The Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont welcomed back alumnus Miguel Roque ’96 on February 18 for the annual Hoffman Family Business Lecture. The event is designed to give students direct exposure to innovative leaders who are reshaping industries and communities.
Roque, now President of Bezos Academy, has built a career defined by curiosity, adaptability, and an appetite for challenge. He walked students through a candid exploration of his professional journey. His story included “fresh tracks” moments of success as well as the “hidden obstacles” that shaped his leadership and perspective.
A Career Defined by Reinvention
Roque began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he spent 11 years building and scaling new consulting practices across South America and the United States. He later joined the video game industry during a period of rapid growth, helping expand a startup from 23 employees to 700. The company ultimately collapsed, and his departure became one of several pivotal learning moments.
“At every step, the failures have taught me far more than the successes,” Roque said. “Most people don’t have careers that bat a thousand. Embrace the squiggly line.”
His next chapter took him to Amazon, where he helped launch Amazon Coins and later built what became one of the world’s largest on‑demand merchandising businesses. Roque emphasized the value of Amazon’s writing culture and shared how producing clear, concise six‑page business cases pushed him far outside his comfort zone in ways that were ultimately transformative.
Leading with Purpose at Bezos Academy
For the past six years, Roque has led Bezos Academy, a nonprofit creating tuition‑free Montessori preschools in underserved communities. The organization now operates schools across six states, with more on the way.
“This is by far the most rewarding work of my life,” Roque said. “We are building something that changes the trajectory of families and communities.”
He highlighted the Academy’s partnership‑driven model, which centers local organizations that understand the needs and strengths of their neighborhoods. This approach, he explained, ensures each preschool is grounded in the identity of its community.
Advice for Students: Plan Boldly, Learn Constantly
Throughout the conversation, Roque offered practical advice for students preparing for life after graduation. His guidance included:
Embrace discomfort and failure. “That is where the most meaningful learning happens.”
Know what makes you tick. Self‑awareness is career fuel.
Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Set the tone in groups and workplaces rather than reflecting the prevailing mood.
Plan more deeply and more boldly than you think you need to. Long‑term thinking creates clarity and agency.
To students feeling uncertain about the future, he added, “Action cures anxiety. Start where you are. Move the needle one decision at a time.”
Student Perspective: Lessons That Stick
For many students, Roque’s blend of candor, encouragement, and strategic insight left a strong impression.
Alaina Cimonetti ’26, a Grossman School of Business student, shared her biggest takeaway from the lecture: “One of the biggest takeaways for me was his encouragement to take risks and embrace discomfort. Hearing how he navigated both successes and setbacks reinforced the idea that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.”
As someone hoping to work in the nonprofit sector, Cimonetti said Roque’s reflections on mission‑driven leadership were especially meaningful: “Learning about his journey into mission‑driven work, and the impact it has on families and communities, was a powerful reminder of what it means to make selfless decisions and use your skills to help those in need.”
Her response echoed the theme Roque returned to throughout the afternoon: thoughtful action, openness to challenge, and a commitment to work that creates meaningful impact.
A Homecoming Full of Gratitude
Roque closed by reflecting on how his time at the Grossman School of Business and the professors who shaped his mindset continue to influence his work today. Returning to campus with his wife and fellow UVM alum Melissa ’96 made the visit especially meaningful.
Dean Sanjay Sharma shared his appreciation for Roque’s time with students. “This lecture series is built on meaningful exchanges between students and business leaders. Miguel’s honesty, generosity, and insight embody exactly why the Hoffman Family Business Lecture matters.”
