the offices of Sands Capital Management in Rosslyn, Virginia, to celebrate the School’s expanded presence in the Washington, D.C., area, which includes the addition of a full section of Executive and Global Executive MBA students, physical office and event space, and increased staff.

The launch event served as an opportunity to gather School leaders and supporters, as well as to engage in lively conversation on current issues affecting the business community from Sands Capital Management’s rooftop deck, which offered spectacular views of the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., skyline thanks to the generosity of alumnus Frank Sands Jr. (MBA ’94).

Matt Olsen, former National Counterterrorism Center director, co-founder of IronNet Cybersecurity and a UVA graduate, headlined the event with his talk on cybersecurity and national terrorism. Olsen is an expert on national security and has helped lead the nation’s response to threats from terrorism and cyberattacks.

He shared his cutting-edge expertise on these critical issues and the implications that must be addressed by the nation and by current and future business leaders.

Olsen even shared cybersecurity measures he implements with his family, including his son, a first-year student at the University.

“Such a discerning and topical conversation is the paradigm of thought leadership afforded by Darden in D.C.” said Kara Mullins, executive director of Darden’s Office of Advancement. “Having been a Washingtonian for more than 20 years before coming to Darden, I fully understand the breadth of resources afforded by the nation’s capital and the extent of the School’s reach beyond Grounds in this capacity.”

Mullins joined Dean Scott Beardsley and Professor Greg Fairchild (MBA ‘92), associate dean for Washington, D.C., area initiatives and academic director of public policy and entrepreneurship, in celebration of the School’s presence in the capital region.

Dean Beardsley further addressed the significance of Darden’s expanded presence in the D.C. area during his opening remarks at the event, remarking on the area’s role as a hub of business, a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity and a vibrant public policy ecosystem.

“It’s also home to Darden’s largest alumni base,” Beardsley said. “There are 1,500 Darden alumni and 36,000 UVA alumni in D.C. As a business school with a charge to develop the next generation of globally minded, world-changing leaders, we need to be here.”

The launch event served as the first of many planned events to connect global business experts and Darden’s dynamic network.

To support Darden initiatives in the Washington, D.C., area, please contact Kara Mullins at +1-434-243-0834 or mullinsk@darden.virginia.edu.