Stacy Danika Alcantara-Garcia

Washington University, Olin Business School in St. Louis

“Interdisciplinary, intersectional, international.”

Hometown: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Fun Fact About Yourself: I wrote and published a novel called The Secret of the Amulet when I was 12. It’s a coming-of-age story set in pre-colonial Philippines and is rooted in Philippine mythology. Other than that, I love hiking, art history and embroidery.

Undergraduate School and Major: Silliman University, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Journalism)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippines), Foreign Service Officer; Acting Director for Multilateral Economic Security, Food Security and Sustainable Development

What has been your favorite part of St. Louis so far? What makes St. Louis such a great place to earn an MBA? It was love at first sight when I saw the Central West End. I enjoy strolling around this neighborhood, hanging out at its many homegrown cafés and restaurants, and visiting its local stores and galleries. The area has a wonderful collection of architectural gems designed by renowned architect AA Fischer. As a design and architecture buff, being surrounded by these masterpieces is energizing and reinvigorating. CWE is steeped in so much heritage that every turn is a pleasant surprise.

What I found fascinating about St. Louis is the palpable entrepreneurial energy that’s exciting and contagious. The city has a long history of innovation and invention, revolutionizing industries from food to manufacturing. It gave birth to many iconic American and global brands. This dynamic heritage of creativity and possibility makes St. Louis a great place to earn an MBA.

You completed your Global Immersion earlier this year? What was the best part of the immersion experience for you? What was the biggest takeaway you gained? The global immersion is an experience unlike any other. It’s a program that sets apart Olin’s MBA from other MBAs. The best part of the immersion was engaging with and learning from international business leaders and entrepreneurs who are changing the landscape of business in their respective countries. We were able to interact with representatives from other sectors, such as government and academia, to learn about the broader impact the private sector plays in shaping the world we live in.

My key takeaway from the experience is recognizing the intricate interdependence that binds us, both individually and collectively. Developments and challenges in one industry are profoundly felt across others, showing how local challenges have a global dimension and vice versa. Solutions don’t lie solely within business or government; no single industry holds all the answers. Overcoming our greatest challenges demands breaking free from sectoral silos, as today’s and tomorrow’s issues necessitate a comprehensive, holistic, interdisciplinary, society-wide approach.

Aside from your immersion and classmates, what was the key part of Washington Olin’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? WashU’s Olin Business School emphasizes transformational leadership and believes that businesses have the power and potential to shape a more sustainable future for all. At Olin, we’re not trained to become employees after graduation—we’re honed to become changemakers and game changers who lead with the head and the heart. This philosophy resonates with me, as our world requires leaders with a robust moral compass. Olin’s dedication to unleashing the potential of businesses for positive change is evident in the real-world experiences it offers through the school’s Center for Experiential Learning and in the numerous social impact startups and social enterprises it incubates that continue to make a difference in St. Louis and around the world. I consider these crucial in selecting a business school because my purpose for pursuing an MBA isn’t simply to prepare for a successful career but also to brace for the profound responsibility of contributing to a more ethical, sustainable and impactful global business landscape.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Olin? There are a few courses I’ve really enjoyed so far: Women in Leadership, Leadership Competence, Leading Across Differences, and Power and Politics. Coming from a social psychology background, I’ve always been fascinated with human behavior and interaction. In addition to being guided by very engaging professors, I enjoy reflecting on my own experiences through the cases we discuss in class and through my classmates’ stories. I find these courses incredibly valuable and fundamental regardless of the sector or industry we will find ourselves in after graduation. At their core, they provide fundamental lessons in human relationships and organizational stewardship that make up the DNA of any business or organization.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I was entrusted with the rare opportunity of coordinating the efforts of our team in paving the way for the successful negotiation of the Philippines’ Cooperation Framework with the United Nations, an important document that guides our partnership with the United Nations at the country level. The experience was nerve-wracking, yet I was fortunate to receive invaluable guidance from mentors and teammates. What distinguishes this document is its genuinely participative and inclusive process, bringing together representatives from various sectors to craft a blueprint for a more just, equitable and sustainable society, with sustainable development at its core. Contributing to this endeavor is a memory I’ll forever cherish and an accomplishment I hold dear. It’s not every day one gets the chance to be at the frontlines in shaping a world where no one is left behind.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: My greatest accomplishment has been facing and conquering the Holy Trinity of my fears: Finance, Accounting, and Economics. Many years ago, my parents hoped I would follow in their footsteps and venture into business or finance. They initially wanted me to pursue an undergraduate degree in business administration, but somewhere in grade school and high school, someone convinced me that crunching numbers was beyond my capacity. This changed in business school. Exceptional instructors, dedicated effort and a supportive cohort helped me overcome the limiting mindset I had developed over the years. Consider it an achievement unlocked!

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? It’s difficult to choose one because all the best moments in my MBA experience so far are the little ordinary things like sharing meaningful conversations with classmates and new friends over coffee, engaging in class discussions that result in a eureka moment, or simply dissecting business strategy cases. I’ve made it a point to review at least one case daily, even though I no longer have a strategy class. Reading through these cases, I feel a deep sense of flow. It’s not just an education—it’s a meditation.

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