Leonardo Silva

Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University

Hometown: Brasilia, Brazil

Fun Fact About Yourself: Sometimes, when I’m tired, I speak Portuguese with my classmates. Then, I switch to English again.

Undergraduate School and Major: Brazilian Air Force Academy – Double Bachelor: Administration and Logistics Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Brazilian Air Force – Head of Administrative Section of Preparedness Command Cabinet

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Coordinated the procurement process for the acquisition of combat simulation training package for fighter pilots and air traffic controllers at Swedish Air Force Combat Simulation Centre – FLSC – supporting the 1st Air Defense Group operational capability to receive the new F-39 Gripen aircraft fighters, which will be delivered from January 2021.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I was impressed by their leadership skills in highly diverse industries. In the RSM Class of 2020, one can find a Ph.D. researcher in chemistry, architect, art manager, marketing analysts, consultants and an army officer. In this sense, we have the perfect storm of business ideas, personal experiences and knowledge that fosters invaluable class discussions and enrich the learning outcome in the MBA programme.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this programme for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Definitely the location. With the American H-1B Visa policy issues and Brexit uncertainty, Netherlands was the best place to enroll in an MBA degree for three reasons: 1-year search visa (work-permit) after graduation, presence of many FT500 firms in Amsterdam and the positive economic outlook for the next years.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Supply Chain, Strategy, and Consulting.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After deciding to make my transition to the corporate career, I felt the need to bridge the knowledge gap in corporate finance, strategy, and operations management. Moreover, an MBA abroad would give me the international exposure necessary to explore opportunities in different industries whilst developing ability to perform on teams with diverse background and culture.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment?

I have analysed the MBA job market, used data from GMAC, and assessed the local employment opportunities within my target industries. The positive outlook for MBA hires in the next years has supported my decision.

What other MBA programmes did you apply to? I have applied only to RSM in 2018.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I have taken into consideration my military background and professional experience. Then, I selected schools offering 1-year programme. Finally, I narrowed my research based on location and work-permit after graduation.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? It was when I decided to take exams to go to the Navy School with 16 years old. I left home and, for the first time, I would be held accountable for my decisions. I’ve learnt the hard way to endure pain, overcome failure and deal with struggle. I wasn’t at my parents’ house anymore. Years later, I graduated from the Air Force Academy and the sense of responsibility, independence and ownership remains. Undoubtedly, having left home early has shaped my personality and made me a resilient person.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Normally, I would have delivered a definite response. However, it is still an unfinished project. What I can tell is that I’m focusing on consulting.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself as a project leader, delivering solutions to clients, being a champion in transformation, turn-around and restructuring. I also want to mentor new consultants from non-traditional industries.