Ana Paula Schleske Oliveros

Babson College, F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business

“Dynamic, growth-oriented, and people person. Determined to positively impact my surroundings and building community.”

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Fun fact about yourself: I started practicing yoga, initially drawn to its trendiness. Surprised I was when what began as a teenager hobby shifted into one of my deepest passions; and eventually evolved into the desire to teach. That is why I am a Yoga Teacher with over 500 hours of Teacher training.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Universidad Iberoamericana, B.S. in Industrial Engineering.

London School of Business and Finance, Certificate in Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Finance. (Executive Education).

Universidad del Distrito Federal, Real Estate Appraisals Specialist.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Tierra y Espacio S.C., a specialized Real Estate Consulting, Services and Appraisals firm based in Mexico City. My last role was Chief Operating Officer.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Since I did the One-year MBA program, I was studying during the summer of 2023. However, I am currently in a Spring 2024 internship at ARX Urban, a Real Estate Investment and Development firm located in Boston, MA.

Where will you be working after graduation? I am currently evaluating opportunities within the Real Estate space.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: (Include school awards and honors)

* One-Year MBA cohort co-president (Elected) – I proudly served as the One-Year MBA cohort representative, elected by my peers. In this role, I implemented mechanisms to gather feedback on faculty, school matters, and other relevant topics. During our weekly meetings with Academic Services, we addressed these issues. Additionally, I organized events to foster cohort unity, including pizza lunches, yoga sessions, a lively September 16 ‘Fiesta’ at my house, and gatherings at restaurants or bars.

* Babson MBA Fellowship (Full Tuition)

* President Babson Graduate Running Club – Leading the Running club with various events such as the B.A.A. Half Marathon and the Spartan Race at Fenway Park, securing sponsorships and keeping the community engaged through exercising.

* VP of Finance Real Estate Club – Keeping track of the club’s budget and finances, effectively allocating funds to events and planning.

* VP of Finance and Operations Family Business Club – Organizing events, such as the Babson Family Business Summit, a Wine Tasting event, and various family business conferences. Keeping track of the club’s budget, effectively allocating funds to events and planning.

* VP of Events Latin American Club – Planned and organized various events, including a Welcoming Party to engage new students in the community, a lively Halloween celebration, securing discounts for season skiing, and gatherings at the Boston Timeout market – all these to build community and stronger bonds.

* Beta Gamma Sigma – The International Business Honor Society that recognizes and honors the top performing students from around the world in business schools accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? It was definitely helping to build community across Babson. I did this by keeping the One-Year MBA cohort connected through event organization and facilitating their discussions with Faculty, or by stepping into leadership roles across various student-led clubs. Particularly, I am proud of my role as president of the Babson Graduate Running Club. I embraced the role during the summer as a One-year MBA, finding myself without a preceding president or board members willing to continue from the last year. This club has been one of the hardest to run, largely because students often prioritize industry-specific events. Plus, at the beginning it was very difficult to attract people interested in leadership roles. However, my team and I ultimately succeeded in forming a community of over 100 members, fostering networking opportunities with students, partners, and alumni alike; creating bonds that go beyond industries and names or nationalities, it is about sharing a common passion for doing sports. We mainly achieved this target by securing sponsorships in fun places to work out, and discovering strategies of what worked and didn’t work to motivate students.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? It was shifting the culture of the last company where I was working at, infusing it with more energy and dynamism. In addition, I was able to get the team onboard to work towards a common goal while listening and learning from everyone in the team. Eventually these actions led to boosting growth and attracting and retaining more customers – ultimately driving profitability. However, what I am most proud of is the development of the people in my team and how much they taught me.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Babson primarily for its focus on entrepreneurship and the community. The emphasis on being resourceful, not just in thought but in action, resonated deeply with me. Babson presented an environment where testing ideas and embodying resonant leadership were foundational principles. The school’s reputation for fostering entrepreneurial minds and its commitment to practical, hands-on learning experiences were the ideal setting to develop the skills necessary for navigating the complexities of being an entrepreneurial leader. Most importantly. all the people that I spoke with were extremely friendly and wanted to help, this community captivated me.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Jorge Tarzijan, his class was Business Model Innovation in a Digital Economy. Not only the content of the class and the way it was organized was amazing, but the dynamism, the questions posed by the Professor, and the way he presented his lectures and led the business case discussions was amazing. On top of that, all the business cases were very recent. He made us think beyond what was obvious and the business model innovation class had a huge focus on strategy, which was very enriching. He was not only remarkable in class but also readily approachable, always open to engaging in lunchtime discussions on a wide array of topics. Additionally, this class perfectly reflected Babson’s entrepreneurial spirit, placing a strong emphasis on business model innovation.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Hard to decide between Persuasive Business Presentations and Leader Development. When I joined Babson, I knew that I wanted to develop my soft skills and I have learned so much from these courses and professors. These were not your typical speaking or leadership courses; they went beyond my expectations, prompting deep reflection and greater self-awareness. They also encouraged me to be more mindful of myself, from body language to the nuances of my speech, enriching my personal and professional growth in unexpected ways.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Game night was one of my favorite school traditions. This consists of attending a Boston Red Socks game, an event that draws both current students and alumni together. During the event, I had the unexpected pleasure to meet Mr. Stephen Spinelli, Babson President, and had a memorable conversation with he and his wife. His genuine interest in listening to my story, as well as those of my peers, was truly surprising and heartwarming. Additionally, I had the chance to connect with some alumni and students from various graduate programs, all while enjoying a classic hot dog and enjoying the baseball game.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Babson College is only for entrepreneurs or people who want to work in family business.

