Gabriel Villarreal

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“Optimist who wants to make a difference in the world.”

Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was part of a rock band in college.

Undergraduate School and Major: Tec de Monterrey, Finance and Accounting

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Associate at EY-Parthenon

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the Wharton School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What pulled me towards Wharton was its diversity in course and resource offering. The program allows you to have a personalized MBA experience, tailored to your specific career goals. Also, with its large class, it offers a unique opportunity to expand your network and meet people from all over the world.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? I am very excited to participate in a Leadership Venture. Either going to Antarctica or Patagonia, or sailing at open sea, I am sure it will be a transformative experience. I am also looking forward to explore the diverse curriculum and participate in clubs that mix athletics, industry, and culture.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Drive. From day one, I have met many extraordinary peers at Wharton, each with an impressive track record and a strong determination to make an impact in their careers.

What makes Philadelphia a great place to earn an MBA? Philadelphia feels like the perfect balance. It is a big city with history, food, and culture that keep life exciting, but it also has an accessible, community feel that makes it easy to connect with classmates. The city is more affordable than other large MBA hubs, which lets you focus on school without constant distraction. At the same time, its location near New York and Washington, D.C. keeps you close to global opportunities.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I am proud of being the first hire in EY-Parthenon’s Monterrey office and contributing to building it from the ground up. Over my time there, I worked on more than fifteen projects across industries, while also shaping the culture of a new team. I am also honored to have received a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue my MBA.

What is your biggest passion – and how has it helped you make an impact? I want for my career to have a positive impact in the world. I believe business can be one of the strongest forces for change, and that every decision has the potential to affect people’s lives. I hope that through my professional career I can one day accomplish this and use my work to create opportunities and positive outcomes for others.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I want to leverage Wharton’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation resources to explore career opportunities in that space.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? Be yourself in the application. There is no secret recipe to a successful admission. The best thing you can do is be authentic. Think of the ways Wharton can help you achieve your goals and how you could contribute to creating a better Wharton community.

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