Lauren Tarnoff ‘25 Merges Design Background with Business

For many students, pursuing a master's degree in business is a strategic career move. For Lauren Tarnoff, a current Master of Science in Management (MSM) candidate at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, it was the perfect way to complement her undergraduate background she received at Notre Dame in Visual Communication Design and French, with a minor in Digital Marketing.

Bridging Design and Business

Before joining the MSM program, Tarnoff was drawn to Notre Dame to balance academics and athletics as a Division I volleyball player. With a foundation in liberal arts, Tarnoff saw a business degree as the strategic next step, driven by her background in design with a passion for collaboration and marketing. When the opportunity arose to continue her education at Mendoza for a fifth year, she knew it was the right decision.

“Even before MSM, I found myself drawn to Mendoza, working on projects like ND Elevate and engaging with business faculty,” she shares. “I love building relationships and learning from business-minded individuals, so it felt like a natural next step.”

One of the most impactful aspects of the MSM program for Tarnoff has been the hands-on learning experiences, particularly working on consulting cases and the Grow Irish Week program.

“We had a consulting one-week sprint with Deloitte where we were given a 50-page case study to solve in a week,” she recalls. “It was an intense, real-world challenge that sharpened my problem-solving skills.”

Another highlight was working on projects with companies including Notre Dame Federal Credit Union and ACR Restores, a Chicago-based company, for a midterm project. “These experiences give me practical skills that I can showcase in interviews and in my professional portfolio to accompany my design portfolio,” she says. “They make a tangible difference.”

During Grow Irish Week this past spring, students were immersed in companies and given real-world challenges to solve. Tarnoff and her team were partnered with Cross Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the unhoused. Their project focused on conducting a market analysis and developing a strategy for creating affordable housing in a neighborhood on the west side of South Bend. The team delivered a comprehensive report, which included housing type recommendations and site development options.

“Grow Irish Weeks are really impactful because it really shapes my practical skills, but then also applies the theoretical knowledge that we've been learning in class into real world companies and real world challenges that we will face in our careers in business,” says Tarnoff.

The Power of a Diverse Cohort

The MSM program is a cohort of students from 50+ different academic backgrounds, creating an environment rich in perspectives and expertise.

“In group projects, I’ve seen how my design skills complement a finance student’s analytical abilities,” she says. “Collaborating with people from different backgrounds fosters creativity and innovation—skills that are essential in the business world.”

She has found that working on a team, both on the court and in the classroom, has prepared her for a future in the business world as a creative saying, “Having so many different perspectives really promotes creativity. I may have a design background and marketing skills, but I also need to be able to work with those with creativity in analytics and finance in order to approach solving problems. I definitely think that in the business world, you need a creative edge to be successful.”

Empowering Athletes Through ND Elevate

As an athlete, Tarnoff recognizes the challenges student-athletes face in gaining professional experience or internships due to demanding training schedules. Her involvement with ND Elevate, a program led by Professor Collett-Schmitt designed to develop leaders and has recently expanded to support athletes transitioning into business, has been especially meaningful.

“ND Elevate bridges the gap between athletics and the corporate world,” she explains. “It provides mentorship, workshops, and resources to help women athletes translate their skills into successful business careers.”

The program provides a space for growth and exploration in a community aimed to empower each individual's strengths. Tarnoff shares that she recently saw a statistic in which 94% of women who were at the executive level had a background in sports.

“I thought that was really hitting because it just shows how achieving success and competitiveness in athletics translates into a competitive atmosphere of business in the corporate world,” says Tarnoff. “And so, I compare it to working for a promotion or closing a deal– it’s just as competitive as executing a play or winning a national championship. It’s about applying your individual and team athletic experiences, like bringing people together and leading them to make things happen.”

Looking Ahead: A Future with the LA Clippers

Following graduation, Tarnoff will be joining the LA Clippers, a NBA basketball team, as Creative Coordinator on their Partnership Strategy team. She credits the MSM program with giving her a well-rounded understanding of business that will be crucial in her role.

“While it’s mainly a creative position, it requires an in-depth knowledge of business structures and operations,” she explains. “Thanks to the MSM program, I feel confident in my ability to contribute strategically and understand the bigger picture. I want to leverage this knowledge to push the boundaries of my role and expand my contributions.”

At Mendoza, students are encouraged to “Grow the Good in Business,” and Tarnoff sees this principle playing a significant role in her career with the LA Clippers.

“For me, it’s about forming corporate relationships that go beyond transactions—they should be meaningful and impactful to the fans and community,” she says. “The Clippers are deeply committed to giving back to the Greater Los Angeles Area, and I’m excited to be part of that ongoing mission.”

Advice for Future MSM Students

For those considering the MSM program, Tarnoff emphasizes its value for individuals with a growth mindset: “If you’re someone who wants to expand your knowledge and differentiate yourself in the business world, the MSM is a great choice,” she advises. “For me, it provided a compact yet powerful education that elevated my career prospects.”