How UVA Darden’s Executive MBA Is Empowering a Leader to Transform Oral Healthcare

“Let’s see… how many flights has it been?” Jimmy Anthony (Class of 2025) pauses, counting silently on his fingers. “At least 30, maybe more. Enough that I’ve got the airport layouts memorized.”

Each trip — from Little Rock, Ark., to Washington, D.C., and abroad — marks another step in his journey through the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Executive MBA program. Until recently, Anthony served as vice president of strategic customer solutions at Delta Dental of Arkansas, a role that spurred his pursuit of an MBA — not just for career growth but to reshape the future of oral healthcare. Today, he is president of a new venture, Bravere, which he is building from the ground up.

Jimmy Anthony (far left) on his first leadership residency in Charlottesville.

Bridging Strategy and Service

“Healthcare is complex, especially oral healthcare,” Anthony says. “What we did at Delta Dental impacted people’s quality of life, and that’s a responsibility I took seriously.”

At Delta Dental, Anthony led accounts representing more than half of the company’s business, balancing growth and customer satisfaction.

At Bravere, Anthony is applying his experience and insights to support independent dental practices. Bravere’s model offers operational and administrative support, reduces financial risks for dentists, and introduces high-impact solutions to make dental care more affordable and accessible.

“Darden has helped me take a step back and think about the bigger picture — how to connect business decisions to real outcomes,” Anthony says. “The case method forces you to approach problems from different angles, which directly applies to what we’re building at Bravere.”

Anthony emphasizes the value of learning from his peers, whose diverse backgrounds provide fresh perspectives.

“You’re working alongside people from tech, finance, manufacturing — you name it,” he explains. “Hearing how they tackle challenges in their industries helps you think differently about your own. It’s those late-night discussions, where someone challenges your thinking, that push you to grow.”

Jimmy Anthony on a global residency in Vietnam.

Expanding Horizons Through Global Experiences

From company visits and executive panels to cultural immersions, Anthony’s travels with the EMBA program to Finland, Estonia, Germany and Vietnam have broadened his perspective.

“Spending a week abroad, visiting companies and hearing from executives — it makes you think differently about the challenges we face back home,” he says. “It’s a reminder that innovation can come from anywhere, and it pushes you to think beyond your own industry.”

Delta Dental of Arkansas sponsored Anthony’s participation in Darden’s Executive MBA program, which includes one global residency as part of the curriculum. However, Anthony’s drive to expand his learning led him to pursue additional global residencies.

His ability to do so is thanks, in part, to the Marian Chapman Moore Leadership Award — a recognition given to a Second-Year EMBA student who exemplifies collaborative and principled leadership. Funded through generous contributions from alumni, faculty and friends of the Darden community, the award honors Professor Moore, whose pioneering work helped establish Darden’s Executive MBA program. The award not only recognizes academic excellence and leadership but also provides financial support that enables students to seize opportunities beyond the standard curriculum.

“It’s not just financial support — it’s the confidence that others believe in what I can do,” Anthony says. “Having that extra support allowed me to immerse myself in different global healthcare systems, and that exposure is shaping the way I think about what’s possible for Bravere and the industry as a whole.”

Jimmy Anthony (far left) accepts the Marian Chapman Moore Leadership Award.

What’s Next for Oral Healthcare?

Looking ahead, Anthony reflects on the evolving dental industry.

“Technology, customer expectations and the way we deliver care — it’s all shifting. I’m excited to be part of that change,” he says. “There’s a lot of opportunity to do things differently, to make oral healthcare more accessible and efficient. And what I’m learning at Darden is helping me prepare for that future — not just as an executive, but as a leader.”

Anthony graduates in May and is already leading Bravere, which was made possible through a significant investment from Delta Dental. Although Bravere operates independently, the two organizations share a common goal of improving oral health. Unlike traditional dental support organizations typically backed by private equity, Bravere’s unique model prioritizes the sustainability of community dental practices over investor returns.

“None of this would’ve happened without my experience at Darden,” Anthony says. “I’m looking forward to building Bravere and continuing this journey.”

And while the frequent flights may taper off after Anthony completes his EMBA program, there’s still plenty of mileage left on his journey.

Support Scholarships for All

Day for Darden is Wednesday, 9 April 2025. Every gift to the Darden Annual Fund, no matter the size, directly supports scholarships that empower students from all walks of life, including Executive MBA students. Your contribution helps fund opportunities for future leaders to thrive at Darden. To make a difference, make your gift early.