Author Archives: karsrobles

Karen Robles

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• MBA Forte Scholarship and Global Marketing Excellence Scholarship awardee
• MBA Fellow
• MBA Marketing Club President
• Honorable Mention Awardee in Bachelor’s degree
• Nominated for Achiever Scholar Program and Harvest of Winners Awards in Bachelor’s degree
• Founded an online business, Mama Nguyen PH

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-De La Salle University, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Advertising Management, 2012

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

A lot of people always wonder where I get the energy to do so many things in my life — from pursuing my MBA, regularly meeting different friends, to travelling and engaging in activities I enjoy. Sometimes, I even question the source of this energy and my constant craving to stay active and be around people. Most of the time, I attribute it to FOMO (fear of missing out), but as I reflect on the past years of my life, I am reminded of an event that took place a decade ago.

In May of 2013, I took a taxi to attend my friend’s sister’s birthday dinner. After a few minutes, two armed robbers suddenly entered the taxi and held me hostage while driving for three hours. This experience turned out to be the most traumatic yet also one of the most significant learning moments of my life. Looking back, it has become my invisible but essential experience.

In the first few minutes with them, all I could think about was whether this was how my life would end. However, my initial fear and panic transformed into calmness, logic and assessment. Realizing that showing fear would jeopardize my safety, I evaluated the situation and turned it into a dialogue and negotiation. I discovered their motives, their plans and how I can get myself out of it. Those three hours were the longest of my life, but I successfully negotiated my safety, and even managed to retrieve some of my belongings. As you read this, you might find it impressive, and I do too. However, the impact of that incident on who I am now and how I view life is my greatest takeaway.

Instead of reliving the horror, I always remind myself of how I survived it. Now I understand better why I have this zest for life. I consider my current life as a second chance. In the Philippines, a woman held up for three hours and surviving is a miracle. From the moment I got out of that car alive, saw my parents and friends, all I could think of was never taking this life for granted. That night of terror taught me how to handle any difficult situation, the strength I possess within me and how truly short life is.

As we come closer to the end of our MBA, most of us heading home for a well-deserved break, and bidding farewell to 2023, let me end this short story with a few reminders. Eat that food you’ve always wanted. Take that vacation. Call your family and friends and tell them you miss them. Quit your job and do your MBA. Or don’t quit it and continue doing what you love. Allow yourself that much-needed pause and rest. Say yes and say no. Run that marathon. Live your best life. And when I say “best life,” I mean embracing both the big and small moments. This life is beautiful, and we are given it only once, so embrace it with energy and passion.

-Your KARSelona

Badr Albanawi

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• Raised funds within MBA ’24 through an art auction to help an impacted community in a small town in Italy.

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-Franklin University Switzerland, Double Major in History and Economics, 2018

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

I’m not sure what’s unique about me or my story. Isn’t everyone unique in some particular way? Isn’t that the beauty of the human story? What distinguishes me? There’s people who are far more incredible and inspiring, trust me on that.

So maybe I can write a little bit about my transformation and some of the lessons I’ve learnt along the way since coming to this beautiful shining city. For most of my life I was very much content in my quiet ways. A small group of friends, books, paintings, work. I guess I still am content, but I was distant from the world. I watched as life swung from left to right in its infinite pendulum.

