Vinicius Santos Avelar

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

“A human on a mission, driven by passion, discipline, and heart to positively impact others.”

Hometown: Santo Antônio do Amparo, Brazil

Fun fact: I love AI and analytics, but my wife is the real machine learning expert—she instantly knows when I forgot something she asked me to do.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Federal University of São João del-Rei – Electrical Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Vale (Brazilian Mining Company) – Maintenance Planning, Scheduling, and Control Coordinator

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Amazon – Jacksonville

Where will you be working after graduation? Amazon – Pathways Operations Manager

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:
Merit Scholarship
Arjun V. Gokhale Spirit Award
Vice-President of Marketing – Operations and General Management Club
Vice-President of Finance – Latin American Business Club
Tutor for Probability and Statistics, Managerial Economics, Accounting 1 and 2, Finance 1, Optimization, Operations Management
Tutor for consortium 1st years
Mentor for Operations Recruitment
Tepper Ambassador
Member of the Diversity Weekend Committee
Memberships: Partners Club, Latin American Business Club, Operations and General Management Club, and Consulting Club

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? One has been mentoring and preparing over ten classmates and first-years for their Amazon internship and full-time interviews. Seeing them succeed—most securing offers—has been incredibly rewarding. While their success is entirely their own, I’m grateful that my guidance, mock interviews, and strategic insights played a small role in boosting their confidence and readiness for such a competitive process.

Beyond the interview prep, what made this experience truly special was the sense of community it fostered. Helping others navigate this challenging process wasn’t just about sharing knowledge—it was about building a supportive network where we celebrated each other’s progress. It reinforced my belief that success is not just about individual achievements but about lifting others up along the way. The best part? I now get to work alongside some of them at Amazon after graduation!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of the defining moments of my career was leading an emergency water supply effort for over 100,000 people after the 2015 Rio Doce mining disaster contaminated the primary water source for entire communities. Faced with an unprecedented crisis, I worked alongside a multidisciplinary team to develop a rapid response strategy—coordinating logistics, optimizing distribution routes, and ensuring that 2 million liters of potable water reached affected populations daily. This mission was not only about logistics; it was about restoring stability and hope to families facing uncertainty.

Navigating such a high-stakes crisis tested every aspect of leadership—from managing resources under pressure to making critical decisions with incomplete information. It reinforced the power of resilience, strategic thinking, and decisive action in times of uncertainty. More than anything, I am grateful for the incredible team of leaders, engineers, operators, and volunteers who worked tirelessly alongside me to turn chaos into coordinated action. This experience solidified my belief that leadership is about staying composed in uncertainty, making bold decisions, and inspiring those around you to achieve the impossible.

Why did you choose this business school? While the Tepper School’s strong focus on cutting-edge problem-solving and data-driven decision-making initially attracted me, what truly set it apart was its culture of collaboration and humanity—something that deeply resonated with me.

During my application process, I had a conversation with J.R. McGrath that changed my perspective. Coming from Brazil with a background in mining, I was nervous about how I would adapt to an MBA environment. He reassured me that the Tepper School values diverse experiences and that I would be joining a community where people truly support and uplift each other. That moment made me realize that the Tepper School wasn’t just about academic excellence—it was about fostering meaningful connections, embracing different perspectives with empathy, and ensuring that everyone thrives together. This culture has been instrumental in my transition and success here.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Sustainable Business & Environment, taught by Professor Nicholas Muller. This course reinforced my belief that sustainability isn’t just an ethical responsibility—it’s a competitive necessity for businesses navigating an evolving global economy. We explored how financial markets, carbon pricing, and ESG investing are shaping corporate strategy, analyzing real-world applications like green bonds, carbon offsets, and risk-adjusted environmental impact pricing. The course challenged me to think beyond traditional operational metrics, demonstrating how businesses that integrate sustainability into decision-making don’t just mitigate risk—they unlock profitability, resilience, and long-term value creation. As a future COO, I want to lead organizations that embrace sustainable innovation, operational efficiency, and strategic foresight—because the best-run companies won’t just adapt to sustainability; they will leverage it as a strategic advantage.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would be kinder to myself. The MBA moves fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in recruiting, grades, deadlines, and the constant push to achieve more. I was always working hard—sometimes more than I should have—constantly pushing myself to excel in academics, leadership, and career preparation. At the same time, I recognize that this drive and determination were also what made my MBA journey so fulfilling. Every opportunity I pursued, every late night spent preparing for interviews, and every challenge I tackled contributed to my growth. But in hindsight, I wish I had given myself more time to recharge—whether by stepping away from work without guilt, or simply trusting that I was already doing enough.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Pittsburgh is a perfect balance between city life and nature. It offers all the opportunities of a vibrant urban center—great restaurants, tech innovation, and a strong business community—while also providing incredible outdoor spaces to unwind.

