Collage of HABSA students experience at Booth

Building Opportunity and Breaking Barriers with the Co-Chairs of HABSA

Check out our recent Q&A with HABSA co-chairs Sofia Douki and Kev Hernandez as they discuss how student group involvement elevated their MBA experience.

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Sofia was born in Washington, DC, and raised in the suburbs of Maryland. She is a first-generation American and first-generation college student with proud Salvadorian and Algerian roots.

Prior to pursuing an MBA, Sofia spent almost seven years in financial services, building a solid portfolio of experiences centered on quantitative analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and client relationship management.

At Booth, Sofia serves as co-chair of the Private Equity Group and the Hispanic American Business Students Association (HABSA). Her journey has been driven by a desire to continually break barriers and create opportunities for underrepresented communities in the realm of finance.  
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Kev was born and raised in the beautiful city of Miami, Florida, to Cuban immigrants. He was the first person in his family to graduate high school and had the wonderful opportunity to attend Williams College in 2013. After Williams, Kev spent two years with Teach For America while completing his Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins and then jumped into the EdTech space. After several years in the field, Kev realized that to achieve his long-term goal of starting his own to-and-through education consulting firm for minority students, he needed to master certain business skills and discovered the best place to do so was at Booth!

Why Chicago Booth? More specifically, what sold you on our Full-Time MBA Program?

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Sofia: I chose Chicago Booth for its quantitative rigor and flexible curriculum, which supports my goal of breaking into private equity investing post-MBA. Booth’s unique approach allows me to tailor my coursework to align with in-semester internships and ever-changing industry demands.

Equally important was the support I received from current students during my application process; they were genuinely invested in my success, facilitating introductions to relevant classmates and celebrating after my admission. This collaborative, pay-it-forward culture and Booth’s academic strengths made it the perfect place to further my career in finance.

What one word or phrase best describes your Booth experience thus far?

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Kev: Collaborative. From the moment I stepped onto campus, it was clear that Booth thrives on collaboration. Students, faculty, and staff all value diverse perspectives, and there’s a genuine eagerness to learn from one another. Whether in the classroom or during group projects, everyone brings their unique insights to the table, creating an environment where we collectively push each other to think bigger and deeper. This approach to learning has been exactly what I hoped for in a business school experience.

Why was joining the Hispanic American Business Student Association (HABSA) important to you?

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Sofia: Joining HABSA has provided me with an important source of community and serves as a conduit for professional development, networking, much needed cultural representation, and personal growth. It serves as a mechanism to uplift our community of Hispanic professionals in business. Furthermore, serving as co-chair, I strive to foster an environment where every member feels valued, supported and empowered—ensuring they thrive both personally and professionally.
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Kev: For me, joining HABSA was about finding a “home base” at Booth—a community where I could feel understood and supported. Coming from a Cuban-American background, it was important to connect with peers who shared similar experiences and values. HABSA has provided me with more than just friendships; it has given me a network of people who challenge and inspire me to step outside of my comfort zone and explore new opportunities. The relationships I’ve built through HABSA are ones I know will last long after my time at Booth!

We want to share with potential Booth students the kinds of events they have to look forward to. What’s been your favorite HASBA event?

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Kev: My favorite event was the winter gathering that HABSA hosted. A bunch of HABSA members got together to dance, eat some amazing Latin food, and enjoy each other’s company without worrying about exams/homework. I specifically remember thinking that I was only going to stay for an hour, which quickly turned into staying the whole night!

What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

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Sofia: National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor our ancestors, roots, and cultural heritage while celebrating the vibrant contributions of our community. It is a moment to reflect on the values and traditions passed down to us and helps us recognize the incredible impact our culture has on society.

This month serves as a reminder of our collective strength and resilience. Through celebration and reflection, we honor those who have paved the way by continuing to build on their legacy and give back to our community.

What has your heritage taught you? How do you remain connected to your heritage?

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Kev: My parents instilled in me the importance of community, and I try to live by that value by supporting other students who share similar backgrounds and/or experiences. Staying connected to my heritage is vital to me. I do this in small but meaningful ways, like regularly calling my parents, listening to Cuban music, attempting (and often failing) to dance salsa, and keeping up with political events that impact the Cuban-American community.

To learn more about the Hispanic American Business Student Association, their goals, and resources for prospective students, please visit their website.

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