For more than a decade, the military was his calling.
Now, Global Executive M.B.A. student and U.S. Army veteran, Andres Grisales, is charting a new course, one powered by entrepreneurship, education, and a passion for purpose.
Set to graduate in December 2025 from Miami Herbert Business School’s Global Executive M.B.A. program, Grisales brings a depth of experience that spans combat deployments, special operations, and now, successful small business ownership. His journey is not only inspiring, it’s a testament to discipline, adaptability, and resilience.
A native of West Palm Beach, he graduated in 2013 from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in political science and planned to pursue law. Through the university’s ROTC program, he was commissioned as an Army officer and started down the path to becoming a military lawyer. During his training, his interests shifted toward the infantry.
As an infantry officer, Grisales served a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2017, where he led a platoon and conducted security operations, including route and personal protection for U.S. personnel. He earned the Bronze Star Medal for this deployment, the military’s fourth-highest individual award, for meritorious service during the deployment.
Following his deployment, he pursued a coveted role in the U.S. Army Special Operations. After a rigorous two-week selection and nearly two years of advanced training, including Airborne School, language instruction, and regional studies, he was assigned to missions in South America.
He deployed to Ecuador and Chile over a five-year span.
“My time in the military taught me to forge my own path, question the rules, challenge the status quo, and carve out my own destiny rather than follow the crowd.”
After 10 years in uniform, Grisales decided to leave the military to spend more time with his wife and young daughter, but leaving the military didn’t mean slowing down.
Instead, he dove headfirst into entrepreneurship.
Despite having never been on a boat before purchasing one of his own, he founded a boat charter business, which now operates an eight-yacht fleet out of West Palm Beach.
Simultaneously, he partnered with his parents to launch a mold remediation company, now in its second year.
In search of traditional business training, Grisales discovered the Global Executive M.B.A. program at Miami Herbert. The program stood out for its flexibility, allowing him to manage his companies, prioritize his family, and pursue his graduate degree on time.
“My experience at Miami Herbert has been incredible,” he said. “The exposure to other professionals like entrepreneurs, executives, and even a former NBA superstar has been the most valuable part. I’ve built connections I never would have made otherwise.”
He also credits the program’s faculty and guest speakers for enhancing his business acumen.
“The professors are accessible, and the speakers bring a wealth of knowledge,” he said.
With graduation on the horizon, Grisales is focused on scaling his ventures and exploring opportunities in real estate with his wife.
“I’ve always wanted to create something of my own,” he said. “Now I’m living that dream.”
From earning a Bronze Star in Afghanistan to earning an M.B.A. in South Florida, Grisales continues to answer the call, only now, it’s a call to lead in business, family, and life.
