Where are you from, and what was one defining moment in your life?
I was born and raised in Lima, Peru, where I studied for my bachelor’s degree and worked during the first years of my career. After the MBA, I lived for more than five years in Spain, so I am also a Spanish citizen, and for the last three years I’ve been living in the US, where my son was born. My concept of “home” has evolved; I would say I have three: Lima, Madrid, and Seattle.
One defining moment came in my early 20s, when my sister became very sick and I spent a couple of months with my family in the hospital. I don’t recall a time in my life when I was more scared of uncertainty. It taught me a lot about resilience, faith, and optimism. When things go south, going back to that period gives me perspective on what really matters, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the experiences that made me who I am.
Before IMD, where did you see yourself going, and how did the MBA help?
Before the MBA, I worked in supply chain management consulting for a German firm, and I was the CEO of the Peruvian office.
From a young age, the MBA was one of my personal and professional goals as I wanted an academic, international experience. IMD helped me go beyond, embark on a self-discovery process, and take risks by providing a strong support system. When I started the MBA, I had never imagined I would be working in the US or in tech. IMD helped me revisit my preconceptions. As part of the recruiting process, the Career Develpment Center invited multiple companies; I applied and joined the Amazon MBA Rotational Program, which was a good fit: I was eager for challenges, and Amazon provided big problems to solve.
What are you doing now, and how is the MBA impacting your current role?
I lead product and tech strategy for Exports and Placement Operations in the Amazon Global Logistics organization. My team enables global e-commerce by transcending customs’ hard borders. For example, if I want to buy my nephew in Peru his favorite LEGO, my team will make it possible and obsess over delivering it cheaper, faster, and on time. I work with teams from all continents, just like the IMD class.
There are some lessons from the MBA that accompany me every day. One I always remember is when my favorite professor asked the class to get a piece of paper and sign first with our right hand and then with our left. The signature with the left hand was off and shaky at the beginning, but as we kept signing, it improved significantly.
The message was deep and simple. Whenever I’m scared to try something new because I don’t have experience or knowledge, I remember this simple exercise and remember that, with practice, I can become good at something that may not have come naturally to me at first. I always tell my team that we need to be comfortable signing with our left hands, because this is how we learn.
Is there something different you wish you could have done during your time at IMD?
During the first months of the program, I was a bit intimidated by the high caliber of my classmates, and I feared not fitting in a class of such smart people. I would tell the past version of myself to relax, especially at the beginning.
What impact has the personal development element had on you?
The MBA brought a different dimension of self-awareness and empathy, personally and professionally. The Leadership Stream was life-changing. I cherish the weekends I had psychoanalysis sessions, as I was able to debrief my behavior in a highly competitive environment, connect with my fears, and reflect on what was holding me back from becoming the leader I wanted to be. It was tough to be confronted with my raw emotions, but it has shaped who I am not only as a professional, but also as a wife and a mother.
What are your favorite memories of your year at IMD?
From the program, my top memory was graduating with my husband, Victor Garayar, as the MBA was one of the first big, unique things we did together. It also gave me perspective on how he is, his learning style, his aspirations, and the journey we wanted to build together in our marriage. The cherry on top was the Welshe Award recognition that I shared with a close friend, Silvia Simões.
A second highlight was the final presentation of my internship in a Swiss multibillion-dollar firm, presenting my findings for a new product, the market sizing, and a launch proposal. The presentation was challenging but exciting, and the project got the green light. Years later, one of the directors sent me the link to the press release about the product and how it was launched in partnership with a global private foundation.
In Switzerland, I have too many memories. Walking along the beautiful lakefront during the summer, having a glass of wine with friends at a nearby castle, or going on holiday to the Matterhorn and learning how to ski. Switzerland really connects you with nature.
Anything else you would like to share with potential applicants?
Expect the unexpected; be open. Embrace the journey, the challenging assignments, and sometimes even conflicts with classmates around styles and ways of working. The program is carefully designed to take you to your least comfortable place and make you reflect on how you respond to the challenge. Trust the process with openness and enjoy the ride.
