Omar Estrada

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“I am infinitely curious, people-centric and guided by beauty.”

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Fun Fact About Yourself: I enjoy making my own mayonnaise and cold brew. Both are simple to make and can be easily varied!

Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Colorado at Boulder, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Finance, and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Colorado Department of Education, Principal Consultant

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Center for Excellence in Investment Management was the primary reason I chose this program. Attending the Alpha Challenge in December 2023, I was impressed by the Q&A sessions of each pitch, which reminded me of my last pitch in undergrad 10 years ago. After the pitch, I spoke with Pramita Saha, executive director of the center, who assured me of the robust support the investment management program offers to students to thoroughly prepare them for their futures. This small but mighty team is a growing program and I knew then I wanted to be a part of it.

What are some advantages you’ve seen in earning your MBA in Chapel Hill? A strong and active alumni community was a recurring theme in conversations with students during my application process. The program excels in preparing you for your next career move, but it’s the people it attracts and the community they build that truly drives success. You can always reach out to an alum and receive invaluable support, knowing you share the same background as a Tar Heel.

What has been your first impression of the Kenan-Flagler MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Kenan-Flagler story so far. During a pre-MBA opportunity at a Kansas City investment firm, I spoke with several alumni who work there – a great sign for the program. However, the standout conversation was with a student in their MBA internship program, who spoke with me during one of their happy hours. Despite being a brief conversation, the student was remarkably open and honest, making me feel comfortable asking any question about their path, the program, or how they like their career choice so far. This conversation exemplifies the types of interactions I am having with my classmates, showcasing the program’s supportive and transparent culture built by the staff and students. It has always been difficult for me to ask for help, but the staff and students here make it easy to progress together.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagler? Through the Center for Excellence in Investment Management, a Fundamental Investment Practicum is offered for those interested in a career in analyzing fundamental investments. This non-credit course, taught by a UNC alumnus and partner at an investment firm, starts in mid-July – much earlier than when our orientation starts. For someone pivoting from education, this course has been tremendously helpful and intellectually stimulating, providing practical insights and knowledge essential for my new desired career path. It also helps to introduce me to other classmates that are interested in this area of finance.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment was leading a turnaround project for Colorado’s school-based Medicaid program. Tasked with improving the State Education Agency’s portion of the program, I rewrote many policies for program administration and strengthened relationships with our districts and our state Medicaid agency partner. In the process, I was able to create a streamlined program with less confusion on how to administer the program at the school district level. This helped us to reduce administrative costs at the local level by almost 20%, meaning more Medicaid reimbursement dollars could go to student health rather than program administration. I completed most of the tasks within three months and continued to make further improvements over the nearly four years I led the program. I received some great insight from a mentor in the private sector who recommended The Lean Business by Eric Ries, which was very useful in this turnaround. This effort earned me the de Beaumont Foundation 40 Under 40 Honor and inspired my decision to pursue an MBA.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I want to pursue a research-focused role, possibly in equity or fixed income research. However, I often mentioned in my MBA applications that, in the long term—perhaps 15-20 years from now—I hope to return to government work, where I believe I can make the greatest impact on programs that need it. I didn’t know I would be in North Carolina four years ago, so anything can happen. I lean heavily on a quote from mathematician Jim Simmons that I use as my North Star: “Be guided by beauty.”

DON’T MISS: MEET UNC KENAN-FLAGLER’S MBA CLASS OF 2026