Alejandra del Campo Farro

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“Peruvian tree hugger using business, law and science to change the world.”

Hometown: Lima, Peru

Fun fact about yourself: I never do meal prep because I love cooking so much that I look forward to it every day!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Universidad de Lima, Bachelor of Laws

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?  COELVISAC, Lima Peru

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? McKinsey & Company, Washington D.C.

Where will you be working after graduation? McKinsey & Company in Washington D.C.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Co-President, Latin American Business Association
• Second Place, Penn State Smeal College of Business MBA Sustainability Case Competition sponsored by IBM
• Third Place, Cornell Case Competition for Family Ownership
• UNC Kenan-Flagler Fellowship awarded in recognition of academic distinction, exceptional work experience and outstanding leadership
• Nixon and Josephine Taylor Ellis MBA Fellow
• E.O. International Peace Scholar, awarded in recognition of demonstrated commitment to peace-building and sustainable development

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The activity I am most proud of that I participated in during business school is my involvement in the two case competitions mentioned above. The first competition was the Cornell Family Business competition in New York. It was the first time I participated in an event like this, and my UNC team was fabulous! I had the opportunity to use my legal knowledge in the case to discuss the actions of the family business and the veto rights established as part of the actions to be considered. One of the judges mentioned that no other team considered this in their solution!

Likewise, in the Penn State Sustainability Case Competition, I used my legal knowledge again, this time related to the regulation of carbon credits. I proposed changes and solutions to reduce double counting of these credits, which occurs when more than one party (for example, the government of the country where remediation actions are carried out, and a private company that buys those credits to offset its emissions) registers that compensation as their own. For me, it is very rewarding to be able to combine my legal knowledge with business and the environment!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I am most proud of in my career is the work I did at Coelvisac with the “Arena Verde” (or “Green Sand”) project. This project comprised seven electricity distribution projects in different areas of the Peruvian coast (Tumbes, Piura, La Libertad, Ancash, Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna), and my job was to manage all these projects and obtain all the licenses and permits necessary to bring electricity to these areas where communities did not have access to this basic service and where there was enormous potential for agricultural development.

The regulation of electricity distribution in Peru is quite complicated because the major electricity distributors are state-owned companies that do not have the necessary resources to expand their distribution areas, and there are many restrictions for private distribution companies to enter and distribute electricity in the technical areas of responsibility of state distribution companies. This work involved a lot of contact with state regulatory entities and regional governments in these areas, but it was very gratifying to be part of this incredible change.

I feel extremely proud of this experience as the effects of bringing electricity to these areas not only contribute to the sustainable development of the communities living there but also represent a significant advancement in the care of the Peruvian environment.

Why did you choose this business school? For me, the opportunity to pursue an MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler while simultaneously pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Management at Duke was a match made in heaven. As an international student, having the experience of attending two prestigious universities in the United States for a dual degree has been a dream. The courses offered in the Energy and Sustainable Enterprise concentrations at UNC Kenan-Flagler definitely caught my attention. After talking to other dual-degree students, the decision to apply was clear to me. (It’s a lot of fun attending two schools with rival basketball teams!!).

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor was Ed Maydew. I took his Taxes and Business Strategy class during my last semester at UNC Kenan-Flagler, and Ed made the class extremely engaging and enjoyable. To be honest, after taking at least three tax classes during my time in law school in Peru, I wasn’t sure if I would really like the class in business school. I wasn’t a fan of taxes (I’m still not!), but I knew that I wanted and needed to learn about taxes in America to strengthen my business knowledge. I was pleasantly surprised by Ed’s class! He made learning about taxes very interesting, sharing many personal anecdotes and being very funny in class. I never thought I would have such a good time in a tax clas,s but Ed made it possible!

