Faith Lyons
University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce
Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
High School: Tower Hill School
Major: Commerce and Global Development Studies
Favorite Business Courses: High Performing Organizations, Managing Sustainable Development, and Strategic Value Creation
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- UVA Honor Committee, Chair – Elected to oversee the administration of a student-run, single-sanction Honor System, which includes managing case processing and implementing Committee initiatives aimed at engaging over 22,000 students.
- Student Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED), Vice President for Education – Revamped education program for new members aimed at preparing students for SEED’s socially minded consulting work.
- Student Council, Director of University Relations (2014-2015) – Initiated and facilitated relationships among University stakeholders through recruitment process, bi-weekly newsletter, and special initiatives.
- Public Service Fellows, Lead Fellow – Led team of students in facilitating student research, activism, development and volunteerism locally and globally.
- Jefferson Scholar – Four year merit-based scholarship awarded to students for excellence in leadership, scholarship and citizenship.
- Echols Scholar – Academic honors program awarded to incoming students.
- Joseph P. Miniotas Communications Scholar
- Dean’s List
Where have you interned during your college career?
McKinsey & Company, Business Analyst
ModernThink, Consulting Intern
Describe your dream job: I would love to work with the United Nations in the immediate crisis response division. I want to pursue high impact work with the opportunity to work abroad. I endeavor to gain the skills to approach chaotic situations with the ability to provide structure so that communities can rebuild.
What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I enjoy having a greater understanding of the world around me. Business is a part of every aspect of our lives from the cost of milk at the neighborhood grocery to the impact of dairy commodity prices on the stock market. Understanding the factors that impact the changes in cost and availability of the most basic life sustaining products is important no matter what “field” I choose.
Where would you like to work after graduation? I am excited to be returning to McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst.
What are your long-term professional goals? I want to utilize both my business degree and my liberal arts degree in Global Development Studies to make an impact in the developing world while paving a path for fellow, like-minded graduates. Global corporate citizens with social consciences are on the rise and I have been fortunate to be involved in the consulting end of such efforts. In addition, I look forward to serving as an effective mentor. This is a priority for me as a long-term professional goal.
“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I spent my first year summer in educational consulting and recognized the value in having the business skills to facilitate solving society’s problems.”
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…pursuing an Economics major along with my major in Global Development Studies.”
What was the happiest moment of your life? Finishing my first half-marathon.
Which academic or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of my third year fall ICE project. My block was creating projects for Major League Baseball and my team, comprised of six students, crafted an idea for an interactive, online game viewing space called MLB Clubhouse. It was by far the most thorough group project I have ever completed and it was also the most fun.
What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? A Lion (Lyon). Given my surname, it is a natural and memorable signature. In addition, the lion represents a regal leader, courageous, poised and confident, capable of managing a kingdom while preserving the balance of nature (and instinctively protecting its progeny).
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My older sister has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my life. Whether it’s encouraging me to push myself, being a listening ear when I need to talk through a problem, or encouraging me to take a break and have fun, she has always been there.
Fun fact about yourself: I have worked, learned and traveled in over eight countries in the past four years.
Favorite book: East of Eden
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite musical performer: The Beatles
Favorite vacation spot: Lake Sebago, Maine
What are your hobbies? I am an avid runner and group exercise class-enthusiast. I enjoy “adventure dining” with friends and knitting. I also love giving back to my community through service projects.
What made Faith such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2016?
“It has been and continues to be my pleasure to work with Faith in her role as Chair of the University’s Honor Committee. Having served on the Honor Committee myself a couple of generations ago, I am aware of the enormous responsibility Faith is undertaking in leading and upholding the bedrock of this University. The University has quadrupled in size over the past fifty years and the complexity of running the Honor System has increased geometrically. Faith has handled this complicated responsibility extremely well with an ability to see the broad picture and make tough decisions. She is highly respected for her leadership skills by all with whom she works. She is an asset to the Honor System and the University.”
Lucien L. Bass III,
Lecturer, General Faculty
University of Virginia
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