Faith, Determination, and the Journey to Vice President

“My goal is to be in positions where I can make a difference. Faith, family, and making a difference — that’s what drives me.”

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For Kimberly Green Reeves, the Golden Dome was always a symbol of inspiration, something to admire from afar. Growing up in the South Bend area, Notre Dame was “one of those places you drive by and say, ‘wow,’” she says. “I never thought that I would be there. It was just something that felt so out of reach, in the same way that the Dome itself appears.”

That dream is now a defining part of her journey. A proud graduate of the Notre Dame Executive MBA program, Reeves recently stepped into her new role as Vice President of Community Impact and Strategic Partnerships at Beacon Health System, the very organization where her career began as an intern. She credits her Notre Dame experience with giving her the tools, confidence, and perspective to lead at a higher level.

Finding Her Path to Mendoza

Reeves’ path to Notre Dame began with curiosity and a commitment to growth. After earning her undergraduate degree from Holy Cross College, she pursued a Master’s in Public Affairs and Political Science with a focus on healthcare administration. That degree helped launch her into leadership roles in healthcare, but the idea of a business education always lingered.

“I always had this itch to get my business degree,” she says. “I started a Ph.D. program, and I did well in those classes, but that MBA still stood out to me.”

Her turning point came through a series of leadership development programs — including one led by Mendoza faculty member Kristen Collett-Schmitt — that connected Beacon Health System with Notre Dame. “Someone came in and shared more about the programs at Mendoza, including the Executive MBA,” she recalls. “I thought, Lord, you are giving me a sign. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Support from Leadership and a Clear Vision

At Beacon, Reeves found strong encouragement from her mentors and executive leadership for her next step. Her executive leader and even the CEO encouraged her to pursue an MBA. “I told him I was working toward my Ph.D., and he said, ‘If you want to be in leadership within Beacon, you should really consider an MBA,’” she recalls. “That was the pivotal moment.”

For Reeves, the Executive MBA’s format was exactly what she needed to elevate her career without missing a beat. “The idea that I could go to class one weekend per month and come back and immediately apply what I learned to my workplace was a game changer,” she says. “I was able to take what I learned on Friday and put it into practice on Monday.”

Lessons in Leadership, Finance, and Design Thinking

Coming from a background in community health, Reeves entered the program eager to build new skills in business fundamentals. “I wanted to develop my financial acumen, to think critically about sustainability and how to make sure the work we do is built for the long term,” she says. “That really appealed to me.”

She also highlights courses in negotiation and design thinking as particularly impactful. “In everything that we do, we negotiate,” she says. “And design thinking helped me approach challenges differently, to think outside the box about what the future could look like and then work backward to get there.”

Reeves recalls how each of her professors created a supportive environment that encouraged both academic and personal growth. “They were genuine, approachable, and deeply committed to helping us succeed,” she says. “And when you start the program, you question if you belong. Gianna Bern would remind us, ‘We chose you for a reason. You belong here.’ That mattered.”

The Power of the Cohort

Like many Notre Dame EMBA graduates, Reeves says the relationships she built were among the most meaningful aspects of the program. “Thank goodness for the cohort,” she says. “You go through the good and the hard together. Those friendships and that network are invaluable.”

Even months after graduation, her class remains closely connected. “We’re constantly texting, celebrating each other, praying for one another. In fact, a few of us are taking a vacation together as our graduation present to ourselves,” she laughs.

That sense of community has extended into her professional life as well. “Because of the program, I can approach challenges with a stronger, more strategic mindset — and I have a network of peers who understand what it takes to lead,” she says.

Faith, Family, and Paying It Forward

Reeves’ journey from intern to executive is a testament to faith, perseverance, and the value of investing of herself. “My goal is to be in positions where I can make a difference,” she says. “Faith, family, and making a difference — that’s what drives me.”

In her new VP role — a position created specifically for her — she leads initiatives that improve health outcomes and strengthen community partnerships. “I pinch myself,” she says. “I get to do the work I love, at tables that matter, making decisions that will have a lasting impact.”

She sees a direct connection between her Notre Dame Executive MBA experience and her readiness to lead at a higher level. “The program gave me the language, the confidence, and the framework to approach leadership in a new way,” she says. “It helped me think bigger, act strategically, and lead with both purpose and heart.”

Reflecting on her experience, Reeves is quick to credit her Notre Dame education for helping her get there. “The program set me up to lead with confidence. The Notre Dame name means a lot — but it’s the community, the network, and the heart behind it that make it truly special.”

Are you ready to start making a difference?
Learn more about Notre Dame’s Executive MBA program.