Tania Sotelo Valencia

Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University

“Bilingual, Perseverant Latina Women DEI Advocate, Inspiring and Bridging the Gap as an Evolving Leader.”

Hometown: Frankfort, IN

Fun fact about yourself: I love being spontaneous when the opportunity arises, especially during travels or road trips they are my favorite. If you decide to join me, get ready for an exciting ride full of adventures, from witty conversations to deep discussions, exploring diverse cultures and traditions, and embracing nature in all its magnificent forms. There will never be a dull moment!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Indiana University, Biological & Physical Sciences

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?

Ascension St. Vincent Hospital

Position: Primary Care Patient Service Representative

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Mars Wrigley, Chicago, Illinois

Where will you be working after graduation? In the process of determining the optimal offer.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

VP of DEI MBA Association

Entrepreneurship- VP of Student Relations

HR-VP

Award: Class of 2024 Inclusion and Unity

I serve in a leadership role to help support and guide the women in my church. Serving in Business school is only a part of my life; I also serve in a leadership role to help support and guide the women in my church. That is another part of me that has helped me bring more value into the leadership roles that I have been able to be a part of in Business School and the Broad community!

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am proud of my academic achievement of stepping out of my comfort zone by participating in case competitions like Broad vs. Broad, also known as Extreme Green, and two external case competitions. I took part in most of these competitions during my first year in the program, which is known to be challenging. Despite the difficulties, I saw it as an opportunity to learn and grow and I tried to absorb as much as I could while also searching for an internship and working as a Graduate Assistant.

The Broad vs. Broad competition focuses on helping local Michigan organizations tackle real-world issues. I enjoyed working with TechSmith the most, as our team valued creativity and collaboration. Despite the four-day challenge of finding a solution, we had a great time together. I would like to give a special shout-out to my teammates Ya wen, Konica, Bibhuti, and Vinay for their contribution, which led us to the second-place finish!

The Business Ethics Case Competition and the Smeal Sustainability Case Competition were the two external case competitions where I participated. In 2022, my team was among the top five finalists in the Smeal Sustainability Case Competition, while we were the first-place and runner-up in the Business Ethics Case Competition in 2023. I had participated in similar competitions before, but being part of two distinct and exceptional teams that approached the concept of sustainability in different ways was a challenging yet rewarding experience for me. With my contributions, I was able to learn from my team and be part of something bigger than myself, which helped me understand how to take care of our world and the people who live in it. This experience ignited a passion within me to find ways to create positive changes for our environment and the world we live in.

One of the greatest treasures I have gained from my experiences is the courage to push myself beyond my limits and constantly seek opportunities for self-improvement. This mindset has allowed me to witness firsthand the incredible rewards that come with personal growth and development.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am incredibly proud of achieving my MBA degree from the Eli Broad College of Business at MSU. As a first-generation Latina woman, who was born in Mexico and raised in an underserved community with immigrant parents, I had to be proficient in two languages. I had to be a quick problem solver, a creative thinker, and an innovator. Despite the limitations, I learned that perseverance, dedication, determination, hope, faith, and endurance can lead to a bright future. I have always cherished my Mexican heritage, as it has helped me to maintain a strong sense of identity and build upon it. My roots are a beautiful fusion of colors, each one representing the culture that I’ve inherited from my parents, as well as the cultures I’ve been able to embrace as a Mexican-American. I don’t just belong to one place or the other – I belong to both. My cultural heritage and roots have motivated me to become a trailblazer for my family and to assist other women, particularly Latina women, in recognizing that they can accomplish their aspirations and alter their circumstances, despite their backgrounds. My motto in life is that knowledge is the power to create change, even within yourself (Tania Sotelo). Therefore, I want to continue to embrace this belief and help others do the same. That’s why obtaining my MBA degree has been a significant steppingstone in my career.”

Always remember that the way has already been paved, and you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. This message is intended for everyone, regardless of gender or identity.

