Tiago Freitas Triumpho

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Business

“A deep thinker who believes that persistence and humility can take you a long way.”

Hometown: São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Fun fact about yourself: I have four children, but we only celebrate two birthday parties in our family: the older boys were born on the same day (two years apart) and the younger girls are twins.

Undergraduate School and Degree: B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Astronomy at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? I was a data science manager for Itaú Unibanco bank, the largest private bank in Latin America.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2018? Strategic Marketing Leadership Development Program at Owens Corning in Toledo, OH

Where will you be working after graduation? Senior Business Intelligence Specialist at Google

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Hawes Scholars Award (Highest distinction given to MBA students at BYU)
• Eccles Scholars Award (Program to support distinct MBA students who have a strong interest in international business)
• Vice President of Business Development at BYU’s Marketing Lab (Student-led marketing research consultancy agency)
• Marketing Sherpa (Second-year MBA mentorship program of first-year students)
• Teaching Assistant for MBA core Marketing class
• First place in two BYU marketing case competitions

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? As a VP of the student-led Marketing Lab, I had many opportunities to not only develop new skills, but also had the autonomy to take my functional team to a new standard and leave a legacy for future students to enjoy.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I once had an analyst who worked for me. She was very talented, especially with her interpersonal skills, but she was not appropriately appreciated for her work in the company. As her manager, I was able to work with her and give her opportunities to lead and shine. Not long after, she was promoted to supervisor and has contributed to the company tremendously. I was glad to be part of her development.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Michael Drake – He is an Associate Professor of Accounting and Distinguished PwC Fellow in the School of Accountancy. Professor Drake has an incredible ability to make everything he teaches incredibly simple and interesting – if anyone can make accounting interesting, this person must be an excellent teacher! But what differentiates him is how he is approachable and makes everyone feel important; he cares about us more than just teaching us content.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? In the BYU MBA Marketing Track, there is a tradition of going rafting on the Colorado River near Moab, Utah with the faculty, recruiters, and our classmates right before the program starts. It was not only a great opportunity to informally get to know all these people, but it also helped me network with the recruiters, which secured my internship during the next summer, one year in advance.

Why did you choose this business school? BYU is a very interesting combination of high academic quality and a family-friendly environment. This makes this school very unique: challenging and welcoming at the same time.

What is your best advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s MBA program? Prepare, prepare, and prepare. Do your homework in terms of tests but go beyond a good GMAT score: network with faculty and current students and present yourself as a well-rounded businessperson in essays and interactions.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The myth that the school is not welcoming to people who look different from the normal student population is probably the biggest one. The program can improve in the area of representation, but progress is being made and the culture is inclusive.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would have liked to have known when to take things a little more lightly, enjoying more activities outside of study and clubs. All of those are awesome, but there is more to life than grades and school.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Josh Brooks is one of the smartest people I have ever met, but he doesn’t let it get into his head. He is gentle and always willing to help you.

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? I had many mentors that helped me see the benefits of an MBA, but my wife Leticia Pessoa Triumpho was the one person that made all this possible.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I would like to have responsibility over my own P&L (and be successful at managing it!) and be capable of giving back to assist aspiring young professionals the same way I have been assisted before and during my MBA.

In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you? I would like to be remembered as someone that was always there for them.

Hobbies? I like playing volleyball and barbecuing with my family and friends.

What made Tiago such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2020?

“Once during a case discussion, a student essentially said, “We need an astrophysicist to figure this out.” Tiago responded, “That’s me,” and then shared a piece of brilliant insight. His peers admire Tiago not only for his academic excellence but also as a role model for life. He and Leticia have four lovely children, are active in building the community including humanitarian and religious efforts, and still, find time for friends.”

Prof. Grant McQueen
MBA Director

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