Pablo Martinez Pallares

China Europe International Business School

“Results-driven, curious, funny, and consultant at heart, trying to make an impact in the world.”

Hometown: Madrid, Spain

Fun fact about yourself: When I chose my Chinese name, I took my wife’s last name. In too many countries, the woman takes the man’s surname, this is my way of criticizing the old ways while bringing a smile to the people who ask me about it.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Comillas Pontifical University – ICAI School of Engineering – B.Sc. Electromechanical Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Deloitte Consulting – Strategy & Operations (Spain)

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Impact Intelligence (Shanghai, China)

Where will you be working after graduation? Impact Intelligence (Shanghai, China), a global impact consultancy firm using AI-powered tools to promote public good and sustainability.

I am also co-founding a pottery company with one of my MBA classmates, to bring heritage and innovation together in a very traditional industry.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:
Student Ambassador
Vice-President of the Management Consulting Club
International IESE & Roland Berger MBA Case Competition (28th edition) – Winner
CEIBS Education Fund & CEIBS Fellowship Recipient

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I wrote The Business Framework Pocketbook, a book compiling 100+ frameworks from early MBA courses on strategy, marketing, operations, and leadership. The book was intended to be a concise, accessible reference – rather than the impractical course slides – to which we could come back in the future for inspiration when faced with business problems and decisions to make. The book was a major success, printing more than 350 copies for our MBA and GEMBA students, alumni, and faculty.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My proudest achievement is the growth and success of the analysts and consultants I worked with. As a consultant, I used to take mentoring and training my team members very seriously. Their ongoing career progress and gratitude still make me excited and help remind me of the impact good people management has.

Why did you choose this business school? I selected CEIBS for its leading position in China and Asia. Before the MBA, I was decided to move to China, and CEIBS is the school that offers the deepest insights into the dynamic Chinese market while maintaining a global perspective. CEIBS culture, curriculum, and alumni network make it the best b-school to achieve a career switch to China.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Prof. Park, who taught us Marketing Management and Consumer Behavior, probably stands out as the most notable figure in my MBA journey. Her unique approach to case studies felt like an emotional roller coaster. When you thought you understood the case and you were on the right track, she would share a new way of applying marketing frameworks and concepts that totally changed your perspective and proved you wrong. She is the reason why I developed a keen interest in marketing, guiding my decision to pursue the marketing concentration at CEIBS.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course was Leadership and Acting, where we applied acting techniques to leverage our leadership potential, develop charisma and become more effective leaders. Taking a practical approach to psychology and communication science through acting and theatre certainly made this course the most enjoyable and interactive of my MBA experience at CEIBS.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite event at the business school was the annual Shanghai Night, a gala hosted by the student committee and the MBA office aboard a boat cruising the Huangpu River. It was definitely one of the best evenings of our MBA journey, full of emotions and laughter, where we remembered the best moments of the master’s program and were able to share moments with all our classmates and even members of the staff and faculty.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would engage in pro bono consulting projects for NGOs during less demanding periods of the MBA program, such as holidays or breaks. Recently, a professor suggested this idea to me as a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world contexts while contributing to meaningful causes. With my current commitments and responsibilities at my new job, I find myself unable to devote the necessary time and energy now. Still, going forward it is something I want to explore, and would recommend trying to future MBA candidates as well.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth of my school is that its cohort lacks diversity due to a high percentage of Chinese students. However, this misconception fails to recognize that diversity extends beyond cultural backgrounds and includes factors such as professional experiences, career aspirations, and educational backgrounds. Having experienced an exchange program at a very international business school but very focused on consulting, I’ve come to understand that diversity in perspectives and skill sets is essential for effective networking and learning. Therefore, I do consider CEIBS to be very diverse.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Shanghai is a very vibrant and convenient city, with plenty of opportunities to explore Chinese culture while still being one of the most international-friendly cities in China. I especially enjoyed being able to enjoy very traditional and affordable restaurants, while also having the chance from time to time to indulge myself with some proper western food (not always easy to find in other parts of the country).

What surprised you the most about business school? What surprised me the most about CEIBS is how diverse my classmates professional background was. I expected most of the cohort to have consulting or financial services background as it is the case in most European b-schools. I was happy to find out how open to other profiles CEIBS is, and how much I could learn from them.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire the most is Zhiyin Lou. She played a fantastic role as President of our Consulting Club, demonstrating amazing managerial skills, profound consulting knowledge, and a constant willingness to help her classmates. I had the chance to work with her in the Roland Berger-IESE competition, which we won, and in several courses during our MBA journey. Zhiyin’s dedication, accountability, and adeptness in managing responsibilities and deadlines set her apart as a model of excellence in our MBA cohort. Also, from her I got my Chinese surname.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
– Speaking at a renowned international conference or industry event
– Starting my own business

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

“Pablo has distinguished himself among over a thousand MBA students I’ve taught, not only standing out but also embodying the essence of merging theory with real-world application, especially in the domain of business as a force for good. His active participation in my courses—ranging from entrepreneurship to business and societal impacts—was highlighted by his insightful contributions and actions that extended beyond the classroom. His work included an internship with a social enterprise, providing data-driven insights on social issues to companies like the Bayer Foundation, culminating in a full-time position with the same organisation.

Moreover, Pablo’s contributions to the MBA community at CEIBS have been significant and varied. As vice president of the Management Consulting Club, he compiled a booklet of key concepts from the MBA curriculum and played a key role in a team that won a business case competition in Barcelona. His efforts as an ambassador promoting our school to Spanish-speaking prospects have substantially enriched the MBA community.

Pablo is notably constructive, a quality that sets him apart. Instead of merely pointing out flaws, he proactively suggests improvements. This was evident when he provided detailed feedback to the programme leadership and shared valuable insights gained from his exchange at INSEAD, highlighting areas for CEIBS to enhance its offerings. His approach not only demonstrates a commitment to the betterment of the programme but also a deep appreciation for the value of his educational experiences.

His ability to think critically, contribute to his community, and offer constructive feedback, combined with his practical achievements, underscores Pablo’s exceptional qualities. I am confident that these attributes will propel him to great heights in his future endeavours and make him a remarkable addition to the Class of 2024.”

Shameen Prashantham, PhD
Associate Dean (MBA)
China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

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