After a decade in Brazil’s food industry, agronomist Fabiana Alves and her husband, Andre Zeitlin, a veterinarian, were ready for new horizons. In 2004, Andre left his practice to enter the UC Davis MBA program, uprooting with Fabiana and their two young sons from São Paulo to Davis.

From world-class professors, to classmates who became team partners and close friends, to the unparalleled extracurricular activities, the UC Davis MBA program is an incredible experience–and has opened doors to some fascinating opportunities

-Fabiana Alves ‘08

When Zeitlin graduated, it was Alves’ turn. As an MBA student, she quickly became intrigued by issues of sustainability. An internship at Rabobank International allowed her to put her ideas into action evaluating client and loan applicants’ progress on corporate social responsibility goals.

That led to an offer to join Rabobank’s Rural Bank Division in São Paulo. “I’ll be helping clients improve their business practices, assuring both their sustainability and their financial health,” Alves explains.

And when Zeitlin’s U.S. employer, the MarkeTech Group, looked to expand its global footprint, he jumped at the opportunity to open a satellite in Brazil.

“We received an outstanding education at the Graduate School of Management and are looking forward to using our skills and knowledge to help our country move ahead,” Alves says.