Anna Parry
Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Business
“Driven, curious, and strategic, turning ideas into apps and solving problems that contribute to the community.”
Fun fact about yourself: I keep a personal ranking of the best lemonades I’ve tried. I code apps in Swift, and I reward myself for work well done by allowing myself guilt-free coding of my spreadsheets.
Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
High School: Edmond North High School
Major: Human Resource Management
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: IS 201: Introduction to Information Systems was my first exposure to coding and sparked my interest in applying technology to everyday life. What started as a required course for business school quickly became the foundation for building websites and apps; it shaped how I approach designing systems to streamline recurring tasks. For example, I coded a spreadsheet to track all my assignments and grades, and I even created a “Wheel-of-Fortune” that spins to randomize rewards for completing them.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Congressional Gold Medal Award: Presented by US Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin, and Representative Stephanie Bice
- Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Certification: A prestigious and difficult national certification for professional credentialing, earned through examination
- BYU SHRM Student Chapter: Vice President (2 years), Director (1 year); Created a new leadership position that contributed to national recognition for the chapter
- AI in Business Society: Vice President of Marketing; Founded and built the marketing team for one of BYU’s fastest-growing clubs
- Utah SHRM 2025 Case Competition: 3rd Place, Team Lead
- Half-tuition Merit Scholarship
- Business & Culture in Italy and Europe Study Abroad
- BYU Student Employee of the Year 2025 Nominee
Where have you interned during your college career?
- [Internship] Goldman Sachs, London, Executive Compensation Intern
- [Part-time jobs] Brigham Young University Human Resources, Provo, Utah
- Lead Employment Office Specialist (six months)
- Student Recruiting Supervisor (six months)
Where will you be working after graduation? Goldman Sachs, London, Compensation Analyst
Who is your favorite business professor? Peter Madsen, Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, consistently tied coursework to real-world applications through complex, realistic datasets and problems. His humility, kindness, and passion for business analytics and program management created an environment where students feel supported and challenged. The practical nature of his assignments was so relevant that I used examples from his coursework during the technical portion of my Goldman Sachs interview (analyzing simulated employee productivity data using regression to evaluate how onboarding completion, tenure, department, and demand fluctuations affected first-year performance). His ability to connect theory to practice is why his students perform well.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? You must create value before claiming value, aiming always for a win-win scenario, which can be applied in negotiations and life in general. I learned that strong outcomes come from first understanding the other party’s priorities and constraints and then using that insight to expand the problem rather than rushing to divide it. When you focus on creating value through preparation and problem-solving, claiming value becomes a natural outcome rather than a conflict.
An example of a personal application of this lesson came during my study abroad. I wanted to remain involved in BYU Society for Human Resource Management (BYU SHRM), but could not fulfill any existing roles remotely. I identified that pursuing the SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award would be highly beneficial for the association, so I volunteered to help the chapter become eligible. Our club advisor then allowed me to formalize the effort into an official role. Even while abroad, I was able to contribute meaningfully and help the association achieve the award, creating value for the chapter before claiming recognition for myself.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Leave no crumbs on the table and maximize every opportunity, even when it feels intimidating. Many students limit themselves by hesitating to apply for or create leadership roles, speak up in class, or pursue ambitious internships. Persistence often creates opportunities where none initially seem to exist.
Growth happens fastest when you put yourself in situations where a “yes” is possible, even when a “no” feels likely. I always say, “Don’t tell yourself you aren’t qualified for something. Let the professionals do that,” because you never know what might happen. I commit my future self to challenges my present self finds intimidating. That means speaking up in meetings even when I do not feel ready, leading a case competition for the first time, or taking high-stakes interviews at 2:00 a.m. because of time zone differences. I have never regretted the growth that my future self gains from taking these risks.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? While in business school, I made it a personal goal to do everything outside of my comfort zone. Looking back, I would push myself even earlier and more intentionally. For example, when applying for internships or leadership positions, I often felt daunted by roles I didn’t feel fully qualified for. If I could do it differently, I would approach those opportunities with more confidence from the start, applying anyway and leaning into the challenge rather than waiting to feel “ready.”
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? In my business analytics coursework, I was required to independently create an AI chatbot to improve employee self-service by answering common workplace questions through the interpretation of uploaded company documents. As the sole builder, I was responsible for defining use cases, structuring unorganized information, and testing responses for clarity and accuracy. The project reinforced how AI can be applied responsibly to enhance employee access to information while maintaining the importance of ethical use and human oversight. Through all of my coursework, I have learned that AI functions best as a teaching assistant that enhances judgment rather than replaces it. It has enriched my learning and helped me explore complex problems more effectively.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? My proudest achievement was receiving the Congressional Gold Medal Award. Over three years, I dedicated more than 400 hours to teaching free English classes to Spanish speakers, 200 hours to teaching myself Spanish, and 200 hours to physical fitness training. The volunteer initiatives I helped establish are still running today, and I use Spanish daily. Being recognized by my senators made tangible the idea that consistent, personal effort can create lasting impact in local communities. Having the award presented by my senators made the impact real and reminded me that consistent effort over time can genuinely change a community.
Which classmate do you most admire? Harrison Marsh consistently demonstrates intellectual courage by contributing thoughtful, multidimensional perspectives in class discussions. He actively seeks opportunities to elevate conversations and challenge assumptions, making him a trusted and respected peer. His willingness to prepare and contribute thoughtfully every possible opportunity elevates class conversation and encourages others to do the same.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My mother is what I like to call an all-time win-win champion who always looks for ways for everyone to succeed together. She has shown me what it means to be a strong woman through her courage, resilience, and leadership, instilling in me a deep sense of curiosity and courage from an early age. When people ask if I am afraid to move to another country after graduation, I explain that I have never seen it as something to fear but as an opportunity to learn and grow—all because of her example.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1. Work in every major geo-economic region (EMEA, APAC, LATAM, and the US) to gain a truly global perspective on human resources and build cross-cultural expertise.
2. Publish an app on the Apple App Store (currently in progress) to create systems that enable people to be their best selves.
What made Anna such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“I spent three months traveling through Europe with Anna during a recent study abroad program. While it was impressive that she had competed globally for a top-tier internship the previous summer and excelled in all her classes, what truly stood out was her presence and humility. During our visits, Anna gracefully commanded the respect of CEOs and industry leaders we met with, yet she treated every peer and stranger with the same level of genuine dignity. She is a remarkable individual who leads with a paradoxical blend of both excellence and kindness that is only achieved by a very few. I can’t wait to see the positive change she creates in the world.”
Benjamin Galvin
Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
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