Austin Regalado, Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: Miami, FL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Chicago – Economics (Magna Cum Laude)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Google – HR Operations Program Manager (2020 to 2024). Responsibilities: Responsible for three globally distributed vendor teams resolving 40,000 cases annually across unemployment, recognition compensation, and employment data verification verticals, exceeding SLA and CSAT targets. Consulted with senior leadership across HR, Eng, Security, and Legal during global company restructurings to develop and implement workforce communications, offboarding support resources, and automated tracking of exit packet completion.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I made the decision to apply for business school in the summer of my junior year of college, during my internship at Google. My mentor at the time asked, “Well you know what your next step is, but how about the next-next-step?” And so, I began to search for that next-next-step, ultimately deciding that I wanted to be a leader who makes a difference in the world, and that Harvard Business School was the best place to do that. I knew I wanted to spend a few years at Google, so the flexibility of 2+2 program meant that I could decide to defer for up to four years. After a thrilling time in HR, having dealt first-hand with the challenges and opportunities facing tech’s massive reorganization, I felt more prepared than ever to make the transition, double down on my management skills, and accelerate my career.
Why did you choose HBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The academic rigor of HBS was a major selling point for me. UChicago is jokingly referred to as “where fun goes to die,” so I wanted to match that same challenge in my graduate studies. HBS offered this to me through the case method, which constantly keeps me on my toes as an electrifyingly intense experience.
Another important factor was social life and student body. HBS is known for its numerous student organizations, its inclusion of partners in the school experience, and for its aura of kindness. At HBS, I knew that I could be my authentic self and feel welcomed.
A final deciding factor was the strong alumni network. HBS graduates not only hold impactful positions, but they are helpful as well. If I truly want to make a difference in the world, I need an international group of intelligent and reliable friends to help make it happen.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
As one of the few students with a background in HR operations, including unemployment benefits, I can often speak about the tangible human impact and cultural ramifications of proposed case decisions. Too often, people can become focused on cost reductions without discussing the rollout and implementation of those recommendations. In the classroom, I can provide clarity on what this looks like on the ground and leverage my experience to help classmates see all sides of an issue.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application
As the grandson of Cuban refugees, I am the first Regalado to attend Harvard Business School. My grandparents fled Castro’s regime to begin a new life in the states. The struggles they faced soon became testaments to our resilience, and the investment they made to settle in America will continue to pay off as I seek to excel in my academic and professional career. Hopefully, I am not the last Regalado at HBS.
Post-MBA career interests:
I would like to expand my holistic business tool kit, so I am pursuing a career in consulting, specifically at BCG in Miami. Beyond this, my next-next-step is to either become an executive (COO, CEO) or own a firm. I am industry-agnostic for now as I want to be an effective general manager, but future avenues of interest are entrepreneurship-through-acquisition, commercial real estate in Miami, and B2B SAAS.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely reach out to my school’s advisors again. They were crucial to helping me form my personal narrative and nail the interview. They constantly challenged me to think deeper about my goals and intentions, allowing me to filter the best responses and get to the heart of my words.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would take a deeper breath and pause. During the application period, I stressed heavily about my GMAT scores and constantly doubted my aptitude. If you have time to worry about something, you have time to work on it. And taking a moment for self-care is work in and of itself.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would skip the part of having to prove myself to my peers. When I mentioned my plans, I received a lot of negative comments and folks doubted my potential. My professors and advisors were some of the only folks who believed in me, and I now realize that others doubted me because they ultimately doubted themselves. Unwarranted criticism is often just masking insecurity.
What is your initial impression of the HBS students/culture/community?
I am reminded of the Boy Scouts of America’s Scout Law, replacing “Scout” with “the HBS community”: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
What is one thing you have learned about HBS that has surprised you?
There is a thriving community of faith at the school. Our Class of 1959 Chapel hosts weekly Sunday-service at night for Catholics, and every Monday-Wednesday, the Christian Fellowship has bible studies in the dorm lounges. This has been a great opportunity to get in touch with my own faith and make some great friends.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
FOMO was invented at HBS, and I am feeling it to the highest degree. There is no way to do everything, so the most anxiety I have had is deciding between competing events of equal interest. I eventually calm myself down by remembering there is a whole second year when I can attend even more events.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about finding out my international location for our capstone class. My top choice is Seoul in South Korea, but all the other locations are so enticing as well. This class will serve as the summation and celebration of our first year of school, so it is sure to be incredibly memorable no matter where I go.