So I came here with the intention of doing business as usual. I spoke little and I had no desire to draw attention to myself. But then you meet some people who say the most profoundly absurd things you just can’t stay quiet. Be it in class (least favorite time to speak) or big social gatherings (hate those), or telling the waiter theres a fly in my soup (‘cuz the poor guy is already hating his job, why add more?). Anyways, something happened. Something that changed me forever. I learnt the power of words. Of believing what you say. In thinking things through before communicating. I learnt that language can be thought of as a mathematical formula. Words, like numbers, have to be weaved together in the most direct and yet graceful way possible to reach the correct outcome. We can always say ‘1+1×1+2=4’ but ‘doesn’t ‘2+2’ just sound and feel infinitely better. It has a juicy crispiness to it just by saying it. 2 plus 2.Words have a weight to them. They can move or destroy mountains. Words, and words alone, have lead nations to the brink of collapse, have damaged marriages beyond repair, have lead armies to mass suicides. Words are powerful. Don’t forget that. But just having the right words isn’t enough. You also have to SAY them the right way. Intonation, pauses, volume, repetition, body language, my God the list doesn’t end. But these things are necessary, because if you don’t carry these words like they’re yours, then no one is gonna listen. If you don’t sound like you believe in your own words, why should anybody else?That’s one of the lessons. Speak up any time you can. Be nervous, be shy, be anxious. It happens to everyone. Just know these things go away, little by little, every time you choose to speak up. It could be when you want a raise from your boss, or when your boyfriend does something that troubles you. Or when the waiter needs to know there’s a fly in your soup.

After learning how to communicate (because I was an ape before), I met alot more people than I hoped for. I mean you’re all very nice but there’s simply too many names…Well I met you wonderful people and got to know you very deeply and honestly. As you too got to know me (which is your problem now). And it occurred to me that there’s something lurking beneath the surface. A recent study showed that an average adult in their 20s and 30s today has the same anxiety level of a mental patient in the US in the 60s. That’s a crazy statistic. There’s pain out there. Maybe we can’t change this pandemic in a day, but we can start by being more understanding of one another. The person in front of you could have mountains of responsibility on their shoulders and yet serve you with the brightest smile on their face. I’ve always believed that treating people with respect and politeness is the cheapest skill to acquire. It literally takes nothing. Be demanding. Be challenging. Be assertive. But don’t forget you’re dealing with someone that one day might be doing you a favor and you’ll need their memory of you to be clean. So: respect and politeness. Add that to the arsenal.

Guess that’s it. This really isn’t my story because I don’t have much to say in that regard. So this is our story. Or said differently, this is what I learned from your journey that you’ve generously included me into. I hope that I’ve added some value.

Ayoola Oni

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• Excellence in Entreprenuership Scholarship Recipient
• President, Blacks in Business & Allies

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-Covenant University, Bsc. Industrial Mathematics, 2016

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

Sometimes, the things that matter can be difficult to spot, even though they play a big role. These hidden qualities have two things in common—most people don’t notice them, including ourselves, and they can make a huge difference or be really important for other things to work well.

An essential but invisible trait I possess is the way I see things from a unique perspective. I grew up in a family where everyone had prowess in Finance, but I was different. While they liked numbers, and easily identified patterns, I had interests in literature and understanding abstract ideas. As I grew up and started my career, I often found myself choosing to do things differently, even when others thought it wasn’t the clearly favoured choice.

It wasn’t until I went to business school for my MBA that I understood how valuable it is to be different. We often feel like we need to do what everyone expects, but that’s not always right. When I started my MBA, I wondered what someone like me, whose experience majorly spanned around the arts, could bring to a class full of people who were experts in consulting and finance.

During my time in school, I realized that my way of looking at things in a different light was actually a strength. Asking “why” about almost everything helped me connect with people, contribute to group projects, and make a difference in my class.

I soon learned that all the unusual choices I had made in the past led me to one of the best MBA schools in the world. And I know that these choices would also be important for whatever I do next in my life, no matter what it is.

I like to remember something Steve Jobs once said: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

So here’s to making different choices, even when they don’t seem to make sense at first.

Gokce Gigi Gun

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• Nominated for Beca de Talento Esade
• President of Esade Healthcare Club
• Senior Medical Manager at Novartis

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-Yeditepe University, Doctor of Medicine, 2014

-Yeditepe University, MSc Pharmacology, 2019

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

I was born into a family in Turkey with a rich heritage spanning two generations in the fields of science and medicine. This familial legacy significantly influenced my educational path, leading me to attend a science-focused high school and ultimately pursue a career in medicine during my college years.

