Jose Badillo
Jose Badillo, Full-Time MBA Class of 2026
Real Estate Club President | Summer Associate, Development Team at Welltower 
Where did you land your internship or full-time role?
Interned at Welltower as a Summer Associate on the Development Team
Briefly describe your experience in landing this role. What challenges did you overcome?
My experience with Welltower began when their team visited Kenan-Flagler. From the outset, they were incredibly open and generous with their time, which gave me the chance to learn not just about the company, but also the culture and perspective of their development team. On my side, I leaned into the learning I had gained in the MBA program to ensure I was prepared for the interview process. At the same time, I drew on my project management background at CBRE to demonstrate how I could contribute immediately. Balancing new technical skills with prior real estate experience gave me the confidence to approach the process with clarity and conviction.
How did UNC, Kenan-Flagler Business School, the MBA program, or MBA Career Services help you secure this opportunity?
The Wood Center played a pivotal role by creating direct access to the industry. They brought in leaders like Gary Chesson for one-on-one conversations and facilitated company presentations and coffee chats that expanded my perspective on the real estate landscape. The Real Estate Club complemented that experience by helping me build fluency in industry terminology and professional etiquette, creating a strong foundation for the recruiting process. Together, they gave me both the exposure and the preparation I needed to succeed.
What are your long-term career goals?
Long term, my goal is to lead transformative real estate developments that shape communities and improve the way people live. I hope to build on my foundation in project management and investment strategy by continuing to grow with leading development firms, and eventually, I aspire to launch my own platform. My focus is on BTR/multifamily communities and mixed-use across growing markets in the Southeast. I am driven by the belief that thoughtful development can strengthen communities, create opportunity, and leave a lasting legacy.
What’s one lesson or insight you hope every MBA student takes with them after graduation?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of leaning into humility, curiosity, and authenticity. In business school, you’re surrounded by brilliant peers and exposed to new challenges every day. Growth comes from asking questions, sharing knowledge, and showing up as your genuine self. If there’s one insight I hope every MBA carries forward, it’s that leaning into who you are, not who you think you need to be, is where real momentum begins.
Can you share a moment or success story that’s stuck with you during your time in the program?
Stepping into the role of Real Estate Club President has been one of the most meaningful parts of my MBA experience. What’s stayed with me isn’t any single event, but the moments in between — the planning, the conversations, and the shared commitment to making the club better for the people coming after us.
Is there anyone (e.g., faculty, peers, mentors) you’d like to recognize for their support?
I’m grateful to the Wood Center for Real Estate Studies at UNC Kenan-Flagler for its support and generosity. Marc Bromley, who made my fellowship possible, has become a mentor and someone whose perspective I deeply value. Robert Klepper, a longtime advisor and executive mentor, has helped shape the way I approach both business and leadership. I’m especially thankful to faculty member Jim Spaeth, who took the time to connect with me before I applied and has remained a steady and thoughtful resource throughout my journey. I’ve also appreciated the support and camaraderie of my peers and the perspective of faculty who helped me grow along the way.
| Return to the main Spotlight Series page. |