Luisa Arce

HEC Paris

“I am a Colombian woman with all the joy and flavor from my region.”

Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I buy kid’s shoes… I have small feet.

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidad del Rosario, Finance and International Trade

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Sura Investment Management | Buy Side Research Associate

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of HEC Paris’ MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What motivated my decision to be part of HEC Paris’ MBA was the practical component, such as the two-day Outdoor Leadership Seminar, and the opportunity to be part of the organization of the MBA Tournament (MBAT). I appreciate the opportunity to put into practice the concepts learned. Also, I look forward to participating in The Executive Committee (TEC), which will allow me to learn from people with different backgrounds and grow as a leader through coaching and peer advisory, another unique platform that you will find just at HEC.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at HEC Paris? As I am very excited to arrive at Jouy-en-Josas for my MBA journey, I started to follow the official HEC Paris MBA Instagram to see what people at campus are doing and imagine some of the activities that await me in the coming months. So, I can say that I am very excited about the Finance Club, Consulting Club, Private Equity Club, and Venture Capital Club, as it will help me to further expand my network and industry knowledge and give me invaluable exposure to critical recruitment opportunities in Europe. I am also truly excited to be part of the Luxury Club. Having seen activities they take part in, such as the visit to the champagne vineyard in France, and the visit to headquarters of luxury brands is what thrilled the most.

HEC Paris is just 17 kilometers from Paris. What do you see as the best part of earning your MBA so close to Paris?  I have not had the opportunity to visit Paris. However, seeing as Paris is known as the city of lights – and having seen all the glow and glamorous in movies and shows – it makes my heart fill with illusions. I just can’t wait to get there and eat some croissants and baguettes. At the same time, the forest and the lake at campus is the perfect space to concentrate and be focus for the challenge of the MBA journey, and to connect with nature. ln the end, you have the best of both worlds when you need it, knowing that HEC Paris is just 40 min away from Paris.

Historically, over 90% of HEC Paris’ MBA students hail from outside France. Why is exposure to global diversity so critical to business success? Having worked with people from five different nationalities has taught me the importance of diversity within teams. Diverse teams, not only in gender but also in nationalities, backgrounds, and experiences, have the ability of provide innovative and strong solutions to problems. An example of this involves the sector in which I work: investments. An investment thesis is good and works to the extent that the risks are mapped, and decisions are made to the exhibition you want to have them. Being part of a diverse team allows different perspectives to be debated and challenged, allowing for a stronger thesis.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My professional career has been one of my most important achievements. Both of my parents were the first professionals in their families, and one of my goals has been to continue and enhance that legacy. However, the achievement that has contributed most to my personal and professional growth has been to overcome stuttering. This has taught me values such as resilience, never giving up, and managing frustration. Although it was not an easy process – and it is something that I keep fighting against each day – I believe that it has made me a more empathetic person.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Apart from getting a leap in my career, to become a professional with international reach, which will help me to have a successful MBA experience, I will have shared and made friends from all over the world. Having the opportunity to share with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences will have a determining impact on my leadership style.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into HEC Paris’s MBA program? Making the decision to do an MBA as a Latin American woman is not an easy one. It is a highly competitive process, and it requires an effort of time, resources, and having all the support from people around you, family, friends and even colleagues. That is not new for anyone, but the important thing is that you must want it so badly and so deeply that you can overcome all the obstacles and frustrations that this kind of process can bring to your life. Never give up on your dream of being part of one of the most important business schools in the world. Besides that, my more important advice is to not miss the opportunity to see this process as one of self-awareness, to know why and what you want to do it and have the right motivations. Never forget that it is important that a business school wants you, but also that you truly fit with them.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE HEC PARIS MBA CLASS OF 2025