Paulo Coelho once wrote, ‘It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.’ For me, Pittsburgh embodied that idea. Whether it was taking a break by the rivers, running through Schenley Park, or simply enjoying the city’s scenic views, I found it to be the ideal place to both push forward in my MBA journey and recharge when needed. That balance made my time at the Tepper School even more meaningful.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? While not a business show, Designated Survivor reflects the realities of leadership in high-stakes environments. Tom Kirkman is thrown into the presidency overnight, forced to make critical decisions with limited information, high uncertainty, and competing interests—much like business leaders navigating crises. The show highlights the importance of adaptability, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management, demonstrating that great leadership isn’t about always having the right answers but about making tough decisions with confidence, integrity, and clear communication. It reinforced my belief that success in business, like in government, depends on the ability to lead under pressure and inspire trust in uncertain times.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? The Tepper School integrates AI into its programming through cutting-edge coursework, research, and real-world applications, preparing students to solve business challenges using AI-driven solutions. In courses like Data Mining and Big Data, I worked hands-on with AI tools to analyze large datasets, predict trends, and optimize decision-making—gaining valuable experience in how AI can drive business strategy.

But the Tepper School’s approach to AI goes beyond just tools and models. Through the Center for Intelligent Business, faculty collaborate with CMU’s world-class engineers, social scientists, and policy experts to ensure that students don’t just learn AI—they learn how to use it ethically and responsibly. This commitment to AI as both a technological enabler and a strategic force aligns with what Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, said: ‘AI isn’t replacing human jobs—it’s replacing jobs that don’t use AI.’
Experiencing AI in both technical and strategic contexts reinforced my belief that it is not a replacement for human decision-making, but rather a tool that enhances strategic thinking, automates routine analysis, and allows leaders to focus on people and higher-level decisions. The future belongs to those who integrate AI into business.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Before starting my MBA, I anticipated many challenges as an international student. Then I met Thiago Irineu, whose journey redefined resilience for me. Pursuing an MBA in a foreign country is already demanding, but Thiago faced even greater hurdles—balancing academics while raising two children, living far from campus to provide them stability, and enduring a 1.5-hour daily commute by public transportation. His sacrifices, both personal and academic, exemplify unwavering dedication and strength, making him a true inspiration.

As if that wasn’t enough, at the end of our first year, his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Despite this unimaginable challenge, every time I saw him, he had a smile on his face and a positive attitude. He remained dedicated to his studies, contributed to the Tepper School community, and embodied resilience, optimism, and selflessness. Thiago is the true definition of perseverance, and his ability to navigate adversity while still uplifting those around him is something I deeply admire. He is also going to join Amazon after our MBA.

Thiago is just one example of an incredibly talented and resilient cohort, each with their own unique superpower. But beyond individual achievements, what truly set our class apart was the unwavering support and collaboration we showed one another. No matter the challenge, we lifted each other up—making this journey not just about personal growth, but about shared success.

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

1. Become a Chief Operations Officer (COO) Driving Sustainable & Impactful Operations:
I aspire to become a Chief Operations Officer who champions sustainable and efficient operations that not only drive business success but also improve people’s lives and contribute to economic development. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how well-designed operational strategies can create lasting impact—not just for companies, but for entire communities. My goal is to lead large-scale transformations that make businesses more sustainable, socially responsible, and operationally excellent, ensuring that progress benefits both organizations and the people they serve.

2. Found a Mentorship Program to Empower Young Brazilians from Vulnerable Backgrounds: Inspired by my classmate Terrell Galloway, who co-founded a mentorship program for the Black community in Pittsburgh, I want to create a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring young Brazilians from underprivileged backgrounds. This initiative would provide them with guidance, knowledge, and a strong support network to help them become professionals, entrepreneurs, and future leaders—ultimately breaking cycles of inequality. Coming from a humble family in a small city in the Brazilian countryside, I know firsthand how mentorship and access to opportunities can change lives. Having navigated my own journey into the professional world, I want to pay it forward by empowering the next generation in Brazil to reach their full potential.

What made (Student) such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Vinicius represents his home country of Brazil well – he smiles, laughs and greets you with a hug. That friendliness, along with his work ethic, has made a mark at the Tepper School. When Vinicius first got to the Tepper School, we set a goal to improve his English skills. He met with peer coaches over and over and took feedback well at each session. He then set a goal to get an internship at Amazon. He did mock interviews over and over. His pursuit for improvement was relentless. After finding success in reaching his goals, he dedicated his energy to helping others reach their goals as well. He coaches and tutors his fellow students in career and curricular subjects with his passionate energy that is always on display.  Being unafraid to face difficult challenges, he inspires his Tepper School classmates to make it happen.  We would love to have 10 more students like him every year.”

Tad Brinkerhoff
Assistant Dean, Tepper Masters Programs

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