NVC@25 – Fireside Chat: Ben & Frank
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71 New Venture Challenge (NVC), join the Polsky Center for a fireside chat with the cofounder and co-CEO of Ben & Frank, Mariana Castillo, MBA ’16. The event will be moderated by Professor Steve Kaplan, Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Kessenich E.P. Faculty Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Hear from Mariana about her entrepreneurial journey, what lessons she learned from participating in the NVC, and what she sees as the future of Ben & Frank.
About Mariana Castillo, MBA ’16
Mariana is co-CEO at Ben & Frank, a direct to consumer eyewear brand that is revolutionizing the way Mexicans purchase glasses. Mariana leads the operations, technology, human resources and financial teams. Ben & Frank currently operates 30 stores, has over 300 employees and is one of the fastest growing startups in Mexico.
Prior to founding Ben & Frank, Mariana was a portfolio manager for Mexico’s Central Bank, where she traded both fixed income and foreign exchange. Mariana earned an undergraduate degree in economics for Universidad Iberoamericana and an MBA from Chicago Booth where she graduated with honors. She is a member of the Board for the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation School at Universidad Iberoamericana.