Caio reflects on his experience learning and growing at Booth in and outside of the classroom and shares insight into the instant ROI of an EMBA from Booth.
- By
- February 27, 2026
- Executive MBA - Student Stories
Executive MBA Student Profile Meet Caio Furtado Borges, Executive MBA Student
Caio is a senior finance and strategy executive with 16 years of experience in FP&A, controllership, M&A, and corporate governance. He has led strategic planning and capital allocation in multinational groups across foreign trade, infrastructure, agribusiness, and beverages. He delivered over $20 million in recurring efficiency gains, chaired capex committees overseeing $1.7 billion annually, and structured initiatives that increased dividend capacity by $100 million. He has experience in listed companies, private equity, and a U.S. pension fund environment, and served as Interim CFO at a large agribusiness company, also leading the finance function of a 1,400-employee infrastructure platform. Caio also runs a personal startup project called Be Little Bull, which focuses on providing financial education to children.
For Caio, balancing his career with Chicago Booth’s Sokolov Executive MBA Program has definitely been challenging but manageable. The key to success for Caio has been planning ahead and being very transparent with his company about periods when he expects to be away for classes. With this level of alignment, it’s been possible for Caio to have an MBA work-life balance. In his case, the London campus format worked especially well, since classes are held weekly over one month. That structure made a big difference for Caio and it helped him to stay fully engaged at work, while still getting the most out of the program.
Caio’s Why Booth Story and What Stood Out About Chicago Booth’s EMBA Program
I chose Chicago Booth because of its global prestige and strong influence. The school has an excellent reputation in areas closely connected to my background and interests, especially finance and economics, which was a key factor in my decision.
What truly sold me on the Executive MBA Program was Booth’s unique culture, particularly its curricular flexibility and strong focus on critical thinking. In addition, the global structure of the program, with three campuses around the world following the same core curriculum across quarters, creates a unique opportunity to connect with exceptional people from different cultures and backgrounds. The ability to shape the learning experience, for example during the elective weeks, where you can choose classes aligned with your professional goals and personal interests, clearly set Booth apart. Combined with the program’s academic rigor, this made Booth the right fit for me.
Caio’s Why Booth Story and What Stood Out About Chicago Booth’s EMBA Program
Advice on Pursuing Executive MBA Program
- My main piece of advice is to be very clear about your goals and what you want to get out of the program. Booth’s Executive MBA is demanding, both professionally and personally, so planning ahead and aligning expectations with your employer and family is essential. At the same time, I would encourage candidates to stay open minded. Some of the most valuable learnings come from classes or discussions that are outside your comfort zone. If you engage actively with your classmates and fully use the flexibility of the curriculum, the program can be truly transformative.
- For prospective candidates also from Brazil and nearby countries, my advice is to prepare early for the logistics and time commitment, especially travel and work planning. Clear communication with your company makes a big difference. I would also encourage individuals to fully embrace the global nature of the program. The exposure to different cultures, perspectives, and business realities is one of Booth’s greatest strengths and adds significant value for professionals coming from our region.
Instant ROI of MBA Curriculum at Chicago Booth
So far, the classes I have enjoyed the most have been those related to finance and economics, as they connect closely with my background and professional interests. Rather than having a single favorite class, I have appreciated how these courses deepen my understanding and challenge me to think more rigorously about complex financial and economic decisions.
That said, the courses that have been most beneficial for my career development have actually been those that pushed me into unfamiliar areas (e.g. marketing). These classes added the most value because they exposed me to perspectives and frameworks I had not experienced in my professional journey.
Instant ROI of MBA Curriculum at Chicago Booth
Key Benefits of Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth
One of the key benefits I have gained so far is a much more structured and disciplined way of thinking about business problems. The program has helped me slow down, challenge my own assumptions, and make decisions based on clearer frameworks rather than intuition alone. This has been especially valuable in my current role, where strategic and financial decisions have long term impact.
Another important insight has come from the people in the program. Learning alongside classmates with very different backgrounds, industries, and cultural perspectives has pushed me to see problems from angles I would not naturally consider. For me, this exchange of ideas, combined with the strong analytical focus of the program, has helped me grow not only as an executive, but also as a more thoughtful and balanced decision maker.
Key Benefits of Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth
Fun Facts About Caio
- One of his favorite hobbies is gaming. While he finds it relaxing, he also appreciates that it often demands strategy, problem-solving, and competition.
- As a Brazilian, Caio is a passionate football (soccer) fan and a Corinthians supporter, which is an important part of his cultural identity.
- Another hobby Caio really enjoys is music. He played bass in a rock band for ~10 years, which was a very important experience for him. Today, Caio and his wife often go together to rock concerts and large rock music festivals!
- Lastly, Caio is deeply grateful to his wife, Sílvia, whose support has been essential throughout his Executive MBA Program experience at Booth.
We hope Caio’s story puts into perspective the feasibility and value of pursuing an Executive MBA at Booth while working in a high-level executive position. To learn more about Booth and how we can also support you in reaching your professional goals, we encourage you to connect with us for more information.
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