Gregorio Montefameglio            

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

“An energetic, self-ironic randomness seeker for whom change is the only constant in life.”

Hometown: Bologna, Italy

Fun Fact About Yourself: I found a baby abandoned in a bush in a Copenhagen park in 2019. She’s now thriving and living her best life with her adoptive parents!

Undergraduate School and Major:

Copenhagen Business School (Master of Science in International Business)

University of Bologna (Bachelor of Business Administration)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: DICE.FM – Business Development Manager

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Cornell’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The main reason I chose Cornell is the “One Johnson” mentality—by that, I specifically refer to the collaborative spirit that drives first-years, second-years, and alumni – ultimately leading to successful careers and high job placement rates in competitive markets. This system truly resonated with how I wanted to approach the MBA, and it felt like a major advantage. The small class size helps foster this mentality by creating an intimate environment and enabling stronger bonds with classmates.

What excites you the most about living in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region? Ithaca excites me because nature is abundant and there’s plenty to do outdoors! It dominates both the town and the surrounding areas, making it easier to focus on studying and recruiting. I knew such an environment would be beneficial for my future. At the same time, it offers a great variety of entertainment, just think of all the wineries around Cayuga and Seneca Lake; some of them are stunning. I recently visited Buttonwood Grove with a friend, and I couldn’t believe my eyes or my taste buds! I really enjoyed their 2022 Chardonnay, as well as the “Big Red” wine they brewed in collaboration with Cornell’s Agricultural Department. Beyond wineries, the number of outdoor opportunities—like hikes and water activities—is impressive. I can’t wait to see how it will look during autumn; it’s supposed to be magical!

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Cornell? I am super excited to join the Johnson Consulting Club as I am aiming to pivot towards consulting. The club’s resources and experience will prove crucial throughout the whole process, and case sparring with my mates will help me build the toolkit and develop the right mindset for the recruiting season. Besides JCC, I’d love to deepen my real estate knowledge too, and Cornell SC Johnson College of Business is very well-positioned to do that thanks to its clubs and its expertise in the field.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? My background spans experiences within many industries, functions and countries, making my profile diverse and versatile. I believe these skills will allow me to quickly adjust to the MBA dynamics. This will enable me to significantly contribute towards a wide range of class topics with valuable insights throughout the whole course.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far? It would be my company Maze, the business I launched in 2022: an open-air rooftop venue, events production company and record label based in Bologna, Italy. In a relatively short time, we’ve managed to generate revenues in hundreds of thousands of euros in a small city like Bologna, secure buy-ins from over 50 artists, and sell thousands of tickets each season — all while working full time for my former employer, DICE, with whom Maze still has a commercial agreement.

Directly employing and managing 3 direct and 26 indirect reports taught me almost everything I know about leadership — an incredibly valuable learning and fulfilling experience.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? There are many variables that will contribute to how I evaluate the outcome of the MBA experience two years from now. The first is quite straightforward, and it’s about whether I will have secured the offer I’m targeting to advance my career.

Next, I’ll look at the solid friendships and relationships that I will have built and that will last for quite some time, hopefully enriching me from a cultural point of view. I hope to have gained a renewed understanding of myself throughout the journey, while growing my awareness of functions, industries, and processes I have yet to encounter.

Finally, I will reflect on whether I was able to give back to my classmates and future students by sharing some of the knowledge and support I have received. Making a positive impact will be crucial to the success of this program, fully embracing the “One Johnson” mentality.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.