Throughout college, I had the privilege of undertaking two transformative internships at prestigious institutions in the United States—Harvard and Columbia Medical Schools. These experiences were invaluable in terms of knowledge and skill acquisition. Still, what truly stood out for me was the exposure to a diverse, multinational environment. It was within this multicultural setting that I forged deep and meaningful friendships that significantly influenced my decision to pursue an MBA in Barcelona later in life.

In Turkey, after graduation, it is customary to complete mandatory service. Following medical school, my first professional assignment led me to an emergency department situated in the culturally vibrant southeastern region of the country. This environment was marked by its exceptional cultural richness and remarkable diversity, delivering an unforgettable and enlightening experience.

Subsequently, my career path led me into the pharmaceutical industry, where I came to appreciate the immense significance of workplace diversity. Engaging in vibrant, constructive discussions and the exchange of ideas within a safe and inclusive environment has been a tremendous privilege.

Additionally, I actively contributed to projects related to rare diseases, where I keenly felt the significance of my contributions to improving human health. These experiences underscored the importance of each step I took in addressing these specific conditions and enhancing overall human health.

Throughout my personal journey, I’ve developed a profound appreciation for the transformative power of embracing diversity, not only in one’s personal life but also within the professional realm. This realization significantly influenced my decision to pursue an international MBA experience, leading me to choose Esade as the ideal platform for my academic pursuits. Just as the timeless wisdom suggests, ‘We are the average of the five people around us,’ I wholeheartedly endorse the belief that diversity serves as a catalyst for enriching and elevating this collective average. In diverse settings, we have the unique opportunity to broaden our horizons, welcome a wider array of experiences, and evolve into more empathetic and inclusive individuals. This growth, in turn, holds the potential to positively impact and advance society as a whole.

Tushita Sethi

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• VP of Outreach & Events, Technology Club 2024

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-Sun Yat Sen University, Guangzhou, China: Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics (2018)

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

My invisible but essential journey began when I was just 10 years old. I was sent to a boarding school, which taught me independence, but unfortunately, it also amplified my reserved nature and lack of confidence due to bullying.

In new environments, I often felt uncomfortable and struggled to make new friends. It wasn’t until I went to China after high school that I discovered a completely different side of myself.

Moving to a country where English wasn’t widely spoken, I had no choice but to adapt to a new routine, culture, and lifestyle. I met people from all corners of the world who, like me, had moved to a foreign land, leaving behind the comfort of their homes. Our shared experiences of uncertainty and confusion while navigating life in China brought us together. During my three years there, I embarked on solo hiking trips to small cities like Shaoguan, worked as the only non-Chinese employee in a company in the quaint town of Wuxi, and even featured in advertisements for various international brands. These adventures instilled in me a newfound sense of confidence and independence.

When I joined ESADE, I was eager to share this multinational experience with my classmates, all thanks to my time in China. As the saying goes, “So much of who we are is where we have been,” and I couldn’t agree more. I encourage everyone to learn from and build upon their past experiences, surround themselves with loved ones, and be curious, always.

Thank you for reading xx

Tushita

Joscelyn Bivins

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• Forté fellow
• VP of Marketing & Communications, Esade MBA’s Blacks in Business & Allies Club
• First woman in the family to pursue an MBA
• First person in the family to study abroad

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-Bachelor of Arts in Advertising – Public Relations from the University of Central Florida

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve had to temporarily say goodbye to my fellow classmates and as I settle in to a summer in the States, I’ve spent some quality time reflecting on my MBA experience so far. While there were many high-highs and low-lows, I can confidently say the highs outweigh the lows. When I had decided to pursue my MBA abroad, I was looking to have my mindset and lived experiences as an American challenged. I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and immerse myself in an environment where English wasn’t the main language and the culture was completely different. Now that I have had a month to relfect, I can comfortably articulate what makes me Invisible but Essential. To simply put it, privileged, something I never considered myself to be prior to moving to Spain.

