Paula Andrea Gómez Alexander

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Curious explorer, I seek knowledge to make a positive impact.”

Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was the junior carnival queen in my hometown four times.

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidad del Rosario, Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Deloitte, Senior Consultant – Forensic Services

What makes Seattle such a great place to earn an MBA? Seattle offers a remarkable setting for earning an MBA due to its thriving business ecosystem. The city serves as a hub for various industries, notably technology (Amazon and Microsoft), along with strong presences in aerospace, healthcare, retail, and biotechnology. This diverse business landscape provides MBA students an opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world business scenarios, network with industry leaders, and pursue internships and job placements across a wide array of sectors. The proximity to such prominent companies not only enhances academic learning but also offers invaluable practical experiences that can significantly elevate career trajectories post-graduation. Finally, the breathtaking landscapes and close access to nature are a definitive plus!

Aside from your location and classmates, what was the key part of Washington Foster’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The strong sense of community and collaborative culture at Foster was something that greatly appealed to me from the moment I started my MBA search. Through numerous conversations and interactions with career management, alumni, upperclassmen, and members of the recruitment team, I consistently felt their genuine care and desire to support my success. Since day one, I have received unwavering support and encouragement. This sense of community and belonging is something that has remained constant and has actually grown stronger as time goes by.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Foster? It would have to be a tie between the Foster Consulting Society (FCS) and our fall quarter core Finance class. In the Finance class, we learned so much about finance and its different applications in the real world, and while it was tough and challenging, I discovered a love for finance that I wasn’t aware I had. As for FCS, I honestly wouldn’t have survived (and actually thrived) the consulting recruiting process without their support and guidance. From the casing academy to one-on-one practices (even during the winter break), and especially the mentors’ advice during times of uncertainty, I feel that we were as prepared as possible to succeed in the consulting recruitment process.

Washington Foster operates off a philosophy of We>Me. Give us an example of how you’ve seen that among your classmates so far. At Foster, we are assigned teams every quarter, and with these teams, we collaborate and work together on team assignments. At the end of the fall quarter and the beginning of the winter quarter, most of us (myself included) were dealing with the stress of applying and interviewing for summer internships. However, I never felt pressured or judged by my teammates whenever I had to prioritize recruiting over academics. Both my fall and winter teams were extremely supportive and understanding of my needs, celebrated every success with me, and were there for me during the difficult times.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The proudest moment of my career occurred when I was selected to co-lead the largest project our team had undertaken, despite having only a month’s experience as a Senior Consultant. In this role, I had to oversee a team of over 20 professionals located in different geographies and working across various functional areas of the firm. What made this project unique, aside from its scale, was its nature as a highly sensitive government-led investigation into one of the country’s largest and most well-known companies. While it presented significant challenges, after a year of hard work and dedication, we successfully concluded the investigation to the satisfaction of our client. This experience not only demonstrated my ability to handle complex obstacles and challenges but also reinforced my confidence as a professional and leader.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: Placing third in the fall quarter case competition with my team was a significant achievement. We had just one week to prepare a comprehensive business case covering financial, accounting, marketing, and strategic perspectives, and then present it to a large audience. Public speaking has always been challenging for me. With the support of my team and the confidence in our well-prepared pitch, I managed to overcome my fears and deliver a successful presentation in front of faculty, classmates, second-year students, and alumni. Conquering my fears was reason enough to feel proud; finishing third was just the cherry on top!

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My most cherished experience as an MBA has been meeting a close-knit group of friends who have become like family to me. From navigating the rigorous coursework to navigating life’s ups-and-downs, we’ve been each other’s support system. Together, we’ve celebrated victories, overcome challenges, and created long-lasting memories that go beyond our academic and professional pursuits. This sense of genuine friendship and support has not only enriched my MBA experience but has also shaped me personally and professionally. Knowing that I have this incredible support network by my side has made every moment of this journey truly meaningful and memorable.

DON’T MISS: MEET WASHINGTON FOSTER’S MBA CLASS OF 2025