Lydia Brantley

Professionals - Weekend
Current Industry/Job: Oil & Gas / Director, Investor Relations
From: Houston, TX

Favorite quote and why:

"Perfect is the enemy of good." - Voltaire. Take a timed exam, and you'll understand.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor and why?

Bill Cunningham, an 87-year-old New York Times fashion photographer, because of his humility, grace and passion for what he does. He lives what he loves.

Best memory from your first year in the MBA program:

Getting to know my classmates and their stories in Dr. Tobin's class - and on our 15-minute breaks in the grass.

What story does your family always tell about you?

I was OBSESSED with frogs. I used to go on weekly frog-catching walks through my neighborhood. One time, I came home holding five frogs in my arms, when my dad told me to leave the frogs outside. When I let them go and started to walk inside, he looked at me skeptically and asked, "any more?" I sheepishly pulled an additional three out of my pocket.

What advice would you like to provide incoming students?

When you're trying to balance school, work and life, instead of saying, "I don't have time" consider saying, "it's not a priority." Changing your words may help you realize what really matters and can help frame your decisions on how you spend your time. Accept now that school won't always win - and that's totally okay.

Any additional unique facts you would like to share:

The coffee shop opens at 10AM on Saturdays, and Valhalla is closed no matter when you go on weekends.