Executive MBA Blog
RSS Executive MBA Career Management Team
With the hands-on, innovative spirit that characterizes Wharton, the MBA Exec Career Management Services (CMS) program staff includes two dedicated Career Management Directors, Mary Gross in Philadelphia and Steve Hernandez in San Francisco. MBA Exec Career Management Services is constantly enhancing its resources, responding to student feedback and industry changes.
- Staff members with significant human resources experience who add value and insight to career development.
- Individualized career development support that provides specific skills and knowledge for successful career growth.
- Ability to bring the latest knowledge from each industry to the students.
Mary Gross, Sr. Associate Director, Career Management Services Mary joined the Wharton MBA for Executives Program in 2008 to create and deliver a distinctive set of career management services for the MBA Exec students. Prior to joining Wharton, Mary spent 25 years in the financial services industry working in the areas of human resources and finance. Her HR experience includes consulting to business leaders on strategy, team effectiveness and individual development; designing and delivering leadership development programs and developing talent management processes such as performance management, succession management, and career development. Her financial roles included responsibility for internal audit, accounting operations, accounting policy, mergers & acquisitions, and SEC & management reporting. Mary has worked for organizations of various sizes including serving as an original organizer and officer of a new national bank in Colorado, as controller for a regional bank in Maryland, and in senior accounting operations & financial reporting roles with a regional institution in the NJ/PA/NY region. Additionally, Mary also serves on the Board of Directors of Unity Bancorp in Clinton, New Jersey. Mary is a 2002 graduate of the Wharton MBA Program for Executives (with Honors), has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland and is a CPA.
Steve Hernandez, Associate Director, Career Management Services
Steve brings more than 15 years of professional career development experience to Wharton, where he leads career services for Wharton MBA for Executive students in San Francisco. In this role, he designs and delivers programming to support Executive MBAs in achieving their career objectives by advising and counseling EMBA students regarding long-term career development and, as necessary, immediate job search strategies. Steve conducts outreach to companies throughout the country for partnering, industry segment education, and middle to senior management career opportunities. Prior to joining Wharton, he was an adjunct career advisor for the UC Berkeley Haas/Columbia and Executive MBA programs. As a former partner and executive recruiter for a local search firm, Steve has helped Bay Area companies identify, screen, and hire professionals ranging from staff to senior management. During this time, he was exposed to a variety of industries, including banking, software, technology manufacturing, financial services, retail, consumer goods, biotechnology, and non-profit. In partnering with decision makers such as C-level executives, senior and middle managers, as well as human resources, he gained in-depth knowledge of the skills, communication, leadership, and behavioral traits that lead to success within organizations. In addition to recruiting, since 2004 Steve has managed a private Career Services Practice. Steve holds a master's degree in Career Development.
