Jack Prommel

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“I’m an enthusiastic, goofy spirit who loves telling stories, lifting others up, and radiating optimism.”

Hometown: La Paz, Bolivia

Fun fact about yourself: I once created seven ice cream flavors, each dedicated to a deadly sin, and called them “Seven Deadly Creams.” My favorite was Pride: a honeycomb pineapple gelato.

Undergraduate School and Degree: West Virginia University, B.S. in Mining Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Accenture Federal Services

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Starbucks

Where will you be working after graduation? Starbucks

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• American Latinx Management Association – Communications and Marketing Chair
• FuquaVision – Editor and Co-Producer
• Daytime Class of 2026 Orientation Co-Chair

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m especially proud of being a co-lead of the Daytime Class of 2026 orientation, a three-day event that combined the energy of summer camp with a professional gathering. I teamed up with more than 60 stakeholders to schedule speakers from Duke and beyond while juggling a variety of spirited icebreakers and team challenges.

The biggest hurdle was asking nearly ten percent of my classmates to step away from their internships, right when they were finalizing key deliverables, to welcome the newcomers. True to the Team Fuqua style, they answered the call, and seeing the new students arrive with excitement in their eyes made every ounce of effort worth it. The entire experience reminded me how thrilling it is to unite people in pursuit of something bigger, and it was an honor to help kickstart this special chapter in their journey.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? When I was first promoted to a position that involved managing people, I wanted to do more than meet our business targets; I wanted to invest in my team’s growth. I put together a plan to help them learn new skills, spotlight their achievements, and position them for success long after I departed.

Within the first three months, each member received recognition for strong performance, and two years later, I’ve watched them take on greater challenges with confidence. Seeing them thrive has been the most rewarding part of my career, and I’m proud to have been part of their journey.

Why did you choose this business school? I was introduced to Duke by a close friend who went to Duke’s engineering school. After researching Fuqua, I found that Team Fuqua’s core values fit perfectly with my own. Community is at the heart of my life, and from the moment I landed in Durham for my interview, I felt like I was home.

I appreciated Fuqua’s commitment to doing business for good, promoted through centers such as the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) and the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE). Durham itself also exuded a welcoming vibe. The blend of shared values, supportive culture, and mission-driven outlook convinced me that Fuqua was the right place to grow both personally and professionally.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? When I first stepped into Professor David Brown’s Decision Models course, I had no idea it would become the one class I looked forward to the most. His engineering background was a refreshing departure from the typical business-first approach to classes, and his teaching blended technical topics with general life wisdom.

While the assignments were long, every late night spent poring over them felt worthwhile. I still find myself sharing the lessons with friends and colleagues. Some people shy away from the class because it’s very quant-focused, but to those people, I say: I found that the course pushes you to reflect on your decisions and measure them against what you want for your future more than anything else. For anyone going to Fuqua, I give this course a 10 out of 10 recommendation.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I arrived at Fuqua with a clear strategy: meet as many classmates as possible and build a personal brand, which I’m proud to say I accomplished! However, if I could do it again, I would carve out more time to experience the rest of Duke’s incredible community.

The Fuqua calendar tends to be jam-packed. While I dove headfirst into business school life, I realize now there were so many events, lectures, and groups beyond the business program that could have enriched my journey. Engaging with the broader university might have offered unexpected friendships and fresh perspectives.

What is the biggest myth about your school? I’d heard glowing reviews of Team Fuqua, but even those couldn’t fully prepare me for what I experienced. I felt the power of Team Fuqua before classes even began, when someone I’d only met once at Blue Devil Weekend (an event for admitted students) heard my grandmother had passed away and brought me a homemade basque cheesecake. That gesture showed me how deeply people at Fuqua care for one another.

