Meet the MBA Class of 2025: Valentina Padilla Garza, TCU Neeley

Valentina Padilla Garza

“I am a motivated, driven and persistent professional that works hard to get what she wants and hopes to make a change in the world”

Hometown: Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have five dogs.

Undergraduate School and Major: Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, Business Administration with Double Minor in Finance and Business Intelligence

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Opal Financial Group, Investor Relations Associate

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:
So far, my biggest accomplishment has been landing my first job with an American company during the pandemic. With so many layoffs during COVID, I recognized that this was going to be challenging, and was delighted to secure my first job (remotely) with Opal Financial Group which is based in New York City.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?:
I’ve always wanted to launch my own company involved in sustainability or in the non-profit sector, and an MBA will provide me with the fundamental knowledge, skills, tools, and resources necessary to manage a business and expand it. An MBA from a program like Neeley also provides access to the right networks. I am looking for mentors and insights from people who have launched their own companies.

What word best describes the TCU MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far?
Life changing. This may sound like a cliché, but the people I’ve met at TCU have changed my life already. They have not only impacted me academically and professionally, but also personally. TCU brings together people from so many diverse backgrounds who challenge me to see the world differently. It’s an inclusive environment that continues to broaden my perspective.

Aside from classmates, what was the key part of TCU’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?
A key aspect of TCU’s MBA is the opportunity to tailor academics to individual post-graduation career goals. For me, sustainability, energy and nonprofits are key areas and sectors of exploration, and I look forward to choosing electives related to them. TCU also offers an Energy Certificate, and for nonprofits the entrepreneurship track is available. This academic differentiation was important to my decision to choose TCU.

What is your favorite course as an MBA and/or favorite professor and why?
I have two favorite courses: Marketing Management with Dr. Houston, and Current Events in Energy Analytics with Dr. Clarke. Dr. Houston is passionate about his subject and makes me want to continue to learn… plus, the case studies he assigns are very interesting and applicable. For the Current Events in Energy Analytics class, Dr. Clarke is extremely well-informed about current events and trends, and since some of us are just starting to be exposed to the industry, he has been extremely helpful in providing the necessary context and fundamentals of how the industry works.

What club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at TCU?
TCU is good at exposing us to high level company executives in small, intimate settings. I recently attended a C-level Confidential event with Cami Miller, Vice President of Stakeholder Relations for Satori Capital. Eleven of us were able to talk with her directly about the industry and her job. She was gracious enough to answer our questions and share advice about how we can make the most out of our MBA experience. It was a very enriching experience, and I look forward to attending more C-level Confidential events to learn more about being in the C-suite and the best to get there.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far?
Pursuing a career in the energy industry. My background is not in energy, and this scares me a bit. However, we need to make a change in the world if there is to be a world to give our children. The TCU MBA and the Energy Certificate are great vehicles to land a job in the industry upon graduation.

What surprised you the most about business school?
The importance of networking. I knew before starting the MBA that networking was important, but I had no idea to what degree it was vital. I have come to understand that it is key to not only get more career opportunities, especially being an international student, but also for personal growth. Leveraging networking opportunities effectively has become one of my top priorities, as it enriches who me personally, and provides exposure to people from different backgrounds that challenge and enrich my way of thinking.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list post your MBA?
My top bucket list items are:
• Work for a couple of years as an ESG consultant in a big company like NextEra Energy or Exxon.
• Launch two start-ups, which is my dream. The first will be focused on sustainability and the second will be a nonprofit organization, hopefully that I can establish in my home country.

DON’T MISS MEET TCU NEELEY’S MBA CLASS OF 2025