Growing up in the United States as a Black woman, there’s many trials and tribulations one faces as part of the Black community within our own country. Whether it be the Black tax, cultural appropriation, socioeconomic inequality, racism and even unconscious bias, many aspects of being a Black American are deeply systemic and it can be hard to even put into words the effects that this has on individuals, even for myself.

I grew up in a single family home raised by a mother who instilled a hustler mentality in me from a young age. My mother often worked two jobs to ensure I was able to attend private school up until age 12 and live in school districts that had some the best public schools in the state. From a young age, I was inspired by her hustle and sacrifice and made it a point in my life to work hard not only set myself up for success, but to make her proud. From working as a grocery store bagger at 14, I’ve at times held multiple jobs at once in effort to support myself throughout my undergrad and even now within my MBA journey. Because of this upbringing, I never considered myself privileged, but solely a hard worker. I knew that if I didn’t hustle and figure out how to advance on my own, my family nor the country where I was raised could support me.

People look at America as the land of opportunity. And while that may true, people of color, whether that be Hispanics, Blacks, Asians or Native American, as well as those within the LGBTQIA+ community, often have to work twice as hard as their Caucasian counterparts. This has been made even more relevant in 2023 considering LGBTQIA+ marriage, affirmative action, legal abortion and student loan forgiveness has all been struck down by the US’s Supreme Court.

Part of the reason I sought out to live abroad is due to this idea that my social rights may not remain intact. It’s a scary time being a minority in the States, especially as a Black woman. I remember doing my research before moving to Spain and seeing minorities in Europe being treated well and overall feeling safer. The complete opposite to the uneasiness i felt growing up in my own country. But when I arrived in Spain, I never thought people would consider me privileged.

I must say I felt ignorant when I learned of the trials and tribulations my peers go through from a visa perspective. I didn’t know the extent passport strength played in someone’s life until I moved abroad and I admit, that’s the American privilege I hold. But what has made me feel invisible is the lack of identify I felt at times because I am considered “just another American”. In reality, my experience as a minority within America is completely different than to some of the peers I share a Nationality with.

As I’ve edited and rewritten this article in the past month and thought about my MBA experience, what makes me invisible but essential is my upbringing and the fact that I am the only Black American woman within the cohort. I am appreciative of everything my passport affords me from a global perspective, but I want my voice and experiences within my home country to be known. I’m seeing this next phase of my experience as an opportunity to speak more openly about the things I’ve faced. I no longer want to see these types of discussions as a tokenization of my background, but more as a way to educate my peers of the not so beautiful side of America. Although I may feel invisible at times, I know what makes me essential.

Ceclia Shi

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• Recipient of the Esade China Development Award
• Partner and VP of Communications in an import/export consultancy

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-Marcromedia University of Applied Sciences, M.A in Media and Communication, 2015

-Beijing Normal University, B.A of Management, 2011

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

My story started with a sudden burst of athletic talent and the recruitment into the school’s track and field team.

I was 13, won the first place in the high jump and long jump events at school sports day and started my eight-year-long track and field journey. My days were packed with training sessions on top of my academic schedule. But all the hard work paid off, I was the school record holder for years, represented the school in many competitions and won many medals. With the results I had, I was offered a chance to enter a selection process of a prestigious university when I was 17. So I pushed myself even harder, dedicating my time and energy to training outside of studying, even sacrificing sleep for late-night video analysis of professional athletes.

All this effort was shattered by a car accident, and I was diagnosed with a serious neck injury that could lead to paralysis. The treatment was painful, and I needed to lie flat on my back most of the time as my neck was being pulled by very heavy weights. When I finally got discharged, the doctor warned me that high-intensity sports training was out of the question, because that could easily cause severe re-injury. It was a tough decision, but I chose to give up the chance to be selected for the university and take care of my health. I didn’t give up training completely and competed for the next year, but I only got average results because of the reduced training intensity.

