Florentina Spinola

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“A Private Equity investor passionate about applying quantitative analysis to operational challenges.”

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have mastered the ability to sleep anywhere. No matter where I am, I can always fit in a quick nap.

Undergraduate School and Major: Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) – Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Infrastructure Investment Analyst at BlackRock

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Chicago Booth’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose Booth because of its flexible curriculum, which allows me to take courses across all concentrations. During my MBA, I aim to fully leverage these two years to develop and refine a broad set of skills, ranging from communication to problem-solving. I believe Booth offers the strongest program to help me achieve this by allowing me to tailor my learning experience and select the courses most relevant to my professional growth.

The Booth MBA is also known for being highly data-driven. Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How have you been able to leverage this approach in your career so far? 

During my time at BlackRock, I had the opportunity to work with a team that excelled at navigating uncertainty, consistently making strategic decisions and creating value in complex situations. This experience reinforced my understanding that quantitative analysis is essential for evaluating risks, shaping strategies, and mitigating potential downsides. Throughout my career, I have encountered many uncertain situations, and quantitative analysis has been the tool that encouraged me to act with confidence and make the best decisions possible with the information available. I intend to continue leveraging quantitative analysis as a foundation for understanding problems deeply and driving informed solutions.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago Booth? I am excited to join the Svinder Private Equity Program. Over the past five years, I have worked on infrastructure projects, and I am eager to expand my understanding of companies across other industries. I believe this program will not only broaden my industry knowledge but also provide valuable opportunities to connect with experienced investors and potential mentors in the field.

What has been your first impression of the Booth MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Tell us your best Booth story so far. Boothies are genuinely welcoming, going above-and-beyond to help others and embody a strong pay it forward culture. I was fortunate to visit the Harper Center before applying, and even more so because my visit coincided with the orientation week for the first-year students. From the moment I arrived, everyone was incredibly welcoming, they invited me to lunch, patiently answered all my questions, offered numerous recommendations for strengthening my application, and even invited me to a weekend outing to the lake. I will always appreciate the kindness they showed to a stranger, and I am inspired to pay it forward and support this welcoming community.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? When I was applying, I wanted to live in a city that would keep me close to private equity opportunities while also allowing me to pursue my hobbies and explore new activities. I am confident that Chicago fulfills both goals. As one of the largest cities in the U.S., it offers plenty of activities throughout the week and especially on weekends. Additionally, Chicago is home to numerous private equity firms, which I believe will be instrumental to my professional career.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most significant accomplishment has been co-leading the successful refinancing of one of our largest infrastructure projects, in collaboration with three major banks in Mexico. The project was burdened with unfavorable debt terms and declining revenues, which had pushed debt ratios below the minimum levels required by lenders. I played a key role in negotiating with lenders and structuring a new refinancing agreement. These efforts reinforced the project’s financial framework, consistently improved the debt coverage ratio, and significantly enhanced its long-term stability. To this day, the project continues to benefit from a stronger financial position and an increased valuation as a direct result of this strategic refinancing.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? Beyond the common advice to dive deep and clearly convey your story in the application, I strongly recommend connecting with Booth alumni. Before applying, I spoke with alumni and current students to better understand the community and assess if I would be a good fit. Early on, I noticed that alumni take great pride in being Boothies and actively encourage applicants to pursue the Booth experience. Even though I had not previously met most of the people I spoke with, they were extremely welcoming, patiently answered all my questions, and offered invaluable guidance to strengthen my application. Through these conversations, I gained first-hand insight into Booth’s supportive community and its strong culture of paying it forward.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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