Badillo: Club’s strength is creating generational connections

The 2025 MBA Real Estate Club Executive Board began their term at the beginning of March. (From top left) Sho Suzuki, Nico Omeechevarria, Kaleb Soper, Andrew Hanna (From bottom left) Laura Critz, Jose Badillo, Aida Hyde

Selected by a committee of his peers, first-year MBA student Jose Badillo (’16) has been named the 2025 president of the MBA Real Estate Club.

Badillo, who has a bachelors degree in biology from UNC, was most recently employed as a Project Manager at CBRE in the Charlotte office before applying to the MBA program at UNC Kenan-Flagler. We spoke with him to learn more about his vision for the MBA Real Estate Club during his reign.

Why are you passionate about real estate?

Real estate isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling. It’s one of the most dynamic industries in the world, blending finance, development, and long-term vision to shape communities. At CBRE, working within Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) and managing projects for the Bank of America account, I saw firsthand how capital is deployed at scale, how assets are repositioned for impact, and how strategic investment decisions shape markets. Real estate isn’t just about buildings – it’s about economic engines, communities, and legacies that last beyond a single transaction.

What in your career led you to exploring your MBA and ultimately committing to the real estate concentration?

My time at CBRE gave me a strong foundation in execution and asset management, but I wanted to go deeper into the capital side of real estate – understanding how deals are structured, how developers underwrite risk, and how firms position themselves for long-term growth. That pursuit of expertise led me to Kenan-Flagler.

UNC’s real estate program is distinguished by its analytical rigor and industry integration – it doesn’t just prepare students for real estate careers, it embeds them in the field through case-based learning, exposure to institutional investment strategies, and direct engagement with top-tier firms. Choosing Kenan-Flagler wasn’t just about expanding my technical skillset – it was about aligning with an academic tradition that produces industry leaders.

Why are you a part of the MBA Real Estate Club? How do you believe it benefits UNC Real Estate students?

Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Real Estate Club is one of the most prestigious and well-connected organizations in the country. It has a long-standing tradition of excellence, measured not just by the knowledge it imparts but by the careers it launches. The club is a direct extension of our world-class real estate program, providing students access to a deep well of industry resources, a powerful alumni network, and an education that is both practical and cutting-edge.

More than anything, the club is about access – to insights, to firms, and to people who shape the industry. Whether it’s through speaker series, technical training, or employer connections, the club ensures that UNC real estate students don’t just compete in the industry – they lead it.

Why did you decide to apply for the President position of the MBA Real Estate Club?

Kenan-Flagler’s real estate program has produced some of the most respected leaders in the industry, and every year, this club serves as the launchpad for the next generation. That legacy is what drives me.

The outgoing leadership team has done an incredible job strengthening our alumni relationships, employer engagement, and career development programming. As President, my goal isn’t just to build on that—it’s to ensure that every student fully capitalizes on the opportunities this club provides.

At CBRE, I developed a deep understanding of how real estate projects are structured and executed on an institutional level. At Kenan-Flagler, I’ve had the opportunity to refine my perspective through real estate finance, investment strategy, and exposure to leading firms. Taking on this role wasn’t about personal ambition—it was about ensuring that our class upholds and advances the reputation of one of the strongest real estate MBA programs in the country.

What is your overall vision for the club during your term?

The Real Estate Club operates at the intersection of preparation, relationships, and execution. Everything we do serves a singular goal: ensuring that every second-year secures a full-time offer and every first-year lands a competitive internship.

Achieving this requires a fully integrated approach – one where career preparation, industry engagement, and peer collaboration don’t just coexist but reinforce each other.

Legacy is at the heart of my vision. The club’s strength lies in its ability to connect generations of UNC real estate professionals, creating an environment where second-years elevate first-years, first-years push each other, and alumni remain engaged as mentors and hiring managers. This is how Kenan-Flagler sustains its reputation as a powerhouse in real estate education—and my focus is on strengthening those ties in every possible way.

How do you believe you can positively impact the UNC Real Estate Community?

UNC real estate students already compete at the highest levels, but my goal is to push the boundaries of what that means. The value of a Kenan-Flagler real estate education extends far beyond the classroom—it’s about producing graduates who are not only technically proficient but industry-ready.

That means ensuring students enter interviews with confidence and fluency in complex financial structures, reinforcing our program’s reputation with top employers, and expanding our alumni engagement to create even stronger professional pipelines. The impact I want to leave is simple: when people hear “UNC Real Estate,” they should immediately think of distinction, collaboration, and long-term industry leadership.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself developing multifamily or mixed-use projects that shape communities and create lasting value. I want to work on projects that don’t just meet market demand but enhance the way people live, work, and interact with their environments.

Just as importantly, I see myself remaining actively involved with Kenan-Flagler’s real estate program. The strength of this program is its alumni, and I intend to give back to future students just as alumni have guided me.

If someone is interested in joining the club, how can they get involved?

The best way to get involved is to step in early and stay engaged. Real estate is a relationship-driven business, and the more students immerse themselves in networking, learning sessions, and mentorship, the better positioned they’ll be.

This club isn’t just about opening doors—it’s about ensuring every student is ready to walk through them with confidence. The sooner you start, the more you’ll gain.

President: Jose Badillo

Executive Vice-President: Laura Critz

VP of Finance: Andrew Hanna

VP of Learning & Development: Nico Omeechevarria

VP of Corporate Relations: Kaleb Soper

VP of Communications: Sho Suzuki