NCGrowth welcomed a new group of 8 Analysts this fall from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan Flagler Business School. Analysts are graduate students hired for their previous experience and skills they can bring to bear on economic development projects with local government or technical assistance to growing businesses in North Carolina. Their work experience and interests ranges, but they all share a passion for sustainable economic development and entrepreneurship.
Andre is a first-year MBA student at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. He earned his bachelor of Business Administration at UFSC, a top 5 business school in Brazil. Immediately before beginning his MBA, he developed his own business in the textile industry working with custom-made products. Prior to that he worked to raise $350,000 and double his family’s manufacturing business. Andre has also volunteered time to the Commerce and Service Association of his hometown, taking part in the revitalization of the local commerce of the region.
Jaime Avila is a first-year MBA student at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. He went to ITESM Campus Monterrey for his undergraduate education and graduated with a degree in Economics in 2012. After graduating, Jaime worked in the real estate industry in Monterrey for Gava Capital, a private equity real estate fund. As a financial analyst for the firm, he worked in the acquisitions team, analyzing deals in all real estate asset classes. Jaime enjoys playing and watching sports, running, and swimming.
Amanda Bravo is a student in the Master of Business Administration program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Amanda is very passionate about economic development and is a true believer that business can and should be a powerful force for positive sustainable social change. After graduating from NCSU in 2012, Amanda worked for non-profit organizations in sustainable agriculture and public health; she has 5 years of fundraising and project management experience, providing support to country offices through the design, implementation and evaluation of projects. When not studying, Amanda enjoys swimming, traveling, and spending time with her family.
As an avid shopper, Cristina has always been fascinated by the intersection of marketing, consumer loyalty, and culture. Before business school, she worked in market research for 4 years at a custom research company MaritzCX. There, she conducted online survey programs designed to measure customer satisfaction to inform marketing and operations decisions. In creating analyses and data visualization, she helped Fortune 500 companies understand the gaps in their brand promise and customers’ needs and expectations. Her career aspiration is to utilize her past experience and her Kenan-Flagler MBA to contribute to the community by creating meaningful, engaging customer experiences, and driving a brand that empowers people.
Gabriel Rizo Patron is a first-year MBA student at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. He majored in Business Administration from a top Peruvian Business School in 2010. After graduating, Gabriel started his career at EY, where he worked as a consultant, helping clients in the financial services industry. Afterwards, he worked for a Start-up company as a Head of Finance and Administration. Finally, before coming back to school, he was Head of Financial Planning and Controlling for the biggest Healthcare company in Peru. Outside of work, Gabriel is a sports fanatic.
Jay O’Neal is an MBA candidate at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. He earned his bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University. Before business school, Jay served in the Marine Corps, where he drove tanks as well as supported the aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. Jay also worked as a district manager for Starbucks in downtown Brooklyn and a logistics manager at Target. He runs a mentoring program for middle school boys in Durham when he’s not studying and enjoys running and golfing.
Tyler James is a first-year MBA candidate at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. He grew up in Sanford, NC before attaining his B.S. from North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management in 2012 with a major in finance and minor in economics. Following completion of his undergraduate studies, Tyler spent time in a variety of banking and finance roles, including Credit Suisse’s investment bank and Barings, a global investment firm. Tyler enrolled in the MBA program to further develop his business acumen in hopes of pursuing a career in corporate strategy. Tyler grew up as an avid horseman, riding and competing event horses throughout the east coast and training out of Southern Pines, NC. In addition, Tyler serves as a UNC MBA Nonprofit Board Consultant for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation and enjoys playing tennis and learning woodworking in his spare time.
Ishaan is an MBA student at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. He has a strong interest in entrepreneurship and is passionate about driving impact through technology while making data-driven decisions. Before business school, Ishaan led field trials and developed smart solutions, taking them from ideation to prototype, at Cisco Systems and through his venture, Crafto. Through these experiences, he has garnered significant experience in commercializing innovation and transforming businesses using technology. His career aspiration is to utilize his past experience and the Kenan-Flagler MBA to drive business development and smart city development. Outside of work, he is an ardent soccer fan.