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“I am a first-generation Mexican-American, and growing up near the U.S.-Mexico border has shaped my unique worldview.”
home town: Tucson, Arizona
Interesting facts about yourself: In 2022 I founded Envisions Project (EP). The project supports high-achieving first-generation low-income (FGLI) students, especially those who leave their home state for college, by providing financial assistance and a 12-month specialized mentoring program. It is intended to. . This initiative is a direct reflection of my experience leaving Arizona in 2015 to pursue my higher education goals. The Envisions project is an effort to give that money back to the community that got me to where I am today and helped me seize the opportunity.
Faculty and major:
Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
Double Major: Marketing and International Business
Latest employer and job title: Senior Marketing Analyst, PepsiCo
What is your best story from Harvard Business School so far? My best HBS story so far was being one of the presenters at the Women Student Association (WSA) marketing review session. This tradition began 60 years before her, when HBS admitted women to its MBA program. Each semester, the Required Curriculum class designates a woman from the section to lead a final exam review session across her five courses in the fall semester. It was a true honor and honor to be able to carry on this tradition of her WSA and advance the status of women in business, and especially to do it in her beautiful Claman Hall. I would like to thank my classmates for entrusting me with this responsibility and my best section mates for their recommendations.
Why is the case method so effective in learning how to become a better manager? The case method is truly magical. As future managers, I believe we tend to always have the answers and are not necessarily trained to reveal our biases through undervalued listening skills. The case method emphasizes the value and skill of listening and fosters an environment in which aspiring managers learn how to identify important insights from diverse perspectives. A focus on effective listening not only improves communication skills, but also develops a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in business decision-making. This makes it an invaluable tool for becoming a more skilled and well-rounded manager.
Additionally, I believe that the case method serves as a powerful tool for recognizing and mitigating managerial biases, making us better managers. Through a variety of examples, we learn to critically evaluate our own preconceptions and inherent biases and develop self-awareness. We develop this self-awareness by learning to consider alternative perspectives in ongoing discussions and recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making.
Besides your classmates and anecdotes, what was the important part of Harvard Business School’s MBA program that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? A specific commitment to leadership is what led me to choose HBS. Harvard University’s emphasis on leadership development aligns with my personal values and aspirations.
Growing up an hour north of the U.S.-Mexico border shaped my worldview as a first-generation Mexican-American. Being a native Spanish speaker presented unique challenges. I was considered an “underachieving” student and treated as “other,” regardless of my strengths. Reflecting on this early hurdle, I understood the need for agency, especially for underrepresented communities. Ultimately, my upbringing has shaped me to have a strong sense of commitment to others and seek the change I want to see in the world – to lead with purpose, empathy, and resilience. This sense of purpose through leadership is what drives both my professional and personal endeavors.
Therefore, Harvard’s focus on leadership is of paramount importance to me because it is not only effective, but also ethically grounded and socially responsible. After speaking with various HBS community members, I was able to learn about his holistic approach to leadership development. Leadership is built into each case and is reflected in student club leaders, administration, outstanding professors, and even alumni who return to host leadership workshops for current students. This was key for me because I wanted to be in a place where I could navigate the complexities of the modern world, grow with other leaders, and contribute meaningfully to society.
What courses, clubs, and activities are most interesting to you at Harvard Business School? We are excited about the FIELD Global Immersion experience next spring! As an international business major, I can’t wait to combine this passion with the skills I acquired at his HBS to help international companies with their most pressing business problems. I look forward to experiencing and acting on the intersectionality of cultural intelligence and business across diverse cultures and environments.
When you think of Harvard Business School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Intentionality. The program is meticulously designed to encourage growth by challenging individuals in every way, encouraging a purposeful and deliberate approach to education and personal development. With a focus on intentionality, every aspect of the HBS experience is curated to maximize learning, growth, and success. This is seen in our section experiences, our cold-calling methods, our encouragement of class discussions, our Flag Day traditions, and our ongoing moments of reflection embedded in our calendars. These words encapsulate the purposeful and thoughtful nature of the HBS experience, with each element designed to contribute to the overall growth of aspiring leaders.
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career to date: One of the most significant accomplishments of my career was leading Pepsi’s innovation initiatives as a brand marketer. There, he managed cross-functional collaboration for national initiatives across research, development, supply, chain, and sales. Among the many delicious Pepsi flavors, my favorites were the launch of the iconic Pepsi x Peeps (or “Peepsi” as the internet coined it) and the introduction of a sugar-free version of Pepsi-Cola Soda Shop. My experience at Pepsi provided me with a comprehensive understanding of product development, market dynamics, go-to-market strategies, and the importance of effective leadership to drive successful initiatives. My ability to extrapolate consumer marketing insights, collaborate with diverse teams, and drive positive business outcomes is a direct result of the experience and accomplishments I gained in my innovation role at Pepsi, and my ability to extrapolate consumer marketing insights, collaborate with diverse teams, and drive positive business outcomes. We have further enriched our contribution to the business school’s dynamic learning environment.
What do you plan to do after graduation? After graduation, I aim to shift my focus to strategic consulting at a prestigious company in order to hone my analytical skills and deepen my industry knowledge as a generalist. As I reflected on my experience at PepsiCo, I realized that I had an affinity for solving critical business problems across a variety of departments and industries. Consulting gives me the opportunity to further this aspiration through high-impact projects that involve connecting with many people, while leveraging my unique and transferable marketing skills.
What advice would you give potential applicants to help them gain admission to Harvard Business School’s MBA program? The best advice I can offer is to prioritize intentionality and self-awareness throughout the application process. Approach each step with intention and allocate your time, energy, and focus accordingly. Be intentional about every decision you make, whether it’s studying for a standardized test, building a work relationship, or reflecting on your desires. Never make hasty choices.
Maintain a strong sense of your long-term goals. Clearly define your career and personal goals, and let these aspirations guide your essays, interviews, and final school choices. Understand that pursuing higher education is a unique opportunity with lasting impact. Embrace the privilege of having access to resources for your education and use this experience to align with your broader life ambitions. Don’t think short term.
By being intentional and self-aware, you can make informed decisions, set realistic expectations, and effectively maximize your efforts. Evaluate your progress regularly, adjust your strategy as needed, and stay focused on the intentional path you’ve set for yourself. Integrating intentionality and self-awareness into your application efforts not only strengthens your authenticity (a focus at HBS), but also helps you achieve purposeful long-term goals (a key skill for HBS leaders) It also builds a strong foundation for further development.
The rest will be handled automatically.
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