Aaron St. John Kindle

University of Wisconsin – Madison (Wisconsin School of Business)

“A highly disciplined, intrinsically motivated veteran who strives to make positive impacts everywhere I go.”

Hometown: West De Pere, WI

Fun fact about yourself: As a paratrooper, I jumped out of planes in three separate countries.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Wisconsin – Madison, Bachelor of Science – Legal Studies

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? United States Army, 82nd Airborne Infantry

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Hendricks Commercial Properties in Beloit, WI

Where will you be working after graduation? Still considering offers.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Leader of the Real Estate Private Equity Southeast Team, Real Estate Tutor Program Coordinator, Army National Guard Infantry Squad Leader, Real Estate Case Competition Team Leader

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of the impact that the Real Estate Tutor Program has had. Having created the program and worked as a lead tutor, hearing undergraduate and graduate students say the program had long lasting impact on their experience and grades has been extremely fulfilling.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Being named the 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper of the Year in 2021 was the achievement that I am most proud of in my professional career. Being able to set an example for my soldiers and others in my Brigade was worth the endless challenges that I faced competing for the title.

Why did you choose this business school? As an alumnus from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I knew that I wanted to return to the city that had such a large impact on me. UW-Madison’s top ranked real estate program with the largest real estate alumni network sealed my decision to be a ‘Double Badger’.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My financial accounting professor Fabio B. Gaertner. Fabio’s overt desire to help students grasp the material and enjoy the process along the way resonated strongly with how I approach life and made for a great experience.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Real Estate Private Equity has been my favorite courses as it required relationship building skills, qualitative analysis, and quantitative modeling skills. Having the opportunity to lead a team while gaining real world experience investing alumni money in active real estate deals is something unique to UW-Madison and had a great impact on me as a student and professional.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA tradition was TAPS, Thursday After Professional Studies. It is an opportunity for graduate business students to come together and create memories outside of the long hours spent on class work. The opportunities to build relationships beyond just classmates have given way to lasting friendships with people I may never have gotten to know without TAPS.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Throughout the MBA program I have consistently worked three jobs. I bought a house and had my first child during the beginning of the program. Despite my nonstop schedule and never-ending challenges, I had the opportunity to create friendships that I will treasure for the rest of my life and maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA. Knowing that I was able to accomplish my goals and not forego any time with my wife or daughter, I would not change anything about my experience.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Madison is full of people who are kind and motivated to make positive change in the world. The Midwest mindset is exemplified here and has made for a positive, collaborative experience everywhere I go.

What surprised you the most about business school? I was most surprised by how quickly the program went. I am conflicted by wanting more time to learn everything I can but also getting back to having a career and working towards supporting my family. Where two years in the Army felt like it would never end, I can remember orientation like it was yesterday.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Tom Gebhard from my MBA class. I have never met someone who cares so deeply about treating other people well. He was a shining example of how someone can work tirelessly to succeed and still be available to help anyone at any time.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The first goal on my professional bucket list is to run my own real estate private equity fund. The second is to implement a real estate investment vehicle that supports developing housing for less fortunate people while providing services to allow them to thrive in life. Both of my goals are based on the view I have on business as a concept. To me, business is about creating the opportunity to give back to others.

What made Aaron such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Aaron Kindle has been an outstanding member of the Wisconsin FT MBA Class of 2025 and has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence that puts him at the top of his class while also being a servant leader for his classmates. His commitment to excellence has impacted students in programs across the Wisconsin School of Business. Aaron is the definition of an exceptional business student.

He has maintained a high GPA in a challenging curriculum, but it’s what he does outside of class that sets him apart from his peers. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable, but he also willingly shares that knowledge. His ability to teach and mentor is matched only by his ability to lead and his desire to see those around him succeed. He helped launch and now leads the Graaskamp Center Real Estate Tutoring Program to help students with their core real estate courses and leads a very successful regional team of four as part of our graduate student Real Estate Private Equity Fund allowing him to make an impact in the MBA community and as a professional.

Aaron manages to do all of this while maintaining active duty in the National Guard, caring for a baby at home, and juggling an internship. His drive and dedication are truly awe-inspiring. He is consistently the most prepared member of our cohort and is always willing to share his time with classmates to ensure they are not falling behind. Aaron is an enthusiastic supporter of his classmates, always encouraging them when their motivation is flagging and sending open job opportunities to those still looking for jobs. He exemplifies the Wisconsin MBA’s emphasis on both academic excellence and collaboration.

Aaron is one of the best and brightest not just because of his intellect and discipline but also because of his character. No one deserves this recognition more.”

Joe Crombie
Director of FT-MBA & Master’s Programs

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