Meet the Team: Claire Reifsnyder Brings Darden's World-Class Teaching into the Digital Space

Claire Reifsnyder has spent her career in the business of learning. Her career began teaching middle school social studies, and now she helps adult learners unlock new potential through Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning (EELL) digital programs. As Senior Digital Program Manager, she partners with Darden's faculty to design programs and bring them to life in the digital space, shepherding the full experience from concept to completion. Now five years into her role, Claire recently shared what drew her to this work, why she thinks Darden is uniquely positioned in the age of AI and what lifelong learning looks like when it's lived from the inside out.

How My Career Began

My connection to the University of Virginia and Charlottesville runs deep - I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from UVA, so this community has shaped a big part of who I am.

Before coming to Darden, I spent 10 years teaching middle school social studies. I truly loved being in the classroom and working with students, but after ten years, I started to notice a ceiling. Unless you move intro administration, the opportunities for growth as a classroom teacher begin to plateau.

When I learned about the opportunity at Darden, it felt like a natural next step. I was excited by the chance to continue working in education and supporting learners, but in a new environment and different way.

What I Love About Designing Digital Programs

One of the things I love most about my work is that no two days look exactly the same.

A big part of my role is partnering with faculty to translate exceptional teaching into the digital space. There’s a real art to preserving what makes the Darden classroom experience so engaging while also designing an experience that works thoughtfully online.

I also enjoy exploring new tools and technologies to enhance learning and then bringing those ideas back to my team. Because we work in digital learning, others in the organization look to us for what’s new and what’s worth implementing, not only for digital programs but for in-person programs as well. Our team leads that exploration and innovation.

Another rewarding part of the role is creating digital learning experiences that feel smooth, intuitive, and personal for learners. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with clients to develop solutions tailored to their unique needs, and through that process, I’ve also experienced a tremendous amount of personal and professional growth at Darden.

Navigating AI in Digital Learning

There’s still a lot of uncertainty around AI - both in terms of what it can do and how to use it well. That’s part of why Darden is so well positioned right now, as our learners are looking to us for guidance. 

We’ve taken that responsibility seriously. Through our partnership with Abilitie, we’ve incorporated AI-driven case simulations that allow learners to practice new skills in a safe environment before applying them on the job. At the same time, we’re using AI internally to simplify and streamline our work so we can make better use of people’s time. Our course platform, NovoEd, has integrated AI tools that support course design, development, and learner feedback. Overall, the response has been very positive - especially because we’ve been intentionally transparent in how we’re using AI. 

What Sets Darden's Digital Programs Apart

The Darden experience is known for being unique, high-touch, and personalized. That's certainly the case when you come to Grounds, but it's also the case in our digital programs.

We do a lot to preemptively address participants' needs so they can focus on the learning and not on navigating the digital environment. Our faculty are the number one business school teaching faculty, and that's evident when you spend time with them even in a digital setting. They take a significant interest in students and are always willing to communicate, stay in touch, and provide additional support.

At the end of the day, it’s the stellar faculty combined with the amount of care and effort we put into making sure the experience is helpful and conducive to learning that sets Darden apart.

The Moments That Stay with You

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing participants make meaningful connections – and then hearing how those moments translate into real impact in their careers. It’s rarely just a single standout moment; it’s the collective energy and momentum of participants as they engage deeply, learn, and then carry those insights back into the workplace in tangible ways.

What Lifelong Learning Means to Me

Personally, lifelong learning means I’m always looking for opportunities to grow – whether that’s expanding my perspective or continuing to build my own capabilities. 

In the work we do, it’s about staying open to new ideas and continuing to evolve throughout your career. One of the things I love most about executive education is the range of people we get to work with – from those just starting out to senior executives at the top of their field. What they all have in common is a willingness to keep learning. They’re there for a reason, and that level of curiosity and commitment is incredibly energizing. Seeing such talented people continue to push themselves to grow is genuinely inspiring.

The same is true of our faculty, which is one of the things I appreciate most about higher education – they are just as committed to their own growth as they are to developing others.