Vann Emmanuel Vicente

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“I can laugh at pretty much anything.”

Hometown: Manila, Philippines

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m among the top 0.5% of Taylor Swift listeners on Spotify worldwide.

Undergraduate School and Major: De La Salle University, Economics & Advertising

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Growth Marketer, Winery.ph

The MBA program is renowned for its “Team Fuqua” culture, which is predicated on six paired principles: Authentic Engagement, Supportive Ambition, Collective Diversity, Impactful Stewardship, Loyal Community, and Uncompromising Integrity. Which of these resonates most with you – and what does that principle demand of you as a Fuqua MBA? Authentic Engagement. This value asks you to bring your entire self to the communities you inhabit – engaging in the things you’re passionate about and being vulnerable in front of others. At Fuqua, you’re expected to be yourself in front of your classmates and professors, and to make space so that others can feel comfortable being themselves as well.

What has been your first impression of the Fuqua MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Fuqua story so far. It’s the best community I could’ve asked for. I’ve already met over a hundred of the most interesting, engaging, and energized people. In fact, during my first day of orientation, I looked around me in genuine awe at how diverse my class was – a truly international class that represents a variety of backgrounds, nationalities, and walks of life.

My best Fuqua story so far? Rapping “Lose Yourself” by Eminem in front of my classmates over karaoke as they hyped me up. Absolutely unforgettable.

Aside from your classmates and school culture, what was the key part of Duke Fuqua’s MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? When it comes to curriculum, it was absolutely essential to me to pick a school that emphasizes the value of teamwork in everything they do. During your first semester at Fuqua, you get assigned a C-LEAD team – diverse groups of people you work with throughout all of your first year. I thrive in teams, and the idea of constantly working in a collaborative environment really sold me on Fuqua.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Duke Fuqua? FuquaPride! My undergraduate institution didn’t have one, so I’m absolutely ecstatic that I get to be part of a tight group that promotes for LGBTQIA+ advancement in business. One of my favorite things about Fuqua is the strong allyship. There are tons of people who become allies at FuquaPride every year, and I’m really excited to engage both within the club and with the broader community at Fuqua.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment would have to be leading the charge to add over a thousand new products to our e-commerce wine portfolio in just a few months. Our small startup team built the systems to make it happen from the ground up, and I believe it’s the most value-adding and exciting project I’ve ever worked on.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I really wanted to pursue a role within the intersection of technology and media, which is a rapidly growing industry in Southeast Asia. I’d be ecstatic to work for a company like Spotify or YouTube in a Product Marketing role.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? If you have not heard it, drop everything and listen to Beyoncé’s newest album, Renaissance. It’s an absolutely electrifying dance record full of exuberant joy and defiant confidence, with an emphasis on celebrating yourself. You’ll have plenty of time to read The Economist and listen to business podcasts when you’re already in the program. For now, dance and celebrate your story.

Also, they played “Alien Superstar” from the album throughout our orientation, so this song will have a special spot in my heart forever

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Duke Fuqua’s MBA program? Have fun with the process. I know that can seem like pretty ridiculous advice; you’re probably busy prepping for the GMAT or GRE, scheduling calls with people on LinkedIn, and planning your essays, all while working in your full-time job.

Fortunately, the Fuqua admissions process, more than any other school I applied to, emphasizes getting to know every fun and unique thing about you. You can tell your AdCom about your brief stint as a bellydancer, or about the time LeBron signed your Cavaliers cap, or your encyclopedic knowledge of the Survivor franchise. No other application emphasizes getting to know the whole you quite as much – so enjoy it!

DON’T MISS: MEET DUKE FUQUA’S MBA CLASS OF 2024