Why did you choose this business school? This is one of my favorite miracle stories that I love and treasure deeply. Now, looking back, I can see God’s hand where several factors aligned that have led me to MSU to pursue a new path in developing and enhancing my talents and skills. Although I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s degree, I wasn’t sure if healthcare was the right direction for me anymore. However, this uncertainty led me back to my previous passion for business and community work, which in turn helped me become a better leader. Along the way, I met my mentor, Tad Brinkerhoff, through a common friend I met through my missionary work, who introduced me to new ways of helping people outside of healthcare. He coached me and helped me recognize the skills I’ve developed throughout my life and career. He made me realize that I was well-suited for a career in Human Resources. Tad introduced me to Broad Alumni, who built on my personal determination and interest in getting my MBA at Michigan State Broad because of its outstanding reputation in the HR field, which aligns with my personal value of its commitment to diversity and inclusion. I am now a witness to the fact that this is where I was meant to be these past two years, and I have met the people needed to meet so far. Now, I have a new way to contribute to society while also allowing me to pursue my passion for mentoring, coaching others, and being an advocate and ally to foster DEI.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course would have to be the Presentations course taught by Professor Jeff Hittler. He helped me develop my skills in pitching my product idea for the future. Not only did I improve my presentation skills, but I also gained confidence by identifying the presentation style that I am most comfortable with.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? One of my favorite MBA events was the “Negotiate with Confidence” event. It provided an opportunity for Executive MBA and Full-Time MBA women to gain valuable insights from Professor Dr. Christy Zhou who led a session on negotiation strategies. Her expertise promises to be invaluable for our personal and professional growth. Following the lecture, we were able to engage in a luncheon with all the EMBA students at Broad, which helped us build valuable connections and create new traditions to foster connections with all EMBA students. This event also provided an opportunity for mentorship from both sides.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? The one thing that I would do differently would be to focus more on the venture idea that I eventually want to develop. I would utilize the resources available through the Burges Institute of Entrepreneurship to achieve this goal. I believe that if I had done this, I would be much further in launching my product and would have the right funding to accomplish it. What I can do is learn from my mistakes.

What is the biggest myth about your school? It’s not just a supply chain school, it’s much more than that! The program offers a variety of concentrations such as HR, marketing, finance and entrepreneurship. Moreover, it now includes STEM programs that benefit many current and future international students. The MBA program is constantly improving through student feedback to ensure a valuable learning experience.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? The campus looks beautiful in every season, the community environment, and the business building.

 What surprised you the most about business school? Being of the Midwest and getting my education in the Midwest with little to no changes in elevation. However, the campus I attend now is large, and the program is small yet mighty. Upon arriving, I immediately felt at home and aware that in times of crisis or need, we come together to become stronger than ever. Many individuals here want me to succeed, which is truly heartening.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The person I admire the most is Yawen Juang. She was the first person I met in B-school, and she came all the way from Taiwan to pursue her education in a foreign language while working on improving her English proficiency. Her confidence, willingness to take on challenges, and growth as a woman and future business professional inspire me greatly.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Become an HR professional and help with human capital consulting. Achieve SHRM Certification and Life Coach Certification, and be a voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What made Tania such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Tania has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advancing DEI principles both within and beyond the MBA program. She has consistently displayed a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has actively sought out opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Her most notable achievements are in her work with our Admissions team and in student organizations, where she is both disseminating knowledge on DEI education and topics to her peers, she is advocating for DEI principles in all aspects of our operations.  Moreover, Tania has consistently advocated for marginalized voices within her academic circles, encouraging discussions and initiatives aimed at creating a more equitable and diverse environment. Her ability to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, foster meaningful dialogue, and drive positive change has been exemplary.

Tania has also been actively involved in DEI initiatives outside of the classroom. Whether through volunteering, internships, or community outreach efforts, she has consistently sought out opportunities to apply her knowledge and skills towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in real-world settings.

I am excited to see Tania continue to shine in her professional endeavors, impacting organizations at a human level for years to come.”

Wayne Hutchison, Ph.D.
Managing Director
Full-Time MBA
STEM MBA

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