Ambassador Q&A: Cynthia Umutoni ’25

Cynthia Umutoni
Undergraduate: B.S.B.A., Finance, Duquesne University
Location: Seattle, WA
Company: Amazon
Job Title: Senior Financial Analyst
Industry: Tech
LinkedIn

What is your motivation for pursuing an M.S. in Business Analytics?

My work experience prior to the MSBA program in corporate financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and strategy development made it clear that strong data analytics skills are not just “nice to have,” but necessary to effectively solve complex business problems and design innovative solutions. I ultimately decided to pursue an MSBA to expand my data analytics skills, facilitate data-driven decisions, and continue to advance my career.

What led you to UVA’s MSBA program?

UVA’s MSBA program stood out to me due to its one-year length, experiential learning model, and access to extensive resources from the Darden Business School and McIntire School of Commerce. The experiential learning model and case method offer exposure to real-world business scenarios that prepare students to be effective business leaders and data translators.

How has the MSBA program complemented your work experience?

The MSBA program has equipped me with statistical methods and data modeling skills that are particularly relevant to my line of work. They have enabled me to generate more advanced financial models and profitability forecasts that offer insights into the most lucrative investments to make to drive the business forward. I have been able to apply most of what I learned so far in the program in my current role.

What is the most practical concept and/or skill that you have learned so far?

Storytelling with data has been one of the most practical skills we have learned so far. Effectively communicating the value of data analyses to stakeholders is ultimately what enables data-informed decision-making, creates customer value, and increases an organization’s competitive intelligence. This is an important skill to have regardless of the industry or profession. Any data analysis, regardless of how complex and accurate it may be, would not be very useful if its value is not effectively communicated to stakeholders and/or decision-makers.

What is your favorite and/or the most valuable aspect(s) of the residences?

The residencies in Arlington, VA, and Charlottesville, VA, have been a great opportunity to connect with everyone in the cohort and faculty in person. The in-person interactions are essential in forging organic connections that will last beyond the one-year duration of the program.

How have you been able to integrate the program into your professional responsibilities and personal commitments?

I have had to slightly adjust my work schedule to accommodate the evening class schedule. Planning ahead of time and being comfortable with saying no to certain things that are not essential in the moment have allowed me to prioritize and manage my time effectively. Everyone’s circumstances are different. It is up to individuals to figure out what works for them and allows them to find the right balance between the program, professional, and personal commitments.

What are your interests and hobbies?

I love spending time on the water as much as the weather allows, whether that involves going to the beach, enjoying a pool day on a Saturday, or planning a boating tour. Thankfully, living in Seattle offers lots of opportunities to do that. I also enjoy staying active and exploring local events or different cuisines in the city.

What is your best piece of advice for prospective students?

I would encourage prospective students to embrace the unknown once they start the program. Everyone has different personal strengths and areas of expertise from a professional standpoint. There will be parts of the curriculum that will be less familiar than others or completely new to you, which is okay. But that is the purpose of pursuing further education—to learn and gain new skills. The MSBA faculty is always willing to provide the level of support needed to succeed throughout the program. There is also a wide range of UVA resources available to students to leverage throughout the program.