Well, there is no twist that you expected in my story. But I learned a lot from this experience, so much so that a large part of it has become my standard of behavior in school, work and life in the years to come.

First, be patient and persistent. Despite my love for sports, training was tough and often dull. The temptation to quit was always present, and the relationship between training time and results wasn’t always aligned. But by remaining patient and persistent, I was able to learn from my mistakes and bounce back from failure. This process allowed me to gain valuable experience and expertise in my chosen discipline, and it’s a vital lesson that can be applied to any task I undertake in life.

Second, remember to celebrate success and appreciate other’s contributions. A member of the track team once said, “The best part is the celebration!” we all just scoffed. But then we realized that celebrating together after a victory is important, even if it’s just high-fiving each other, to share the joy of the accomplishment and to show our support to each other. This team spirit and appreciation for each other’s contributions also carried over into my work life. I always encourage my team to celebrate success together and to recognize each other’s efforts. It creates a positive work environment and fosters a sense of community and support.

Finally, it is alright to stop and let go when it’s time. Giving up is sometimes a difficult decision, but ultimately it was the right one for my well-being at the time. Releasing things that no longer serve us can make room for new opportunities and experiences that can bring more fulfillment to our lives. Through my own experience, I learned that sometimes the best way forward is to let go and allow ourselves to embrace what comes next.

Thank you for reading my story and hope you get inspired a little every day!

Naveen Sharma

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• VP Careers, Energy & Environment Club 
• A meditation & sports enthusiast who loves Trekking (walk 3 million steps a year).

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology, Gautam Buddh Technical University, 2010

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

Every story starts with a “once upon a time……”, my story starts with a “there will be a time……..”

There will be a time when we must look beyond our own existence and consider the legacy we will leave for future generations. For me, this realization came early in my childhood from my deep love and appreciation for the natural world, and a burning desire to make a positive impact on the world around me.

As I pondered my role in the grand scheme of things, I couldn’t help but question whether simply accumulating material possessions, doing some social service, and fulfilling worldly duties was enough. It was then that I came across the words of the revered Indian saint, Sadhguru, who stated that the true test of civilization is whether we leave the world a better place for those who come after us.

After arrival of my beautiful child, this thought became even stronger and I made the difficult decision to leave behind my beloved family, disrupting their and my life for a better world.

It was this sentiment and a need for more awareness on environmental impact in business world that led me to choose Esade for my MBA, as it offered me the freedom to explore my passion, align my values, and find a career that would truly make a difference. Yet, as I soon discovered, this was no easy feat.

The quest to find a purposeful career, one that would allow me to make a real impact, is filled with challenges and obstacles. But I refuse to give up, and instead, continue this journey with a steadfast determination.

If you too dream of a life that transcends the mundane, that seeks to make a meaningful impact on the world around us, then I invite you to join me on this journey. Let us strive for a more purposeful existence, one that enriches our own lives and leaves a lasting and positive impact on the world for generations to come. For as the famous saying goes, “we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

Inspire ! Grow Sustainably! Care for natural resources!

Amanda Cattaneo

Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• Academic: ESADE MBA Women in Business Award and VP of Networking & Communication – Finance Club
• Activities: Sponsorship for a EMBA in Finance by Itaú BBA (performance award)
• Others: First family member to do MBA (local and abroad) / volunteer as care clown at an NGO (pre-Covid)

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-EMBA in Finance at Insper (Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa) – São Paulo, Brazil | EMBA in Finance (sponsored by Itaú BBA) (2017)

-Bachelor of Business Administration at Escola de Adm. de Empresas de São Paulo, Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) – São Paulo, Brazil (2008)

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

Born and raised in Brazil, soon in life I started to experience, the challenges of growing-up in a developing country and more specially in a more female dominant environment due to my specific circumstances in life. At that time, little did I know about the meaning and life impact of all typical challenges regarding education, financial stability, and opportunities. But luckily, I was surrounded by strong and hard-working women who taught and inspired me so much, especially two which I want to introduce.

