Juan Gonzales Cubillos

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia 

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Kentucky, Mechanical Engineer. 

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Betterfly, a Chilean unicorn tech firm – Product Manager. 

Fun Fact About Yourself 

I started racing go-karts when I was five. At nine, I became national champion in Colombia, and at eleven I came to Italy for the first time to race in the world championships. I competed against drivers who later went on to race in IndyCar and even test for Ferrari. Motorsport has been a huge part of my life and one of the reasons Italy has always felt special to me. 

What makes Milan such a great place to earn an MBA? 

Milan brings together many layers at once. You can walk through the city and see Roman ruins, Spanish influences, and Renaissance details, all while being in the business and industrial heart of Italy. Fashion, design, finance, and manufacturing coexist in a way that feels very natural. 

Having lived in cities like Bogotá, Santiago, and in the U.S., Milan stands out as one of the most international places I’ve experienced, while still feeling deeply Italian. It’s walkable, well connected, and full of energy. It’s a city where it’s easy to stay curious and engaged, both inside and outside the classroom. 

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of SDA Bocconi’s MBA curriculum and programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? 

My background is in mechanical engineering, and while that gave me strong technical skills, it left gaps when it came to finance and business. I wanted to be in an environment where I could really complement what I already knew. 

SDA Bocconi stood out for its strength in finance and its international reputation, but also for the way it frames the role of business. I strongly believe companies should create value not only for shareholders, but also for employees, communities, and society more broadly. That idea of impact, paired with strong technical foundations, was a big part of my decision. 

What course, club or activity excites you the most at SDA Bocconi? 

One of the most meaningful experiences so far was the visit to Lamborghini. It connected directly to my childhood memories of coming to Italy for racing with my dad. I remember being eleven, driving on the highway, turning off the music just to listen to a Lamborghini pass by. 

Standing inside the company years later, now as an MBA student, felt surreal. It made me realize how decisions and moments from childhood can shape where you end up. The ski weekend was another highlight. Being in the mountains with classmates, falling a few times, laughing, and just enjoying the moment helped me really appreciate the experience we’re living. 

The Bocconi MBA is known for striking a balance between core business knowledge and skills that emphasize vision, judgment, and innovation. What area do you hope to strengthen during your year of business school and why? 

The main area I want to strengthen is financial and business acumen. Understanding balance sheets, financial structures, and the logic behind business decisions is still relatively new for me, and I want to become confident in that space. 

At the same time, being in Italy has taught me a lot about quality, tradition, and attention to detail. Whether it’s food, design, or manufacturing, there’s a deep respect for how things are made. That mindset has influenced the way I now think about building businesses that last. 

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026?

I genuinely enjoy bringing people together. Whether it’s through sports, cooking at my place, or simply spending time talking, I like creating moments where people can connect naturally. It makes the experience more enjoyable and, honestly, more human. 

The Bocconi MBA is also known for its strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. How does the program’s focus on STEM insights and mindful leadership appeal to you? 

My engineering background shapes how I approach problems. I like structure, logic, and systems. The MBA adds another layer by giving me financial and managerial tools to turn ideas into reality. 

For me, leadership goes far beyond numbers. We live in a world that often glorifies work at all costs, where people sacrifice personal life and well-being in the name of growth. I believe leadership today requires a different mindset. How do you build companies where people can perform at their best without burning out? How do you grow a business while taking responsibility for its impact on employees and society? 

What I value at SDA Bocconi is that these questions are openly discussed, while still giving you the technical knowledge needed to act on them. Without that knowledge, values remain abstract. With it, they can actually turn into decisions and action. 

When you think of SDA Bocconi, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? 

Competition. Being surrounded by people who are driven and talented constantly pushes you to improve. At the beginning, it can feel overwhelming, because everyone seems to have done incredible things. 

Very quickly, though, you realize it’s not about competing with others. It becomes a personal challenge. You start asking yourself how to get better, how to learn from your classmates, and how to push your own limits. I find that environment incredibly motivating. 

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far. 

Joining Betterfly at a very early stage was one of the most formative experiences of my career. I was the first hire in the operations team and grew with the company as it expanded from Chile to multiple countries across Latin America. Over time, it became the third unicorn in Chile, growing from 20 people to more than 600 across nine countries and raising over $200 million. 

Being part of that journey taught me what it really means to build something from the ground up. It also helped me understand what kind of entrepreneur I want to be and what I don’t want to replicate. 

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into SDA Bocconi’s MBA program? 

Curiosity played a big role in my application. Before applying, I spent time understanding the School, the professors, and the broader context I was stepping into. I read articles, followed what was happening in Italy, and tried to understand how this place actually works, not just what it looks like from the outside. 

That process made me much more confident in my choice. My advice would be to do the same. Take the time to understand why a school makes sense for you. If that curiosity is genuine, it naturally comes through. 

 

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