Mauro Santos, Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2028
Age: 32
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Military Institute of Engineering (IME), Communications Engineering; Brazilian Army Military Academy (AMAN), Military Sciences.
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Brazilian Army — Captain, Strategy & Operations Manager at the Army’s data center (Jan 2024–Jun 2026); Occam Brasil — Private Credit Analyst (May 2022–Dec 2023); Brazilian Army — Lieutenant, Logistics Officer (Jan 2017–Dec 2019).
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After working in asset management in Brazil, I got fascinated by how much impact the capital market can have on a business and on the economy, and by how it changes the way you see the world. At the end of that experience, I decided to go back to the Brazilian Army, which had covered my engineering degree, and I wanted to give that back before moving on to civilian life. So I returned to the Army and started preparing for the MBA at the same time. I also wanted the chance to broaden my world and learn from people with completely different backgrounds and experiences. Business school was the natural next step to close the gaps I still had: network, financial knowledge, and a smoother transition from military to civilian life.
Why did you choose Duke Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When choosing MBA programs, I thought carefully about what kind of environment I would like to be in. During my time at the Brazilian Military Academy, I experienced a strong sense of community and belonging, and I wanted to feel that again. Fuqua showed me that from the start: every conversation I had with alumni and current students left me confident this was the right place for me. I also learned how much Fuqua embraces partners as part of the community, which mattered a lot since my wife would be moving here with me. All of this made it clear that Fuqua was the right place for both of us.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
My most valuable contribution comes from the mix of experiences that shaped who I am today. That path also put me in contact with people from very different backgrounds, which taught me to respect others and adapt myself to the environment I am in. On top of that, I bring an international perspective as a Brazilian, coming from a different culture and system.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My wife and I brought Simon with us, our 10-year-old Yorkshire, all the way from Brazil to the U.S. We picked the name Simon from Alvin and the Chipmunks. He’s so part of the family.
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m interested in investment banking, at a bulge-bracket bank in New York.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
—What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Visiting campus and being intentional throughout the whole process. Knowing what I wanted gave me clarity on the path I should pursue.
—What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have shown more of who I really am earlier in the process, instead of presenting a safer, more polished version of my story to fit what I thought a business school wanted to see. I was always afraid of what people would think if I showed certain parts of myself, and I wish I had let go of that fear sooner.
—What is one part you would have skipped if you could — and what helped you get through it?
One part I would have skipped was waiting several months between getting in through Early Action, in October, and moving to the U.S. What helped me get through it was using that time to prepare early for recruiting, so I could arrive at Fuqua already ahead on some things.
What is your initial impression of the Duke Fuqua students/culture/community?
My first impression of Fuqua is how real Team Fuqua actually is. It means a safe environment, a place where we can count on one another instead of competing. That safety goes beyond the classroom, it includes my family. My wife is part of this experience too: there are clubs built specifically for partners, and every Fuqua Friday I bring her along, so she feels part of the community as well.
What stands out most is how personal it all is. People are present and engaged with your story, they actually care. I saw this clearly during Blue Devil Weekend, an event for admitted students. I was talking with other Brazilians when someone from admissions, who I had met a couple months ago during my campus visit, came over just to say he was glad to see my name on the list and that I was there. A little later, another woman from admissions, who I had never spoken to before, told me my application was the first one she had read, and mentioned several details I had shared in my essay. I was surprised by how much detail they remembered. It says a lot about the kind of place Fuqua is. People know me by my name, not as “the international student from Brazil,” and they’ve made the effort to know my wife, too.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
DAFA: I wanted to connect with other veterans who share a similar background and understand what this transition feels like, so we can help and support each other through it.
Finance Club: Supports my recruiting goals and keeps me close to classmates on a similar path. I also want to learn more, take part in challenges, and go for leadership roles, like I did in Brazil, as president of my university’s finance club.
Tech Club: I want to stay close to my engineering and IT background, keep myself updated on what’s happening in that world, and keep learning about tech.
Christian Business Fellowship: Keeps me connected to my faith while building relationships with classmates who share it. A place to study the Bible, grow in faith together, and become a better disciple of Jesus.
LASA: To stay connected to my roots and meet other Latin American students who understand where I come from. I also care about making sure Latin American applicants considering Fuqua feel welcomed, and that they belong here.
What is one thing you have learned about Duke Fuqua that has surprised you?
What surprised me most is how intentional Fuqua is about creating a welcoming environment, through events built specifically for that. During the WaDuke Challenge, we ran a mile to a bar during a class break, had a beer, and ran back. We also had the Team Challenge, a full day of ropes courses built to create trust among classmates, and my section, Section 3, broke the record!
Both experiences showed me how the school builds a safe environment where we trust each other, push beyond our limits, and always have one another’s backs.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Coming from a military background, I am excited to finally take classes and be part of discussions I have never experienced before: business, economics, accounting, and finance. I also want to bring my wife along to as many activities as possible, so she feels part of the experience and the community. I’m also excited for the first-year camp-out and Duke basketball games. Go Blue Devils!!!
