Strategy and Collaboration Manager, Duke Energy
PMBA Class of 2020
“While working for a major utility company, I was tasked with developing a strategic plan for the next five to ten years. It was challenging! Innovation is unpredictable. How do you plan for technology that doesn’t yet exist? The beauty of Dr. Cardinal’s class, Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation, is you learn the process of innovation, its progression and life cycle. The class gave me insight that’s very valuable to my career.”
Lynda Shafer, Strategy and Collaboration Manager, Duke Energy
PMBA Class of 2020
Earning a master’s degree in Rhetoric from the University of South Carolina is one of Lynda Shafer’s proudest, and as she describes it, most life-changing accomplishments. However, when transitioning from a career in teaching to the utility industry, she realized she needed an MBA to improve her marketability. “Although I use my degree in rhetoric, which is about persuasion and how language shapes people’s thinking and behavior, everyday, employers don’t understand it. What they do understand is an MBA; it’s instant credibility.”
So Lynda enrolled in the Darla Moore School of Business’ Professional MBA program while working full-time in the energy utility industry. Dr. Laura B. Cardinal’s class, Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation (SMTI) caught her attention. “Although I am not an innovator, I do manage innovative programs so the class was relevant.”
She was not disappointed. “I really liked the format of the class; Laura has incredible drive and energy and keeps people engaged and interacting. I have recommended SMTI to many people. It really behooves all of us to understand how innovation works.”