Goodwill’s New Resale Platform Is Way More High-Tech Than You Might Think
As Black Friday approaches, savvy shoppers are discovering that thrifting offers a sustainable alternative to traditional retail, with unique finds at bargain prices. One leader transforming the thrift shopping experience is Matt Kaness (MBA '02). When the opportunity to serve as CEO arose to lead GoodwillFinds eCommerce, a new social enterprise building an online marketplace for Goodwill organizations nationwide, he leapt at the chance.
From the Slopes to Startups: How Madelyn Merchant is Carving Her Path in Fintech
“Pizza! French fries! Pizza! French fries!” Madelyn Merchant (Class of 2025) yelled, coaxing a group of preschoolers down a beginner ski slope in Sun Valley, Idaho. It was 2018, and Merchant, fresh out of undergrad, had traded the office grind for the fresh air of the mountains. She had always wanted to be a ski instructor, and here she was, guiding her students through the basics, teaching them how to steer their skis with simple shapes. But there was something else she was learning in those moments on the mountain — something that had little to do with skiing.
Trump Will Bring Change for Business, Economy. Darden Experts Have Ideas.
From taxes to tariffs, trade to regulations, change is coming for business and economic interests during the second presidency of Donald Trump. The Darden Report checked in with Darden School of Business experts to get reactions on some areas that seem certain to be affected by another Trump administration, combined with a Republican-controlled Congress.
How Two Business School Classmates Are Bringing Comfort to U.S. Navy Sailors
Reyes and Reid Townsend (MBA ’00), who first crossed paths as classmates at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, never expected their bond would lead to this — a project to build the first-ever United Service Organizations (USO) centers aboard U.S. Navy ships.
UVA Darden Student Isabela Batista’s Journey from Favela to Finance
When Isabela Batista (Class of 2025) left her growing business in Rio de Janeiro to attend the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, she wasn’t just pursuing an MBA — she was pushing her limits.
Conservation Is a Long Game. Dorothy Batten Is More Than Ready.
Under Darden alumna Dorothy Batten’s leadership, Oakencroft Farm & Winery is a sustainability-first enterprise in every aspect, from land management to wine production. Batten's lifelong passion for conservation informs her approach, and she hopes their sustainable methods will spread as climate changes continues to threaten the environment and human thriving.