One, a primary school teacher, who was abandoned by her husband and migrated with four children from the Northeast of Brazil to São Paulo in search of work and better living conditions. From selling encyclopedias door-to-door, this woman ended up running her successful own business for many years. Her example of strength and dedication was marked in her crooked backbones, and she was also my grandmother. The other, also a public-school teacher, faced the death of my father at the age of 32, with a 4-year-old girl and a 5-month-old baby boy. Throughout her life, my mother struggled to support my brother and me, always prioritizing our education to ensure we could have a good future. Overcoming all challenges (personal losses, financial instability, gender, etc), her example taught me that education, hard work, perseverance, and faith can lead us to achieve our goals and dreams.

It didn’t take long until it was my turn to experience some of these challenges myself. Despite my family’s lack of financial means, my dedication to studies and my determination to change my future led me to a personal sponsorship for my studies in a top private school. I took the opportunity to challenge myself and prepare to enter a very prestigious business school in São Paulo, financed by a student loan. This and the commitment I had mentally to be a changer in my family pushed my dedication at work. The results didn’t come as fast as the challenges in the male-dominated environments of business school, consulting, and financial market. Long working hours, facing intimidation or disfavoring from some people, harassments from others, but I knew I had reached amazing opportunities for learning and developing professionally. I pushed and challenged myself, outperformed, achieved my goals, and helped others on the way as my role models taught me.

Thank you to the women of my life and to all the people who contributed in many ways to show that we can achieve our goals with collaboration, in addition to education, perseverance, hard work, dreams, and faith.

Ale Martinez Malaver
Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

Linkedin

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

• Academic Roles:  VP of Communications – Entrepreneurship Business Club and VP of Sustainable Development- Design & Innovation Business Club.
• First-generation master student and the first member of the family to study abroad.
• Quitted her job as a lawyer to be the Head of Legal and Finance Departments in the family business.

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2024

-University of the Andes, Bachelor in Law with Coterminal Degree in Private Law, 2017

-University of the Andes, Postgraduate Studies in Financial Law, 2018

-University of the Andres, Postgraduate Studies in Financial Management, 2020

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

I was born into a Colombian family of humble origins that built a business from scratch. Creative entrepreneurs who, without many tools, managed to excel, honestly and responsibly, by contributing to the economic and social development of their family and their community.

Growing up surrounded by successful entrepreneurs has been very inspiring but also a great challenge for me. Since I started my professional journey, I have been confronting unconscious biases and working to silence an inner voice that unjustifiably insinuated that I wasn’t capable enough to face leadership roles as my parents have done.

This personal journey began by identifying that this self-perception problem was not only mine, but that it occurs in many women, who face unconscious biases, learned stereotypes, and social barriers, which make us less prone to exercising leadership. Concepts such as the glass ceiling and the impostor syndrome are present in our professional trajectories and lead to the indicators we know today.

Naming it was a great start, but what made the difference was looking around and being inspired by other women’s stories. I am not talking just about great business women or public figures, but also about the ones whose successes might not look that big, but were really impactful within their communities.

My grandmother is the one who has inspired me the most. A woman who came into this world more than a century ago, who never went to school and learned to read and write by looking through the window of the little school in the town where she was born. At the age of eight years old, she was orphaned by her parents and then by her grandparents and finally abandoned by her brother. She was a single mother with four children. She did all kinds of jobs to support her family and educated her children with values. She always reinforced the importance of education, but the only one who was able to go to university was the youngest, my father.

Today, two generations later, I am studying an MBA at one of the best business schools and I know that I owe a great part of the privilege of being here to the efforts of my grandmother. Her will, her ambition and her desire to grow, led her to building a family that supported me to become who I am today.

Thank you for being my inspiration abuelita Margarita!