Mafalda Oom Torres

IESE Business School, University of Navarra

“A caring mother and wife eager to lead others to make the world a better place.”

Hometown: Oeiras, Lisbon

Fun Fact About Yourself: While in Alaska, I sprayed a dog with pepper spray thinking it was a wild bear.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Bsc in Economics – Catolica Lisbon School of Business and Economics

Msc in Finance – Nova Business School

Msc in International Management – Nova Business School and Vienna University of Economics and Business

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Junior Associate at McKinsey and Company

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The case study methodology will give me the opportunity to learn from other companies’ achievements and failures. It will give me the possibility to place myself in other CEOs’ shoes and make critical decisions in a perfectly set classroom environment. Furthermore, discussing real-life examples is, in my perspective, the best method to get the most out of such a diversified group of people.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the school’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? IESE’s strong case study methodology, together with the inspiring feedback from current students and alumni, were definitely two of the most important factors that led me to choose this school. When sharing their experiences, MBA students very often highlighting not only IESE’s competitive MBA curriculum but also their family-oriented culture based on the right values – both of which are very important for me. Furthermore, the entire admission process at IESE was one of the best admission experiences I have ever had. Their constant concern for my family needs gave me the confidence to start this adventure of doing an MBA, not only with my husband but also with our one-year-old child.

What club or activity excites you most at this school? From the wide range of clubs that one can find at IESE, the Women in Business Club, partners club and hiking club are the top three that I identified with the most. The Women in Business Club is crucial to support and empower other young women business leaders to make an impact in the world. As I learned from an IESE professor while researching the school, society lacks women leaders. The Partners Club is crucial to involving my whole family in this adventure that we will be starting. And finally, the Hiking Club is our family’s passion. We spent our honeymoon trekking the Alps in late spring and there is nothing we like better, as a family, than a hike in the mountains.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my biggest professional accomplishments was definitely the opportunity to work directly with top executives from our different clients. In particular, I had a six month experience in a developing country where I had the opportunity to make an impact not only financially but also socially.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?My post-MBA goal is to return to McKinsey and become an Engagement Manager specializing in the Digital Transformation sector, where I would be serving clients in transforming the way they operate by integrating digital solutions in all areas of their business. Building on my experience, IESE will help me to capitalize on my strengths, not only through the share of experiences from its diverse group of people, but also through the MBA’s academic curriculum.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? London Business School

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? It was “How was I going to manage the MBA with a family at home” – which is something for which I still do not have a complete answer.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? At McKinsey, every year we added several MBA graduates from leading schools worldwide. As such, we have many different experiences to learn and choose from. For me, one of my motivations to pursue an MBA is to take some time to reflect on what kind of a leader I want to become – which is something that we end up not having the time for in our day-to-day. As such, a two year program was crucial. Furthermore, the school’s values and culture were also crucial when deciding which MBA programs to apply for. I wanted to be a part of a new family, together with my husband, daughter and new friends, and make a positive impact on society. Finally, the classroom setting was also very important in my decision-making. The case study methodology is, in my perspective, the best way to get the most out of a MBA classroom.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? My defining moment was the summer of 2016 when I joined McKinsey. My subsequent three years at the firm gave me the tools to capitalize on three strengths that I will find crucial to succeed during the MBA and become a successful business leader in the Digital Transformation sector: systematic problem solving, strong interpersonal skills, and a good base knowledge on the topic.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2022 AT IESE BUSINESS SCHOOL