Spencer Velarde

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“Adventure seeker looking to make a difference in the world.”

Hometown: New York, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: I brew kombucha, bake sourdough, and am constantly working on a cooking project.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Cornell ILR

Pursuing a JD/MBA w/ UChicago Law

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Compensation Analyst, National Basketball Association (NBA)

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the school’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Booth’s combined program with the Law School led me to choose the JD/MBA. Having the opportunity to work across industries and apply diverse perspectives was unique to this graduate program.

What quality best describes your MBA community and why? Explorers. Having met many of my classmates entering into the MBA during uncertain times has shown me how open they are to discovering new business ideas and adapting. I think we are particularly talented at seeing the positives around us.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far? I am most proud of my influence on the businesses through my work in compensation. I have successfully made the business case to raise minimum wages several times and have rebalanced bonus programs to better reward employees for great performance.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I am more uncertain than ever about my long-term career. Getting an MBA will provide me foundations to succeed regardless of the path I take.

What makes you most excited about getting your MBA at Booth? What makes you most nervous about starting business school? Learning economics at Chicago Booth is an academic dream. Getting a practical education on leading research is truly incredible.

I am most nervous about missing out on connections! With so many opportunities, it will be difficult to avoid FOMO.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? None!

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from them? The National Basketball Association (NBA) is my favorite company. Their inclusive culture and willingness to shift traditional perspectives on sports is world-leading. Business students can learn that even well-known businesses can redefine themselves even in the face of public pressure.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2022