Later, during my summer internship, I realized this level of empathy isn’t the norm everywhere. Fuquans are always ready to go above and beyond, even if you only share a passing connection. It all comes down to the character Fuqua looks for and cultivates, and I’m grateful to have been part of such a supportive community.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? I love that Durham feels like a cozy small town, which makes it easy to form tight bonds with my classmates. Most of us live in the same handful of buildings near campus, and I always run into people I know, which is comforting after coming from a bigger city.

There are just enough activities without being overwhelming, and Duke Gardens is a perfect example of the town’s charm. On a sunny day, it feels like a hidden paradise, complete with some of the most breathtaking trees I’ve ever seen. I also have to give credit to the Raleigh-Durham Airport, which is, in my opinion, the best airport in the country!

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? Believe it or not, The Good Place was the first TV show that came to mind when I read this question. (Spoiler alert if you haven’t watched it yet!)

In the show, people from vastly different backgrounds are paired together in what feels like an experiment, where everyone questions who they are, why they’re here, and whether they’re good enough. My biggest takeaway is that, ultimately, building community and deeper relationships is how we find a sense of purpose.

I’m glad I watched it before starting at Fuqua, because the idea of standing up and telling a story to persuade a third party (the judge) is something I’ve leaned on in business school. Also, shrimp is sometimes served at Fuqua Friday, though not from a shrimp dispenser.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Some professors encourage us to use AI tools to complete certain assignments, often openly discussing both the benefits and drawbacks. They reminded us that AI can be a powerful complement rather than a replacement for critical thinking, and they called us out when we relied on it too heavily.

Through this process, I learned to view AI as an augmentation tool and a valuable feedback mechanism, gaining a deeper understanding of how to harness its potential without losing my own analytical perspective.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire Pascual Perazzo because no matter what’s happening, he always greets the day with a smile and a joke. He’s remarkably tuned in to the world around him, yet he never loses sight of the human side of every challenge. One of my favorite memories is from our corporate finance class, where I scrambled to take notes on every single word while Pascual simply sipped his coffee, taking in everything the professor said without writing a thing. He’s taught me the importance of being flexible, staying open, and showing authenticity.

We spoke almost daily during our internships, supporting each other through tough moments and sharing our vulnerabilities. I’m convinced Pascual’s genuine heart and ability to quickly digest and teach new concepts will lead him to make a lasting impact wherever he goes.

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

1) I want to bring businesses and government agencies together to spark real growth in local communities.

2) I want to guide a struggling organization toward success, improving both its operations and the lives of the people it serves.

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

“Jack Prommel is exactly the kind of student who reminds you what a privilege it is to work in higher education. He was one of the first students that I met in November 2023 at a small lunchtime meeting, and he immediately made a positive impression on me. From that time forward, I would see Jack at countless events and programs, and he always asked me how I was doing and how he could help me, as I was new to Fuqua/Duke. I was struck by Jack’s empathy and sincerity in welcoming me to the Fuqua community.

Jack’s impact extended far beyond our individual conversations, and into a significant and visible leadership role. In the months ahead, Jack was selected to serve as one of the student Orientation co-chairs. This role was a massive undertaking in planning and executing an event that welcomed new Daytime MBA and Accelerated Daytime MBA students to Team Fuqua. From the moment this role began, Jack got to work! His strategic mindset, inclusive nature, adaptability, and deep sense of responsibility made an everlasting impact on Orientation. Jack’s background in consulting, strengths, and vast skill set made it possible for him to focus on both the overall vision and the finite details.

Jack worked tirelessly on Orientation alongside another co-chair and multiple team leads to mobilize the Orientation team. The logistics involved in planning this event for over 400+ students were a true puzzle, and Jack was unflappable in navigating every piece.

After the event concluded, Jack’s work was not done. He continued to care about assessing the event, reflecting on the experience, and documenting the event for future co-chairs.

I am honored to have worked with Jack, learned from Jack, and witnessed the impact of his efforts. He is such a deserving student to be recognized, and I cannot wait to see how he continues to shape the spaces that he enters beyond the Fuqua School of Business.”

Sarah Isham
Director of Student Life, Daytime MBA Program 

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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