Matthew Mundorf

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“Passionate and driven California native, proven leader and problem-solver motivated by continual learning and growth.”

Hometown: San Luis Obispo, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve navigated over 200,000 nautical miles on 600-foot or larger merchant vessels, mostly transporting and transferring fuel for the U.S. Navy.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Merchant Marine Academy, Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, Logistics and Security

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: 2nd Officer at Crowley Maritime Corporation and Lieutenant at United States Navy Reserve

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? In terms of the UNC Kenan-Flagler curriculum, I am particularly excited about the Finance Development Program, where I will gain investment banking career preparation with Professor Scott Rostan and the Training the Street team. Second-year students I spoke with, who are also pursuing finance industry roles, described the unique benefits of UNC Kenan-Flagler’s alliance with Training the Street. This is particularly true during the MOD IV pre-internship course, where job-specific skills in Excel modeling and PowerPoint pitches are developed. I view this course offering as an unparalleled opportunity to prepare for my summer internship, where the knowledge and skills gained will allow me to perform my best and be an asset to the teams I will be working with.

What are some advantages you’ve seen in earning your MBA in Chapel Hill? Chapel Hill is an amazing community, both in the proximity to beaches and mountains that remind me of growing up on the Central Coast of California and in the pride that locals take in the school. Throughout the town, there is Carolina Blue almost everywhere you look, and this enthusiasm instills an unmistakable sense of camaraderie that I most appreciated about my career in the Merchant Marine and the U.S. Navy Reserve.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagler? As a former college athlete who now seeks the competition offered through rec league sports, I’ve been committed to my training for the famed Blue Cup. The rivalry between UNC Kenan-Flagler and our neighbors at Duke Fuqua culminates during this event. While I hope to connect with fellow MBA students in friendly competition, I’m most excited about playing my part in helping UNC Kenan-Flagler take home the trophy.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I feel most proud of my time serving in the Merchant Marine as Second Officer during the defueling of Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility in Honolulu, Hawaii. This U.S. Navy-operated depot contained 2 million barrels of World War II era jet and diesel fuels, which had been buried underground for 80 years. In 2021, the fuel began leaking into local water supplies, contaminating drinking water for 93,000 Hawaiian residents. To address this crisis, my crew and I transported over 1.2 million barrels of fuel from the old, compromised tanks to a new facility in a 30-day period. The success of this task can be attributed to the teamwork shown by each member of my vessels crew during the complex operation, and I feel fortunate to have contributed as a cargo and navigation officer.

Describe the best memory of your life so far? Why does that moment resonate with you? The best memory I’ve had comes from a spontaneous decision to solo travel in Egypt. I joined a group of fellow solo travelers and, while in Luxor, arranged a dinner at the home of an Egyptian family. During our visit, a young boy took me on a tour around town on his donkey. He showed me how Egyptian homes are built with clay blocks, how each day the men collect crops and the women bake bread, and how the community works together to keep each other afloat. I was inspired by witnessing the appreciation the Egyptian people have for every aspect of daily life, and how travelers from across the world are treated as family. This experience built on my respect for other cultures, expanded my comfort zones, and served as a lesson to always remain curious.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I hope to earn an investment banking associate role. Finance has been a long-time passion of mine and an industry I’ve had the goal of joining. I look forward to the positive impact I will be able to make on businesses and individuals while working my way up from this position.

DON’T MISS: MEET NORTH CAROLINA KENAN-FLAGLER’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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