Spears School of Business

Have you ever met someone who lights up any and every room they enter? They’re unique and rare. In the case of Aundrea Payne, they are as humble as they are authentic. 

 

Payne is a Dallas resident and Arkansas native, who has found her home in the Oklahoma State University online MBA family. An accomplished public speaker, a member of Forbes BLK, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and working as a Brand Protection Partner at Corsearch, Payne never has a dull moment. 

 

The range of active roles Payne takes on extends beyond the working world, as she chooses to make her own path. Payne quotes OSU saying, “Allow people to realize and fulfill their dreams, don’t let them force their dreams on you.” That is the aphorism she lives by. 

 

Payne’s role at Corsearch focuses on brand protection from counterfeits. There, she strategizes how to combat online counterfeits to save a brand’s time, money and data. This role keeps Payne on her toes at all times being the cyber-cop no one knew they needed. However, Payne’s job is only one side of an MBA who represents what it is to be a part of the OSU family. 

 

The impact of telling one’s story is something special to Payne. Everyone faces challenges that look different and how one fights through those challenges is what makes the difference. Payne’s chose to make her stand in Dallas, pursuing a life she thought was out of reach. She chose to go all in on her career, her fitness journey and works to develop connections she never thought she would. 

 

In Dallas, Payne found with Forbes BLK and the Dallas Chamber of Commerce a chance to build connections and find like-minded individuals. Payne says, “People have mentioned my name in rooms I never knew existed and have opened up doors for me.” Recognizing the potential in front of her to grow into her best self, authenticity shines through. 

 

“Authenticity is the best thing, when I started being my most authentic self, that’s when success came for me.” 

 

Public speaking is a gift Payne has worked hard to develop over the years. This past year, she won the title of D25 International Speaking Champion and a chance to compete in the Bahamas for the World Championship of Public Speaking as a semifinalist with Toastmasters. 

 

“Competing in Toastmasters allowed me to connect with diverse people and hear their unique stories. When I was younger, I had a speech impediment, but here I am speaking at international speech competitions; it was a true 360 moment. At every level of the contest, people would come and tell me how my story impacted them.” 

 

Oklahoma State was not always on Payne’s radar. When searching for an MBA program to call her own, she wanted a place that would not only be affordable but a place that shined a light on diversity. She wanted a place where she could grow.  

 

After speaking to advisor Emily Murphy, Payne reflected on Murphy’s words saying there’s something here for everyone if you chose to seek it out. Payne says, “after receiving all the information and speaking to everyone, ultimately they let it be my choice, that was different, there was no pressure.” 

 

Despite feeling hesitant about being only online, Payne loved how OSU works to create teams, and use real-world examples in courses. Oklahoma State makes it as personal as possible, Payne says, “The Power of Personal just resonates with me. It’s all about being authentic. OSU just feels like family.” 

  

Payne radiates everything she stands for. The many sides of her personality may seem unrelated, but they are the framework that maps out someone who truly represents the Oklahoma State online MBA program. Payne leads with authenticity and speaks with humility, embodying the Power of Personal.