Matias Aguilar Cardenas, Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2027
Age: 25
Hometown: La Paz, Bolivia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Business Administration & Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Growth Manager at Luka (Fintech), 3 years. Joined as Data Analyst & Operations before promotion.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After joining Luka as hire #8 and spending over two years helping the startup scale, I discovered Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition while listening to the My First Million podcast. The idea of acquiring and operating a business clicked as the right long-term path for me. By late 2024, Luka had reached break-even, and I felt I had honored my commitment to the team and cofounders. Working at a small company made me scrappy and resourceful, but I realized I lacked the structured training to buy and run a company. An MBA—paired with experience in consulting—felt like the right next step to build the toolkit I need.
Why did you choose Duke Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Fuqua stood out immediately for its community. “Team Fuqua” isn’t some tagline, but a real commitment of helping one another. It was palpable throughout the admissions process. The school’s collaborative culture, paired with its academic strength and global reputation, made it the perfect place to grow.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
Enthusiasm and community-building. After a close brush with death last year, I’ve chosen to live life with intensity, enthusiasm, and child-like wonder. I hope to channel this energy into building connections, celebrating others, and creating spaces where classmates feel supported and inspired.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
In the 5th grade, I stared a bowling alley business (taped bottle caps and a bouncy ball) with my best friend. 25c/shot and we gave out prizes (erasers, stickers) if people hit a strike. We got into a fight and I opened a competing bowling alley. We ran each other’s business to the ground through fierce price cuts and better prizes until the principal shut down our businesses because kids were getting late to class.
Post-MBA career interests:
Consulting. Having worked at a startup, I feel consulting is the natural next step, where I can use my resourcefulness and bias to action to drive meaningful impact, while also acquiring knowledge, structure, and insight on several industries.
Long-term, I want to acquire a company through a search fund.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
My cuñapé video update essay. It stood out from the pile of written essays and gave admissions a peak into my hobbies and culture.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Visiting campus earlier. It’s so important to experience and engage with the community when applying to Fuqua.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Practicing for the GMAT. Was very time consuming, so I pivoted to the GRE, which played more to my strengths in reading and writing.
What is your initial impression of the Fuqua students/culture/community?
Team Fuqua is so real. I experienced it before I was even accepted. Students and alumni went out of their way to support me. I wouldn’t be here without them.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
MBAA: Like I said, community-building is the ethos of my time here at Fuqua. What better way to do it than by organizing events and representing my section?
ETA Club: Entrepreneurship is the driving force of the world. At the heart of that are small and medium businesses that need talented operators to keep them running. The ETA club is a group of people who all think that way and want to make an impact by acquiring and improving an existing business.
Fuqua Run Club: Running is very near and dear to my heart. It got me through very tough moments. It’s also a great way to meet disciplined and grounded people who enjoy pushing their limits.
What is one thing you have learned about Fuqua that has surprised you?
How incredibly talented and accomplished everyone was before coming here. It’s one thing to read the class profile, it’s something completely different to learn and work alongside these terrific individuals.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Doing the Camp-out and getting to know my classmates better. I want to build life-long friendships.
