Camila Alves Guilarducci

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University

“A passionate and curious woman who isn’t afraid to take chances in life!”

Hometown: Santos Dumont, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Fun Fact About Yourself: After visiting Cornell for the first time and exploring the town, meeting current students, and stopping in other U.S. cities, our final stop was Las Vegas for our best friends’ wedding. At the end of the trip, my husband and I called our families and let them know we decided to go ahead and get married at the iconic Graceland Wedding Chapel. It was truly unforgettable!

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Siemens, Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Aside from your classmates, what was the main reason that drew you to Cornell’s MBA program and why was it so significant to you? As someone seeking to pivot in my career, I’m eager to start the Consulting Immersion led by Professor Chris Bordoni, whose distinctive approach and broad experience in the field truly stand out. In addition, Johnson’s STEM-designated program, along with the strong support and mentorship from alumni and current students, confirmed my decision to choose Cornell Johnson as the ideal school to enhance my skills and accelerate my professional growth. I believe this experience will offer the preparation I need to land a successful internship and full-time position.

What excites you the most about living in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region? I fell in love with Ithaca’s unique blend of college-town charm and stunning natural landscapes. The people are incredibly welcoming, and you can truly feel the sense of a close-knit community all around you. What took my breath away was the view from Libe Slope. I can already picture myself relaxing there at sunset and reading a good book. I’m also looking forward to winter and plan to go skiing with friends. I’d also love to spend time at Cayuga Lake and explore the local wine trail and visit some of the best vineyards in the area.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Cornell? I’m excited about the meaningful work of the Johnson Consulting Club in supporting students on their journey toward a career in consulting. I’m also looking forward to the social side of the experience, especially at events like Sage Socials on Thursdays, which offer a fun and well-deserved break with friends after a week of studying and recruitment activities. As a Brazilian, I would be proud to serve as an ambassador alongside my fellow Latin peers through the Latin American Business Association (LABA), sharing the richness of our culture and fun events with the Johnson class.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? My experience in human resources has brought out the best in me when it comes to empathy, teamwork, and supporting others in their growth. So, as a second-year student, I intend to support the Admissions office by assisting with prospective student interviews, using both my recruitment experience and the understanding of Cornell Johnson’s ideal candidate profile. I also hope to enhance the first-year experience at the Johnson Consulting Club by supporting students in their recruitment preparation.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Working closely with C-level and stakeholders for the integration of seven M&A’s taught me to succeed in dynamic and complex scenarios that demanded quick decision-making, skillful team design, and challenges around the topic of culture. Thanks to my strong communication and interpersonal skills, along with a good understanding of core business processes, I was selected to lead the entire Leadership Development Program and to build the company’s first-ever Succession Plan Project from scratch, which impacted approximately 100 key positions.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? My MBA will be successful if I graduate from Cornell Johnson, having truly embraced and making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I want to learn from my classmates and faculty, support others in their career journeys, and build lifelong friendships. I hope to secure a full-time offer at a management consulting firm, fulfilling my post-MBA career aspirations and becoming the kind of leader who inspires other women to confidently pursue their dream jobs as well.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2027: STUDENTS TODAY, LEADERS TOMORROW, INNOVATORS ALWAYS

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