Hometown: Herndon, VA
Undergraduate education: University of Virginia
Previous occupation: Investment Banking and International Development
Future plans: I am still trying to figure it out! Having worked in both the private and public sectors, I am excited to go back to the private sector, hone in my business skills, and then eventually move back into the social sector to run a non-profit.
Darden activities: National Association of Women MBAs, Section Career Representative, Consulting Club, Net Impact…and a few others!

Payal is a member of the Darden MBA Class of 2012 — she is excited to be back in Charlottesville as a Double Hoo! Born in New Jersey and raised in Ohio, Payal has called the D.C. suburbs home since 10th grade. After graduating from UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce, Payal moved to New York City to work as an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers. She left Lehman in the summer of 2008 and joined the Strategic Initiatives Group of non-profit standout TechnoServe, Inc. After the two most fun and transformative years of her life — filled with working her tail off, traveling around Africa, and most notably, hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro — Payal is excited to be grounded back in Charlottesville! 

So far, her favorite things about Darden are her incredible learning team, amazing section (yeah, Section C!) and fantastic new friends. When she is not consumed by the “Darden bubble,” Payal enjoys going to Bikram Yoga, exploring the weekly Charlottesville Farmer’s Market, eating at old favorite restaurants and hoping for the day she will have time to play a round of golf at Birdwood. Wahoowa!

Read Payal's Blog