Karen Verboski

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Passionate lawyer turned entrepreneur and finance enthusiast, avid runner, dog mom, perpetual learner.”

Hometown: Teresina, PI, Brazil

Fun fact about yourself: I moonlight as an Airbnb host, curating five unique and cozy spaces for travelers to call home.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PIAUÍ – Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PIAUÍ – Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Leon’s Signs, Inc. Financial Controller.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Pfizer, Inc

Where will you be working after graduation? Pfizer, Inc

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Teaching Assistant: New Enterprises and Business Communications
• Admissions Ambassador
• Co-President: Entrepreneurship Association
• Vice-President: Club of Public Policy
• Treasurer: Rice Paws
• Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) Conference Committee
• Veteran’s Business Battle (VBB) Committee
• Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) contestant
• Venture Capital e-lab Fellow
• Rice Business Partners Student Liaison
• Forté Ambassador
• Consortium Member
• Full-Tuition Academic Merit Scholar

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? One of my proudest achievements during business school was leading the Entrepreneurship Association as Co-President and organizing the first Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) Conference the school has ever held. I vividly remember the sleepless nights and countless emails, chats, meetings, and spreadsheets. Most importantly, I remember working with the support and network of incredible faculty, school staff and an amazing team of friends who were also fellow committee leaders: Chris Frank, Dana Vazquez and Tripp Ballard. The event brought together students and industry experts that enlightened more than 250 attendees about a facet of entrepreneurship that is not as widely known and explored in the South.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? A pivotal moment in my professional career was moving to the U.S. to join my life partner during his acquisition of Leon’s Signs, Inc. Transitioning the business from a 6-digit loss in 2016 to a 7-digit EBITDA in 2022 was a testament to the power of new management and strategic financial strategy. This achievement showcased how small businesses can transition to a growth stage and endure despite hard times like COVID. It also highlighted how the new and diverse teams that we built had the ability to drive positive change within the organization. If I take learning as a measure of success for each endeavor of my life, I’d consider my time there unmatched.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Rice Business primarily for its emphasis on entrepreneurship. It was a decision that proved right and shaped most of the defining moments of my MBA. One example is when I partnered up with an amazing Ph.D. student and pitched an endometriosis cell therapy solution for a Rice competition named the Napier Challenge. I also became a “New Enterprises” (one of our classes) Teaching Assistant, competed in the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC), and collaborated with a diverse team of students on a food SaaS startup project. It ultimately changed my perspective and made me realize the importance of customer research and a strong network of mentors and believers provided by Lilie (The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship). It was hands-on experience that reinforced my excitement for the school’s commitment to fostering innovation and practical skill development.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Al Danto left an indelible mark on me during the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition class. One particular session of the ETA class, where we simulated a real acquisition and went through our criteria, valuation and search fund profile stood out. The feedback provided by him every step of the way was instrumental to trigger reflections about my previous decision making and rethink my priorities.

Prof Al Danto also supported and encouraged our leadership team in the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition conference. He opened his network and helped us bring in many or our speakers, panelists and sponsors. His ability to bridge theory with practical application and provide actionable feedback greatly enriched our learning experience.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? The Venture Capital e-lab was more than just a course; it was a transformative experience. Softeq Ventures, our partner, assigned me a project involving portfolio companies’ valuation, where I could exercise my skills in strategic decision-making and creating data-driven models. I distinctly remember the intensity of our presentations to the boards, and how incredible it is to better understand actual venture capitalists. The skills gained, the connections forged, and the real-world exposure made this course a cornerstone of my MBA journey, and I eventually onboarded with Softeq to work six more months for them.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? The Annual Veteran’s Business Battle is a highlight for me. I am actively participating in organizing this year’s event as a committee member and having the opportunity to see first-hand veteran entrepreneurs sharing their journeys with students, venture capitalists and angel investors. The winning teams secure funding and normally launch successful ventures. This event not only highlights entrepreneurial talent, but also proves the strength and intellectual brilliance of the people that serve this country. It demonstrates the impact that our work as students — with the support of faculty and staff — can have on shaping real-world outcomes and inspires us to pursue our own ventures. Once again, it’s a testament to Rice’s commitment to connecting students with movers and shakers that turn out to be our next great leaders.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could go back, I would proactively seek more cross-disciplinary collaborations. Two instances that highlighted the value of campus-wide cross-disciplinary collaboration was a joint event with Ph.D. students called “Commercialization Connections” and a trek to Silicon Valley called “Ignite.” There were Ph.D.s and undergrads on these events and they were incredibly engaging. Their technical expertise complemented our business acumen, resulting in a more holistic experience. The trip to Palo Alto and the good times on campus with them made me realize (a little late) the untapped potential of those diverse collaborations, something I would prioritize if given the chance to revisit my MBA journey.

What is the biggest myth about your school? A common myth about our school was that we would meet mostly energy professionals given its location in Houston. Rice is very strong on connecting us with opportunities and people from all sectors. It fosters traditional career paths like consulting and investment banking — our largest placements post-MBA — as well as other finance careers in different industries. My experience, especially through my internship as a summer finance associate at Pfizer in Manhattan, revealed that the diverse curriculum and the network provided to us caters to varied interests and supports individuals who are interested in almost anything, even healthcare-related careers. The school’s commitment to strengthening my skills in finance and healthcare far exceeded the myth that energy and entrepreneurship are its sole strengths and revealed how dynamic and inclusive the program really is.

What surprised you the most about business school? The level of diversity and collaboration among students pleasantly surprised me. The fact that every single person around me came from a different corner of the U.S. or the world brought unique perspectives into my views regarding most things. During recruiting season (challenging times for MBAs), we relied heavily on each other for help. The collaborative spirit, despite the competitive environment, showcased how challenging times only brought out the best in deeply different but equally incredible people. My cohort’s genuine willingness to share knowledge and foster a supportive environment elevated the overall experience and maximized our placements.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I deeply admire Dana Vazquez, a fellow MBA student who exemplified the perfect balance between academic excellence, leadership and community service. Her commitment to various clubs, academic achievements and her impactful community service are truly inspiring. She invited me to volunteer for the Puranik Foundation mentoring students from the Energy High School while they developed business ideas and engaged in prototyping and pitching investors.

She’s a well-rounded and inspiring individual with the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities while excelling in each area. She’s been a constant source of motivation for me.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? First, my short-term goal is contributing the most to my new employer, Pfizer, and actively engage in mentoring programs while there. I believe in the power of mentorship to shape future leaders and am committed to always being in both ends of this chain: always acting as a mentee or mentor to different colleagues. Giving back to the institutions that have been supporting my growth will always be a priority in my life.

Second, I aspire to launch my own venture, leveraging the skills and insights gained during my MBA and professional journey. I envision creating a business that not only will thrive financially but will also contributes meaningfully to my community and hometown in Brazil.

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

“To say that Karen was an invaluable student in the Class of 2024 would be an understatement! She stood out perhaps more than any other student I have had and left a lasting impression on me and everyone else who had the privilege of working with her.

Karen excelled in the classroom, but her contributions extended far beyond academics.

She took on high-profile positions that showcased her organizational and leadership skills including, being the founder and coordinator of our inaugural Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference, a highly successful event that drew over 250 attendees, Co-President of our Entrepreneurship Association, a leader of the Veterans Business Battle (a two-and-a-half-day event), Vice President of the Public Policy Club, a Rice Business Partners student liaison, an Admissions Ambassador, a Venture Capital fellow and many other roles.

These were not just titles for Karen; they represented countless hours of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to ensuring successful outcomes. Her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities while excelling academically was inspiring to all of us!”

Al Danto
Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship

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