Guilherme Junqueira, MBA ’20, is a part of the Corporate Strategy & Development group of Bimbo Bakeries USA, the largest baking goods company in the United States. He is also the founder and current leader of our alumni chapter in Philadelphia. We spoke with Guilherme about his time at McCombs, where his career has taken him, and how the alumni network has benefited his life.

Please talk about your experience as a student here at McCombs. 

I did a road trip in 2017 to visit the business schools that I was applying to, and McCombs had been the most welcoming one. Current students really made an effort to help me learn more about the MBA program, and gave me a warm reception at the Think N Drink (weekly gathering for MBA students). So, when I got an admission offer, it was an easy choice to accept it. During my time in the MBA program, I was a Fellow at the Center for Leadership & Ethics, the Treasurer of the Food & Beverage Innovation Club, a member in the McCombs Ambassador’s Committee, and a Teaching Assistant for the Finance Department. It’s hard to pick a single favorite professor, so I will provide a short list: Clemens Sialm, Laura Starks, Andres Almazan, Gregor Matvos, Ethan Burris, Raj Raghunathan, Brian White, Patrick Badolato, Julia Coronado, and Melissa Graebner.

How did your educational experience change you?

It provided me with a whole new perspective about my career, and definitely opened doors for new opportunities. Post-MBA, I made a career transition in terms of industry, function, and geography. It provided me with the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s most regarded experts in their fields, and to develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

Please provide a brief summary of your career path since graduating.

Post-MBA, I joined the Corporate Strategy & Development group of Bimbo Bakeries USA, the largest baking goods company in the United States, with brands like Sara Lee Bread, Entenmann’s, and Thomas’ English Muffins. I just completed my first year at Bimbo and have had great learning and professional growth so far.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

I am very proud to have led projects that generated significant business impact across different sectors, chemicals and consumer packaged goods, different functions, product management and corporate strategy, and different geographies, Brazil, and United States. I am so grateful to have had amazing mentors – it would be very hard to have achieved all of this without the great mentorship I got from people such as my former bosses at Oxiteno, friends, and McCombs Professors.

Has your career played out the way you expected?

On a high-level yes, but there are always some things that don’t go as I initially expected. It’s important to constantly work on developing emotional intelligence to be prepared for those situations. McCombs also provided great help on that front throughout the Center for Leadership & Ethics and Professor Raj Raghunathan’s course on Happiness.

How have you stayed involved with the school as an alumnus?

I founded an alumni chapter in Philadelphia, which currently has over fifty members. We have organized seven local events so far. I really enjoy being connected with the McCombs network through those events, conversations with my former classmates, and with other alumni chapter leaders. I also frequently speak with former professors and with MBA admissions. I conducted MBA admissions interviews in the last couple of years and intend to continue helping on that.

How have you personally benefited from being a part of the network?

During my time in the MBA program, alumni provided invaluable advice and help. With their support, I learned more about different industries and functions, and I own them some of success in recruiting. I reached out to over 100 alumni during the MBA and had dozens of in-person and virtual conversations. The McCombs and UT Austin networks are powerful.

Any other hobbies or tidbits you’d like to share?

I like to practice sports (tennis, biking, running, skiing), travel, and taste new beers and coffees. Really enjoy road trips, and always look for the best coffee shop and local brewery in town.

Click here to learn more about the McCombs Philadelphia Alumni Chapter on LinkedIn.