Fueled by passions, Thunderbird at ASU grad uses entrepreneurial skills to fuel businesses, scale solutions
Juan Camilio Quintana. Photo courtesy of Thunderbird School of Global Management
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
For Juan Camilio Quintana, a Master of Global Management student Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management, the journey to Thunderbird from his native Bogotá, Colombia, has been one of growth, community, and a deepened commitment to leadership.
With a background as a student-athlete and aspirations of entrepreneurship, he felt that Thunderbird was the ideal place to develop the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact.
"I chose Thunderbird because of its global reputation and unique focus on creating global leaders who understand the nuances of cross-cultural communication and international business," he said.
As Quintana looks to graduate this fall, he is reminded of memories fostered with the Thunderbird community. One of particular note was the Latin America Pub Night this fall, one of the many evenings hosted by student clubs at the The Pub at Thunderbird.
“We were not expecting to have all of our Thunderbird family dancing the Latin beats for the whole night, laughing and having an unforgettable night. It was beautiful to share part of my culture with all my classmates from all over the world," Quintana shared. “Although Spanish is not a language everyone could speak, that night, everyone was singing as if we were all a Latin family."
A recipient of the Alumni Scholarship Fund, Quintana has also earned the Barton Kyle Yount Award, one of the highest honors achieved at Thunderbird. He hopes to utilize the skills he learned in and out of the classroom to create solutions to problems at the heart of his passions.
“My aim is to make a meaningful impact by merging my passion for sports, education and innovation. I am committed to making a difference in my home country, Colombia, by bringing transformative opportunities to underserved regions where resources are scarce. As a long-term goal, I aspire to contribute to the development and growth of the Latin American region, fostering progress and prosperity,” he said.
Below, Quintana shares more about his Thunderbird journey.
Note: Ansers may have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.
Question: What advice would you give to a student just starting a program at Thunderbird?
Answer: Embrace every opportunity to connect with your classmates, fellow T-birds and professors — they are some of the most inspiring individuals you’ll meet. Step out of your comfort zone, whether it’s in the classroom, at networking events or during international projects. And, most importantly, keep an open mind. Thunderbird is a place where your perspectives will be challenged and broadened in the best possible ways. Do not be shy, always be yourself, and be open to feedback to learn and improve every day.
Q: What motivates or inspires you?
A: I’m motivated by the idea of creating unique moments with my family, which are the engine of my life, creating opportunities for others and leaving a positive impact. Witnessing the success of individuals who have overcome challenges inspires me to push boundaries and work toward meaningful goals.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at Thunderbird?
A: Professor Glenn Edens taught me one of the most important lessons that has deeply impacted both my career and my life. He emphasized that disrupting the world doesn’t require genius, but rather the ability to identify where everything begins and ends — and to make it more efficient, cost effective and better. His wisdom and words will stay with me forever. His dedication to teaching us how to follow his extraordinary path and become better global leaders was truly inspiring. Rest in peace, Professor Edens; you are greatly missed, and I’m confident you are in a wonderful place, resting after your remarkable achievements.
Q: What’s something you learned while at Thunderbird — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: Something that forever changed my perspective was my experience during the Global Challenge Lab course, which took me on the longest and farthest journey of my life to Shanghai, China. This was a true real-world consulting scenario, where I had the opportunity to work within a completely different culture and corporate environment.
The experience was both challenging and rewarding, pushing me far beyond my comfort zone. Immersing myself in the fast-paced corporate world of Shanghai taught me invaluable skills and provided insights that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Q: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
A: For who I am right now, and the person I will become in the future as well. Coming from such an unequal and underdeveloped place, being here in the position I am is a privilege that has cost me and my parents sweat and tears, but (I'm) extremely grateful for our family teamwork we did and all the sacrifices we made to achieve this goal. ... I love you and miss you, Mom and Dad. We will leave a huge footprint in the world.
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