David Andrés Jaurrieta Hinojos

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Genuinely kind and positive. I aspire to lead, grow, and build by helping others achieve.”

Hometown: Chihuahua, México

Fun fact about yourself: I was born May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) and have to constantly explain that it is not Mexico’s Independence Day.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), B.S. Industrial Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? In a Chilean AI software-as-a-service startup called Aira as a Growth Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? McKinsey & Company. Houston, TX

Where will you be working after graduation? McKinsey & Company as an Associate

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Global Geophysical Scholarship recipient
• Fulbright Scholar
• Co-President Consulting Association
• Treasurer Latin Business Student Association
• MBA Ambassador
• Volunteer, Women in Leadership Conference

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Co-leading the Consulting Association with Sandip Roy and helping multiple people secure summer internships and full-time offers. I am very proud of what we achieved with the Consulting Association and the direction it is going to make Rice Business more renowned for consulting. This opportunity has taught me a lot about who I am as a leader and my opportunities for improvement.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Four years ago, during the pandemic, I was asked to act as interim Digital Marketing Manager and double the digital channel sales for February 2020 compared to January 2020. My team surpassed the channel’s prior sales record by 10% while decreasing costs by 50%. I had only one year of work experience at that point, but had worked closely for the Managing Director during that year.

I am very proud of this achievement because I had to learn how to motivate a team that did not previously report to me as well as align multiple stakeholders. Also, I was freshly out of college, and this was one of those opportunities where I proved to myself that I could achieve big things regardless of tenure or age. Experience is important, but in this case listening to my team and co-workers proved critical in helping us eliminate roadblocks and achieve growth.

Why did you choose this business school? Before applying, I talked with a few students and read about what Rice Business was doing and their improvement in rankings. What I realized is that Rice Business was transforming itself and on the verge of high growth as a business school and that I wanted to be part of that transformation.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Balaji Koka. Professor Koka has a unique way of leading case-based classes. He constantly moves around the classroom asking questions and keeping the students engaged. He is an outstanding professor not only for his breadth of knowledge but because of how thoughtful he is in how best to deliver and transmit it.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Leadership. This course is an Intensive Learning Experience (ILE) that puts you in the role of the CEO for two days. The course is very intense, dynamic, and competitive as there are different team (companies). It is a great hands-on experience that is unique to Rice Business.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Women in Leadership Conference (WILC). I had the opportunity to attend in 2023 as a student and in 2024 as a volunteer. This conference is one of Rice’s iconic conferences and the largest student-led conference at Rice. I think this conference is a clear example of how students are creating value for students, companies, and for Rice. Also, it is a beacon of inspiration in the Houston community, empowering women and supporting diversity. I deeply appreciate the work done by my peers and knowing that this Rice event is contributing to the development of future women leaders.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? With the risk of sounding arrogant, I would not change a thing. I believe that I took all the classes I wanted, talked with as many people I could, built as many friendships as I could make, and took as many projects and leadership roles as I could take (and handle).

What is the biggest myth about your school? There are no particular myths to Rice Business, or at least not negative ones. Something that people might understate and not believe is the fact that Rice has a small tight-knit community and leverages it as an asset. Many might believe it is just marketing. It is not that you get to know all your classmates as intimate friends, but the way we support each other during the program and as alumni is special.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Rice University’s tree-lined campus. Such an outstanding campus and greenery inside the fourth largest city in the United States creates a relaxing effect. The campus allows you to escape the buzz of the city, recharge and even invites you to be outside. Around the campus, you can find a loop filled with runners every morning. I personally trained there for my first 10K.

What surprised you the most about business school? The quality of people I met. I knew a fundamental part of business school is meeting new people and networking, but one thing is theory and other living it. The people I met are so unique and diverse and have achieved so many things that I wish the MBA could have lasted a little more to get to know them all a little better.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Bo Bo. Bo was part of my core team, a group of students that you work with for all the first semester. Bo is one of those unique individuals that can do anything, and one cannot understand how they manage everything, and still, they always get it right. To this day, I cannot understand how he managed to do the full-time MBA while working a full-time job as revenue manager in hospitality, successfully recruited for consulting, and worked out every day. Bo is one of the people that I admire the most and I am very humbled to have met such an outstanding and considerate person and now call him a friend.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Create 1,000 jobs that generate social mobility. As Einstein said, “Those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act…”

2. Become a key player at the frontier of knowledge, make things happen instead of finding about them regardless of if it is as a consulting partner, founder, or investor.

What made David such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“David Jaurrieta stands out as an exemplary Rice MBA student who embodies the spirit of excellence and leadership. From the outset of his journey, he has consistently championed student success through various roles, co-leading the Consulting Association and serving as an Admissions Ambassador. His impact extends far beyond his immediate sphere, influencing not only the 150 students he has directly worked with but also enhancing the efficacy of Student Associations overall. As a visionary leader of the Consulting Association and the Latin Business Student Association, David has demonstrated a keen ability to listen to student needs and tailor opportunities accordingly, from creating innovative mentorship programs and networking sessions to effectively bridging the gap between students, companies, and faculty. Through his leadership and the team he co-leads, the Consulting Association was restructured and advanced, yielding more consulting offers than previously forecasted due to market conditions.

David’s commitment to excellence is evident in his proactive approach to effecting positive change within the Rice community. He does not hesitate to speak up and proactively seek solutions when faced with challenges or areas not meeting his or the institution’s standards. David’s resourcefulness and dedication have greatly benefited Rice Business over the past two years, his efforts have even facilitated international connections for the university and opened the door for future partnerships. His impact will undoubtedly continue to resonate as he embarks on his career at McKinsey post-graduation. David’s dedication and ability to drive meaningful change make him an invaluable asset to any organization fortunate enough to have him on board.”

Mariella de Alba Ortiz
Senior Associate Director, Consulting Liaison, Career Education and Advising
Career Development Office

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024