Even though there is a good focus on entrepreneurship it is not only about that. The school’s mission extends far beyond starting ventures. It is fundamentally about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset—teaching students to think like entrepreneurial leaders, equipped to apply the principles of entrepreneurship in various contexts. This approach emphasizes being resourceful and driving change, whether in startups, established companies, social ventures, or within one’s own career.

What surprised you the most about business school? How much punctuality mattered. Coming from a country where being late is “expected”, this was a shock for many of my classmates. It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it, but I eventually embraced it and love respecting other’s time. This shift in perspective was not only a lesson in punctuality, but also in valuing and understanding differing cultural norms around time management. The diversity of backgrounds and ways of thinking I encountered proved to be incredibly enriching. I broadened my perspectives and opened my mind and eyes to new ways of thinking and understanding the world.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire all of my classmates, each bringing their unique journeys and strengths to the class. Yet, if I had to choose just one individual, Iman Bendarkawi stands out. More than just an amazing human being, Iman is very smart and has a good sense of humor, she questions and opens discussions while respecting others’ opinions without judging. She truly embodies the Babson spirit, generously sharing it with everyone around her. Her leadership in student clubs has been remarkable, she serves as co-president of the PE/VC club and her enthusiasm for participating in various events, supporting others, and always doing so with a smile, is truly inspiring. Iman’s positive impact and unwavering support have made a significant difference in our community.

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

• Creating positive impact and fostering greater equality within the Real Estate sector.
• Starting my own business venture and having a social focus and impact with it.

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

“As Faculty Director of the MBA program in which Ana Paula is enrolled – Babson’s One Year MBA – I have direct contact and interaction with all of Babson’s MBA students. Ana Paula was elected one of two Section Representatives by her cohort within the first week of classes, and she immediately – as in, the afternoon she was elected – set up a digital forum for her student colleagues to document and voice issues they wanted her to raise to me (as Faculty Director) and to the College’s administration. Following her election, I met and was in close contact with Ana Paula (and her colleague Ryan Carello, the other elected Section Rep) consistently throughout the first half of her year at Babson. Ana Paula epitomized what a student leader should be: she made it a point to learn and understand what her fellow students needed, and was a strong and powerful advocate for their needs. Her contributions directly (and positively!) impacted her fellow students’ experiences at Babson. Ana Paula’s leadership and support of her class made her stand out among a class of very impressive MBA students.

In the classroom, Ana Paula’s contributions were thoughtful, measured, and ultimately impactful: she is the kind of MBA student professors love to have in their class. When she speaks, people listen, and her words and contributions change how people think. Ana Paula expressed a strong interest in and passion for the course content. The courses had a significant emphasis on analytical capability, class contributions and participation, and the ability to communicate complex ideas in professional settings – and Ana Paula excelled in all areas. Academically, Ana Paula was one of the best MBA students of her year.”

Gary Ottely, Ph. D
Faculty Director, Full-Time MBA Programs

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024