Leighton Douglass

Home Country: United States

Home State: TX

Undergraduate Institution: University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Bachelor of Architecture, Architecture Major

Pre-MBA Industry: Architecture

Pre-MBA Company: PBK Architects

Pre-MBA Title: Technical Designer/Project Manager

Desired industry post-MBA: Real Estate

Desired job function post-MBA: Real Estate Development or Investment Associate

Summer Internship Company: The Dinerstein Companies

Summer Internship Position: Investment Analyst Intern

Degree Concentrations: Finance, Real Estate

Student Organization Membership: Real Estate Association, Rice Business Board Fellows, Forte, Golf Club, Rice Business Women's Organization, The Finer Things Club, Wine Club, Other

Other Committee: Cork and Cask Club (Wine Club + Finer Things Club)

Officer: Real Estate Association First Year Board Member 2025-2026, Co-President 2026-2027
Cork and Cask Club, Co-President 2026-2027

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been how intentional most professors are in their teaching. For example, they recognize that we don't need to be experts in data analytics or CLV, but we do need to understand the experts doing the work and know how to apply results. Professors also provide extra materials for these kinds of topics in case people do want a more complex understanding of how these tools work, but don't require them for everyone, so people can spend more time focusing on topics they are really interested in. I had not been used to that type of intentionality from professors before. They recognize that we are technically pursuing a management degree, so we really need to understand the theories behind good decision-making, rather than how to code and produce extremely complex regressions.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? My favorite thing (other than the classes and recruiting) about my MBA experience so far has definitely been the people. I look forward to all of our social events, including Partio and RBSA events, because the people are so fantastic, intelligent, accomplished, and fun to hang out with. I have met friends who I am now personally friends with outside of school. The different social clubs Rice has also helped facilitate some of these friendships. I am looking forward to another year of being surrounded by such amazing people.

What do you love most about Houston? I've been here for almost four years now and my favorite thing is the social culture. The people are fantastic and so friendly and open to newcomers. There are so many ways to meet new people and find true life-long friends here (I also met my fiancé here!). There are so many amazing bars and restaurants that are fun to try with friends, and there are always different events going on throughout the city. You will never be bored!

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective? Everything will work out the way that it is meant to - take the risk.