Milton Jose Dare Junior, Indiana Kelley MBA Class of 2028
Age: 39
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of São Paulo; Business Administration – General Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Headhunter at Venture People for 6+ years; Earlier, roles in Business Development and Product Management in the tech industry at companies such as falafreud and Wellhub for 5+ years.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I spent +6 years building a firm that was anchored in me personally, and I wanted one that worked without me and shared responsibility with other partners. My company’s next chapter – AI-native, operating across the U.S. and Brazil, with revenue beyond search – needs a founder who designs systems and develops leaders, not one who closes every search himself. So, developing my leadership was one of my main triggers, along with learning marketing from one of the best marketing MBAs in the U.S.
“Why now?” was because last year I had the opportunity to move to the U.S. My wife was pursuing her Finance PhD at Kelley, and I had always dreamed of doing an MBA at one of the top business schools in the U.S. I hadn’t had this opportunity before, and I also wanted to play in the “Champions League” of the business world in America.
Why did you choose Indiana Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Three things. First, Kelley takes entrepreneurship and Leadership seriously as a discipline – I’d been following, Erik Gonzalez-Mulé, Dr. K’s and Greg Fisher’s work before I applied. Second, the Academies model: a small, hands-on, cohort-based program where you learn by doing with people who’ll challenge you. That matches how I’ve always learned. Third, honestly, the people. Every Kelley alum I spoke to during the process answered fast, answered generously, and followed up without being asked. In executive search you learn to read culture through small behaviors, and that told me everything.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I’ve had experience hiring executives for startups, invested in and worked at a startup that became a unicorn, built an investor community from a single LinkedIn post, and run my own company through a downturn. I believe I can help classmates improve time management and become more entrepreneurial, which is something I love. And I bring Latin American DNA to the room with my experience in Brazil, along with positive energy and mindset.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’ve been training, running at 6am before classes and work, with a coach in Brazil, remotely. After completing my first 10K race, I am striving to run my next 15K race. I love sports and never skip my training to keep my body and mind in shape. Also, my dog is my biggest supporter. He wakes me up every morning at 5am, and I take him for 3-4 walks a day to keep me in shape.
Post-MBA career interests:
At first, I want the opportunity to work for a tech company in the U.S. to develop new entrepreneurial skills while also building a venture people in the U.S. as a board member. Longer term, teaching entrepreneurship and management to founders is one of my goals. My north star is a three-legged identity: Builder, Investor and Professor.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to current students and alumni before writing a single essay. Their stories told me which parts of Kelley were most important to include in the essays and interview. It also made the “Why Kelley” answer more specific rather than flattering. Understanding the Kelley culture was one of the most important things I learned. I am sure this is the most important for you as a student and for the Kelley admission team. They are very serious about their way of being – which is very special.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I’d have started the GMAT/GRE earlier. Running a company while studying for a standardized test is a great way to learn how much you’d forgotten from undergrad.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped all the overthinking, especially the fear of not being accepted. What helped me get through the process was treating the application like a work project, with a pipeline, deadlines, and weekly check-ins. My wife’s support also made a huge difference – she kept encouraging me to just go for it and trust that things would work out.
What is your initial impression of the Indiana Kelley students/culture/community?
Collaborative to a degree that surprised someone coming from competitive São Paulo. In the first weeks, people share notes before you ask and volunteer help without keeping score. It feels less like a cohort and more like a startup founding team.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’m looking at Venture Capital Club, Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Club, and Entrepreneurship Club. Also, I will not skip the wellness club, as a sports enthusiast.
What is one thing you have learned about Indiana Kelley that has surprised you?
It’s about people and how we care about each other. This is something very special about Kelley that I don’t see in other places.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Living a dream to learn from the best-in-class faculty, learn the most about American culture and American football while I become a better entrepreneur.
