Elsa Victoria Treviño García

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“Extreme extrovert, friendly, responsible, organized, mother of three, wife and Latin.”

Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself: I think I love golf, but every time I’m at the golf course, I absolutely hate it and wonder how people like it, lol.

Undergraduate School and Major: Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (Monterrey Tech), Mexico. International Relations Major.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Managing partner & CEO – Toro Ventures (Venture capital fund founded and managed by my co-founder and me.)

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? All paired principles resonate a lot with me, in my own personal way. Team Fuqua is an almost tangible thing. It’s amazing to meet your classmates and realize we all have these paired principles; we are all Team Fuqua. Admissions really does an amazing job of getting to know people from their applications. “Team Fuqua” is the reason I only applied to Fuqua.

The one I feel I’ll be most strongly about is “Supportive Ambition.” As far back as I can remember, I have been someone that likes and empowers people to “shine” and bring out their most amazing selves. Of course, I like to shine too, but seeing someone else shine because of me is as fulfilling as shining on my own, credit is not needed. I am eager to join the Venture Capital Club and help everyone with all their projects, including trying to raise capital or creating a VC fund. Helping others is the main reason I wish to join the club. I started my own VC fund seven years ago, so hopefully I’ll be able to help some of my classmates who want to start a fund or a company.

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? The rigor of the curriculum in the STEM field really impressed me. Beyond my courses, I was also really looking for the right location for my family of five—my husband, three kids, and a dog. I am not coming to Fuqua as many students, single and ready to mingle. So, as a family, we have different needs. I didn’t want to be in a big fast-paced city and have my kids live in an apartment. We wanted an outdoorsy life in a tranquil city. We wanted a backyard to let the kids run around safely. We wanted to have a community. I am not the only parent in the class, I’m not even the only mother. There are quite a few of us. For me, choosing Fuqua meant I didn’t have to sacrifice anything or anyone in my family. Fuqua is very good at making sure everyone has a community.

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. Students at Fuqua genuinely care for each other. The most amazing thing happened to us, and I still get the chills thinking about it. My husband and I drove from Mexico to Durham so we could have our minivan, our kid’s essential stuff and set up the house before the kids came to the country. When we arrived in Durham, the first thing we did was go to the leasing office in our complex. There was a friend waiting for us to arrive and give us a key she had driven to the other side of town to get. She wanted us to have a smooth landing. With this key, we were able to enter the warehouse and get the alumni furniture package we had bought. She and her husband also helped us unpack the boxes filling our minivan. Later that day, it started raining heavily, but that didn’t stop someone else from the community from helping us move furniture from the warehouse to the house. After that, it was four intense days of several people I had never met before inside my house helping hang the curtains, put up a fence, build furniture and do the heavy lifting. These people are all forever in my heart and have my most sincere respect. This is “Team Fuqua.”

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Duke Fuqua? Admissions Fellow. I’m eager to help the admissions team in the heavy lifting. But mainly, I want to help welcome prospective students and show them what Team Fuqua is about.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’m proud of myself for creating a Venture Capital Fund. This has helped 16 startups get funding and continue with their innovations. Having people trust me enough to be willing to give me their money is something humbling and empowering at the same time. It makes me super proud.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I’m here to study and engage with everything Fuqua has to offer. Classes, clubs, friendships. I’m not here for the parties (although I will enjoy them), or just to get a job (although I’ll find my next move soon). I’m here for the friendships and the learning.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Duke Fuqua’s MBA program? Make sure you are Team Fuqua and you let the admissions team know. Understand where your strengths and weaknesses are in your application and focus on improving your weaknesses.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2025: INSPIRING, INVENTIVE, IMPACTFUL