Meet the Rice Jones MBA Class of 2018

Maria Clara Leiva

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Enthusiastic and determined Venezuelan marketer, curious about cultures, passionate about dancing and with a contagious laugh

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love post-it’s as I love shoes. I have them in different colors, shapes, fashions and sizes.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Bachelor of Engineering, Electronics Specialization – Universidad Simon Bolivar – Venezuela

Master of Marketing – EOI Spain/UCAB Venezuela

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Nestle Purina Latinamerica – Regional Brand Manager (Multiple brands)

Nestle Purina Colombia – Brand Manager (Multiple brands)

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was to be able to grow in a company, work in three different countries, and finally get to have responsibilities for a complete region — Latin America — that is promoting the growth in most of the segments as a whole makes me really proud.  The most special accomplishment so far is having successfully and simultaneously launched one product in five countries with a fully-aligned strategy across all markets with tailored local executions based on each country’s consumers, retail environment and regulatory landscape.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? To earn an MBA full time is a life-changing decision that requires assessing the right timing and the right fit.

In regards to timing, I feel our own definition of success can shift and evolve as we learn from our experiences. That is why I suggest looking at timing beyond the obvious career path timing. Instead, I would encourage you to ask yourself whether the MBA fits within your current personal life and your definition of success at the moment.

As per the right fit with the school, you have to approach it with the understanding that you will become a member of a strong culture that will shape you not only while you are a student, but will also follow you throughout your entire professional life. You will be associated with the school, its values, and its character. So I suggest you assess “right fit” by ensuring that your values and educational priorities match those of the school.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? It was Rice’s culture and entrepreneurial mindset, along with and getting to know alumni.

As a small program faculty members know who you are from day one. Through the entire admission process, the staff knew my background and supported me in every step. It was a one-on-one relationship. This personalized approach provides a custom experience for every student as they guide you throughout the selection of curriculum which will ultimately shape the MBA’s impact in your career.

It was also the Entrepreneurial mindset. The school is at the top of the national rankings on Entrepreneurship. To have an entrepreneurial mindset, within a large company or in your own business is key for sustainability and success.

Finally, it was getting to know alumni. To see their involvement and care for the school, their memories, and their willingness to help, confirmed the image I had of the school.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? My ideal job is one that goes beyond looking at a product as something that satisfies a need but rather ensures that that product actually makes a difference in people’s lives. Businesses and consumers are my passion, but I am confident that I can translate all my experience into marketing products or services that make a positive imprint in the world. From technology to medicine and education, there are so many options that can lead to meaningful and mindful marketing of products and strategies for companies.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? In the immersion week, we had to share our thoughts on this with our core team. I hope they could consider me a trustworthy friend due to my values; that I brought something different that made us stronger as a team; and that through studying, networking and having fun, they saw how this experience made me grow and that they were an important part of that process.