Meet Jordan Mixsell, Class of 2022

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Jordan Mixsell and I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. After completing my undergraduate degree at Linfield University, I went to work in the finance industry. I’ve spent the past eight years working for various asset management firms and am currently a senior trader at Invesco. When I’m not trading bonds, I enjoy hitting the trails, playing a (very mediocre) round of golf or diving into a good book.

 

Where did you start your career and what led you to choose the Evening MBA program at the UW Foster School of Business?

I started my career as an intern at a local broker dealer, working on the trading floor in their asset management arm. After coming on board full-time, and navigating several mergers and acquisitions, my role has expanded to managing and trading fixed income portfolios and leading various investment-related technology initiatives. As my career has evolved, my interests have expanded beyond portfolio management and into business strategy and initiatives. I chose to pursue an MBA at the Foster School of Business to bridge the gap between my investments background and desire to move into a management role.   

How do you balance family/friends, work and school?

It’s certainly difficult, but I make an effort to block out my schedule at the beginning of each week so I can make time for school work, exercise and social activities. This helps take the guesswork out of my schedule, but more importantly, it allows me to be more present with family and friends.

How have your fellow classmates influenced your experience in the program so far?

My classmates have been amazing! During my first year in the program, I really leaned on my MBA team as I was navigating the challenges of balancing school and work. Not only have my classmates been great resources when I have questions about class material, they’ve also enriched my learning experience by sharing anecdotes from their careers and creating engaging classroom discussions. They’re also fun! I can’t wait until we can meet in person again for a Wednesday happy hour!

Is there a faculty member who stands out in your mind as being exceptional?

I really enjoyed financial accounting with Sarah McVay during my first year in the program. Despite pursuing a career in finance, accounting was not my favorite subject in undergrad. That changed when I took Sarah’s class. Sarah brought an enthusiasm for the material and did a great job connecting current events to class topics. I will always remember to read the footnotes when analyzing financial statements! 

What have you learned in your experience in the Evening MBA program that you are able to apply to your current role?

I’ve learned so much during the Evening MBA program that I’ve been able to apply in the workplace. Some of the most impactful concepts have been around coalition building and effectively communicating with others. Before an important presentation or meeting, I often find myself thinking about incentives and how others prefer to receive information so that I can lay the groundwork for an effective conversation. This program has taught me to be an intentional and self-aware colleague. 

Tell us about your experience participating in extracurricular activities or clubs. Which ones would you recommend to other students and why?

I’ve participated in several extracurricular activities during my time at Foster. Challenge for Charity was certainly a highlight during my first year in the program. From the Foster 5k to the C4C Auction, I enjoyed getting involved with the Foster community and helping raise money for some great organizations. While it doesn’t look like sports weekend will be a go this year, I’m hopeful for a return in the spring of 2022! I’m also participating in the Board Fellows Program this year. It’s been a great experience to sit on a non-profit board and learn the ins-and-outs of board governance. I’ve enjoyed networking with the other board members and working on a board-level project that will hopefully prove to be useful for years to come. 

What is the most challenging part of the MBA?

Covid-19 certainly through us a curve ball in 2020. Adapting to remote learning while still trying to maintain social connections with my classmates has been challenging. That being said, I’m hopeful for a return to the full experience that Foster provides later this year!

What are some of your favorite memories of the Evening MBA program so far?

Team lunches, Wednesday happy hours and Fosters have all been a blast! I’ve also enjoyed getting to work on creative projects with my MBA Teams.