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course during the MBA was Strategy and Sustainability taught by Professor Olga Hawn. It is extremely important for future business leaders to be trained in concepts related to sustainability strategies, and this class was a very good introduction for those who do not have a foundation in these concepts. The cases we studied in class were super interesting, ranging from mining to chemicals and fashion. I loved listening to my classmates and their appreciation for these topics.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? The tradition at UNC Kenan-Flagler that I have enjoyed the most has been the “Carolina Casuals.” Every Thursday afternoon, we have a Carolina Casual hosted by one of the school’s clubs. It’s the perfect time to grab a beer and get to know more classmates! With the Latin American Business Association, we decorated the courtyard and invited everyone to enjoy Latin food. We also shared posters of influential Latinos around the world. Additionally, we had a salsa and bachata instructor, and many classmates were dancing; even our dean was dancing!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? This might sound trivial, but I think the only thing I would change is that I would have lived closer to school. I lived in Durham and commuted to Chapel Hill every day. It is not a very long commute; it takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes, but I think living closer would have allowed me to be more involved in some extracurricular activities. For example, there were some weekends where I did not participate in events to avoid the commute, either because Ubers are a bit scarce between Durham and Chapel Hill or because I really don’t like driving in the rain.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about UNC Kenan-Flagler is that it’s a school with little diversity. The truth is, we have many international students, and we always have exchange students from all over the world! I’ve been able to meet people from different countries like India, Italy, Argentina, and Japan. Additionally, the MBA Student Association cares a lot about promoting events where all international students can showcase a bit about their cultures, like the Around the World event that happened during the spring semester. Also, American students are always very open and eager to learn about our cultures and enjoy these events a lot.

What surprised you the most about business school? Definitely the academics. There is a myth that MBAs are very relaxed and people only go the business school to have fun and make connections. Although partially true, the reality is that especially the core courses were quite challenging for me, perhaps because I have a less quantitative background. I definitely learned a lot!

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Saili Raje. She is from Chicago and she is an accountant by profession but entered the MBA with a very specific goal of transitioning her career towards corporate sustainability strategy and renewable energy. It has been fantastic to collaborate with her at UNC Kenan-Flagler! We were together on the sustainability case competition team at Penn State, and her accounting background was extremely important in dealing with carbon credits accounting. Additionally, she was the president of the Net Impact club. Saili is amazing, and I feel extremely lucky to call her my friend!

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. I want to be the Minister of Energy and Mines of Peru someday.

2. I always want to work with a purpose and for the benefit of others. No matter the industry, I want my work to always have a positive impact on the lives of others.

What made Alejandra such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Given her background, Ale brought a unique perspective to our class discussions than most students, enriching our learning environment with diverse cultural insights, experiences and viewpoints. Her involvement in the mining industry, as evidenced by her class participation, has provided invaluable insights into the practical applications of sustainability principles within this sector.

Furthermore, Ale’s interpersonal skills have made her an indispensable member of the Class of 2024. Her friendly and down-to-earth personality made her stand out in our MBA class. She brought this unique aura and a remarkable soft touch that set her apart in the class.

With her warm and approachable demeanor, Ale effortlessly connects with students, faculty, and staff, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in our community. She consistently demonstrated empathy, compassion, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others in her class, which is demonstrated by her nomination for this recognition.

Needless to say, she did all of that while also achieving the highest grades! To conclude, not only is Ale an outstanding student but also a remarkable human being who deserves this award!”

Olga Hawn
Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Faculty Director of the Ackerman Center for Excellence in Sustainability

 

“When I think of Ale, one word immediately pops up in my head: Sparkle! Ale is a person who is always energetic, interesting and excited.

I got to know her early on in her MBA journey as I work closely with all our international students. She stood out immediately as she engaged fellow international classmates to contribute, she sets examples of community and inclusion, and all of this with a smile.

On a recent Global Immersion Elective (GIE) course to Zambia and Zimbabwe, Ale proved her leadership skills and showed an openness to new cultures and business etiquettes. No day went by where she didn’t sparkle. We all admired her for her positive attitude and willingness to help others.

She lives by our core values of integrity, inclusion, innovation and impact. And what an impact she made to the MBA class of 2024. Go Heels and Go Ale!”

Patricia Collins
Associate Director, MBA Programs, Global Programs

 

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