Balancing Career, Loss, and Growth: A Mount Mercy MBA Journey

For Illinois native-turned-Iowa project manager Damitri Taylor ’25 MBA, Mount Mercy’s flexible Master of Business Administration program provided the support he needed to move forward—both personally and professionally.

Originally from Chicago, Damitri came to Cedar Rapids by way of Iowa City, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts at the University of Iowa. During undergrad, he kept himself busy playing volleyball on the university’s club team, performing in theater productions, and working for the university’s CAMBUS system, where he eventually rose to dispatch supervisor, laying the groundwork for his first job post-college.

After graduation, Damitri took a driver manager role at CRST, a transportation and logistics company, before joining Collins Aerospace in 2020 as an engineering project assistant. Later that year, his division transitioned to BAE Systems, a global aerospace, defense, commercial, and cyber security company. He continued to grow within the company, eventually stepping into his current role as project manager on the Knowledge and Engagement team—focusing on internal communications, employee engagement, and professional development.

It was there, through a coworker, that Damitri first heard about Mount Mercy’s MBA program.

“For a year straight, he kept telling me how flexible it was, how the professors worked in the industry, and how it fit perfectly with a full-time job,” Damitri said. “At first, I told myself every excuse in the book: ‘It’s been too long since school,’ ‘I don’t have time,’ ‘I’ll just focus on my job.’ But the more I looked into it, the more it made sense.”

That flexibility ended up being the deciding factor.

“The program felt like it was built for working professionals,” he shared. “Evening and online classes made balancing everything easier. The block schedule helped me take more classes in a shorter time instead of being limited to just one or two a semester. You can really set your own pace.”

Already established in his role, Damitri found the MBA courses immediately relevant and noted they directly enhanced his professional skills.

“Organizational Effectiveness made me a stronger presenter—and taught me that PowerPoint animations aren’t always your friend,” he said with a laugh. “Principles of Project Management gave me new tools for managing large projects, and Systems Thinking and Growth Mindset helped me see how every part of a business connects.”

However, midway through his MBA program, Damitri faced an incredible loss that tested the balance of work, school, and life he had mastered so far.

“A year before I completed the program, I lost my partner to cancer,” he said “It was one of the hardest times of my life, and I honestly didn’t know if I could finish the program.”

Damitri credits Mount Mercy’s supportive faculty and his advisor, Rogan Stoops, in helping him continue with his MBA and graduate on time.

“They helped me make a plan, stay on track, and gave me the space and support I needed to finish,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful for that. I wouldn’t have completed the program without them.”

That support—and his determination to keep going—became a defining part of his experience. What began as a professional goal turned into something deeper: proof of his resilience and a reminder of the community that stood behind him every step of the way.

Outside of work, Damitri continues to stay active in his community. He’s a licensed foster parent, provides respite care when his schedule allows, and recently became a “Big” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Cedar Rapids.

His advice to future MBA students is simple: don’t wait.

“Go for it. Don’t overthink it, just start. Put in the effort and you’ll be amazed at what you get out of it. And don’t hesitate to reach out to your advisor or professors when you need help. They truly want you to succeed, and the support is there if you ask for it.”