Doris Candelaria, Johns Hopkins Carey MBA Class of 2027
Age: 28
Hometown: Manatí, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras — B.A. in Public Relations & Advertising; second major in Journalism; Entrepreneurship Certification
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer — Health Tech (R&D), Insu Health Design, Inc. (2018–Present); UPR Innovation Center (UPR i+c) — Entrepreneurship/Economic Development: Project Manager, I+CARE (2021–2022); Project Coordinator & Ecosystem Builder (2024–2025); Team Leader, Empowering Young Entrepreneurs — Nonprofit/Education (Entrepreneurship), Bravo Family Foundation (2022–2025); Junior Account Executive — Advertising/PR, Publicis (2017–2018)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
This has been on my heart for a long time, something I promised my abuela I’d do. After co-founding a health tech startup and working across Puerto Rico’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, I realized I wanted a stronger foundation in finance, analytics, and strategy to match my scrappy operator side. It felt like the right moment: I’ve built enough to add value in class, and I still have so much to learn. An MBA now helps me grow as a leader and scale the impact of the work I care about.
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins Carey Business School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Carey sits exactly where my interests meet: health, innovation, and business. I loved the access to the broader Hopkins network and how easily you can collaborate across schools. Location mattered too; I wanted to be somewhere I could fly directly to/from Puerto Rico. The culture sealed it: smart, kind people who are serious about impact.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I bring Boricua energy: welcoming, resilient, and loud about lifting others up. I create community wherever I go so people feel seen, supported, and excited to build together. I’m the teammate who celebrates your wins and helps turn good ideas into real, shared impact.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My dad grows cacao on his farm and makes the best chocolate. We are still tweaking the recipe to make it award winning, so I’m excited to get new taste testers at Carey!
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m excited to lead teams that tackle real-world problems and turn smart strategy into action. I want work that matters and provides visible impact, better experiences for patients and communities, and that “I’m doing something good today” feeling.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Visit campus. Seeing Carey in person made everything click: classes, community, the energy. It helped me picture my life here.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Start conversations earlier with students and alumni. Those chats gave me real insight I wish I’d had from day one.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Writing about my goals. It was so hard to distill big dreams into a few paragraphs. I got through it by free-writing messy drafts, then shaping them into a clear story. Tip: talk it out with someone that really know you, takes lots of notes, and edit.
What is your initial impression of the Johns Hopkins Carey students/culture/community?
We genuinely show up for each other. It’s warm, collaborative, and close-knit. People become friends fast and are excited to build together. That’s rare, and I’m grateful for it.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’m serving as Head of Communications for ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America). We are now the first graduate chapter in the entire national ALPFA organization in the U.S., which makes it extra special. ALPFA is a leadership and professional community for Latino students and allies, focused on connection, mentorship, and career growth. I joined because it blends community-building and opening doors for others, and I’m excited to help make ALFA a welcoming home where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead.
What is one thing you have learned about Johns Hopkins Carey that has surprised you?
How seamlessly the larger Hopkins ecosystem plugs in, and how welcoming it is. I’ve loved being part of the Pava Center and connecting with Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures (JHTV); both make innovation feel real and accessible, from mentorship to venture-building resources. It’s much more than I expected: faculty, labs, and centers across Hopkins are truly accessible.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
My classmates. I’m surrounded by incredible people with rich stories and big hearts. I’m exited to continue connecting and learning from them, collaborate on more projects, and keep building a community we’re proud of.
