Giovanna Pinciroli

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“24-year-old green-eyed Italian. Stanford engineer. 3 years in PE Large Buyout in London. Booth MBA candidate.”

Hometown: Milan, Italy

Fun Fact About Yourself: During my time at Stanford, I further developed a passion for photography and capturing motion in sports. Became the photographer of the Men’s Water Polo team.

Undergraduate School and Major: Stanford University, Major in Management Science and Engineering (Industrial Engineering), Minor in Economics, graduated with Honors (Interdisciplinary Honors thesis completed with Stanford’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law) and Distinction. Member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi Honor Societies.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Private Equity Associate, Apax Partners, Global Buyout Team

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Chicago Booth’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? I value Booth’s learning approach, which entails taking 21 courses during the MBA and delving deep into these subjects. Furthermore, Booth’s exceptional focus on finance and private equity is very important to me, having worked for three years in PE across two Global Buyout Funds, I am determined to stay in this field. In my view, Booth outpaces other top programs in terms of professors (e.g., Professor Steve Kaplan, one of the world’s top researchers in this field), courses (e.g., Private Equity Lab, Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity, Entrepreneurship through Acquisition, Private Equity Transactions), and offerings beyond the curriculum (e.g., The Svider Private Equity Program, Booth’s Private Equity Conference within the Polsky Center).

The Booth MBA is also known for being highly data-driven. Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How have you been able to leverage this approach in your career so far? Being an engineer by training, my way of reasoning is quite aligned with Booth’s data-driven approach. While quantitative analysis alone does not guarantee success, I adopted this tool across work experiences and studies to break down situations and tasks and prioritize next steps. In PE, data analysis has been very helpful during the company due diligence process, as well as while tackling specific portfolio company matters. I believe that “getting your hands dirty” with data analysis can also, once zooming out, lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the bigger picture.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago Booth? I am humbled to have been selected as 1 of 5 Chicago Booth Distinguished Fellows in my class. Beyond receiving a merit-based scholarship that covers the full tuition, fees, and awards a stipend, the fellowship includes a leadership program that complements the MBA experience—which I believe is a wonderful opportunity that I am very excited to pursue.

What has been your first impression of the Booth MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Tell us your best Booth story so far. When I visited Booth, I had the opportunity to chat with 1st- and 2nd-year students. My first impression? Students have a strong drive and intellectual curiosity, coupled with a special openness towards supporting others and a hope to see them succeed in their respective paths. Overall, it is a great environment for learning and personal growth.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far. I have worked for three years in Private Equity across two large-buyout funds. In 2022, during my time at BC Partners, I was one of 5 deal-team members partaking in the acquisition of Fedrigoni—this was the largest Private Equity deal closed in Italy during that year.

Describe the best memory of your life. Why does that moment resonate with you? I grew up ski racing at the national level in Italy. One of my fondest memories is the simulation of one turn—the basis of carving—as done by my coach Luca: Atop the mountain, Luca and I stood facing each other, entirely still. My skis were parallel, the edges firmly planted in the snow. My legs formed a 60-degree angle with the slope while my torso faced the valley, slightly hovering over my forward ski. I extended the base of my ski poles to Luca, who was unable to drag me down the slope. Next, I released pressure from my skis. I stood tall facing the valley, my skis pointed down the mountain. Luca continued to hold my poles, acting as pivot for the turn itself. Finding the courage to point skis down was essential, as traction gained in the next turn is directly proportional to time spent standing straight. Carving in skiing—also a metaphor for carving trajectories in life—involved choosing a direction, navigating uncertainty before each turn, and leaving deep marks on the slope.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? Seek out chats with current students, alumni, and faculty before and during the application process. Ask them open-ended questions about their story, what brought them to Booth, how they have grown since their arrival, and what Booth means to them. You will at once get to know inspiring people, and get a sense for Booth’s one-of-a-kind culture.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2026