Felipe Quaassdorff
My story begins in the streets of Santiago, Chile. From a young age, I had an entrepreneurial and financial spirit. My first ventures weren’t boardrooms, but they were steppingstones – some of them included importing unique toys/gadgets and selling them online, tutoring math for middle and high school students, and even working as a TV extra for commercials (though my moment of fame was participating on the Chilean version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? ended short of the grand prize, it was a thrilling experience!) These diverse experiences fostered my business acumen and ambition from a young age. I learned the value of saving, diligently putting money aside for different goals, and even dipped my toes into the world of investing early on.
One day, wandering through the Chilean financial district with its skyscrapers, I told my mom that my dream was to work in this neighborhood, looking sharp in a suit every day (a strange desire for a teenager, I think). This aspiration and my love for doing business fueled my decision to study business and economics at Universidad de Chile. Graduation landed me a role in Investment Research at Citi/Banchile (fulfilling that dream, though the daily suits proved less comfortable than imagined). There, I delved into the dynamic world of financial markets. In the meantime, I embarked on the CFA program (hours of sleep became a luxury). This dedication paid off, leading to the role of Portfolio Manager for a well-recognized Chilean financial institution. Crafting investment strategies, managing portfolios, and interacting with clients – the ever-shifting market kept me on my toes, constantly learning and adapting to new scenarios. It also taught me a valuable lesson: humility. In this industry, you often encounter differing investment perspectives, but embracing these diverse viewpoints, learning from other experts, and being aware that you will always make mistakes (and being humble enough to recognize that fact) are crucial skills.
Love, as fate would have it, had other plans. When my wife got a job in the US, it was time for a new chapter. Language barriers aside, I saw this as an exciting opportunity for professional and personal growth. Earning an MBA had always been a dream, and after extensive research, WashU emerged as the perfect fit because of the program’s exceptional faculty and curriculum, vast alumni network, and diverse cohort.
Currently, my internship at Colibri Group, a high-growth online education company, allows me to bridge my WashU learnings with my financial skills. Working alongside a fantastic team, I’m witnessing how the FP&A area creates value and propels the company’s success, making this opportunity an enriching experience so far.
Curiosity has always driven me to explore new hobbies or activities. Mastering new computer skills, while I’m always open to expanding my horizons with gardening or culinary adventures (perhaps a millennial trait?). Whether it’s finding peace in yoga and mindfulness sessions, going for a morning hiking, exploring Forest Park’s trails by bike, or a quick gym session followed by a relaxing sauna – I am always open to new activities that nourish my social life, maintain a peaceful mind or a healthy lifestyle. However, my true passions lie in catching waves (future surf trips are a must!) and the friendly competition of Padel (always looking for new players in town!).
So, that’s a piece of my world. See me around campus? Don’t hesitate to chat, and let’s connect!
