Silvana Shepherd Chuquiure

ESADE Business School

“Introvert, feminist, pragmatic spirit and gentle soul.”

Hometown: Lima, Peru / San José, Costa Rica

Fun fact about yourself:  Part of a select group of top 1% listeners of Bad Bunny according to Spotify.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Universidad de Lima, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? I was working at GSK for the last five years. Before doing the MBA, I was the HR Effectiveness and Quality Lead for the Americas HR Shared Services Hub, based out of Costa Rica.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Amazon Web Services (AWS) for their HR Leadership Development Program (HRLDP) in London.

Where will you be working after graduation? I will go back to AWS for the full-time HRLDP in London.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: I was a recipient of a Merit Scholarship and Excellence Award for Women Leaders in 2022 and an active member of the Esade Tech Club.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? My proudest academic moment in the MBA was getting honours in Finance. Coming from an HR background, I hadn’t had any exposure to this area of expertise nor did I feel like I had a financial muscle developed so it was particularly special for me. Shoutout to Professor Gloria Batllori who had a way to make cold-calling fun and exciting.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I hold dearest in my professional career is not a specific milestone, but a personal outcome of it. Over the years, I’ve had the luck of working across various roles and for diverse markets like Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, the US and Canada. As a result of my day-to-day job, I have been able to create meaningful relationships with my colleagues, many of whom I call friends today. This is what makes me most happy about my career – the personal enrichment that these relationships have provided and will hopefully keep on giving.

Why did you choose this business school? Esade was the only school I applied to and it was a no brainer for many reasons. First, I was influenced by my older sister, who is a Esade alum (FT MBA 2018). Hearing about the life-changing impact Esade had on her personally and professionally gave me clear insight of what to expect. Another dealbreaker for me was Barcelona. All my adult life, I had viewed this city as paradise and the idea of living in such a fun and beautiful city was always in my bucket list. Finally, what sealed the deal for me was the flexibility that Esade provided to curate my own MBA experience. They allowed me to determine how international I wanted to go, how long I wanted the program to be, and the types of experiences I wanted – whether it be from electives, internships, exchanges, study treks. As someone who really values her own independence, I had the power to create my own academic mix which I loved.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Hard to pick just one. For me, Pedro Biel, Gloria Batllori, and Ana Valenzuela stand out. They not only possessed great technical expertise in their respective fields, but also infused their classes with their authentic personalities and engaging anecdotes. Their ability to blend knowledge with humour not only made it an intellectually stimulating but an enjoyable learning experience for me.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? I would say that the class that I enjoyed the most was an elective called Racial Injustice. The guest speakers were top notch and the facilitation by Naomi Williams and Rita Mota were also fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the discussions we had on the History of Color and the case studies around the concept of intersectionality. The discussions were very candid and they allowed us to be vocally self-critical about our biases and privileges. While not a typical MBA subject, it was a refreshing conversation to have within the context of our diverse education.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? It’s difficult to choose just one, but the Sunset Gala holds a special place in my heart. This event marked the end of our core year and served as a farewell before many of us left Barcelona to embark on our summer internships and full-time jobs. Set against a beautiful backdrop of an abbey in the Catalonian mountains at sunset, it was a memorable evening to celebrate us.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Not sure if it’s the biggest myth around Esade, but I really feel that Esade gets the balance right between academic rigor and enjoyment. The collection of unique individuals in this cohort was amazing, which translated into a great energy or as they say a great collaborative spirit.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Barcelona is just such a cool and authentic city – I will never get tired of saying this. This is a special place where people work to live and not the other way around. I feel very lucky to have lived in a place where enjoying life is in the core of people’s existence. I particularly enjoyed strolling around my neighborhood, Sant Antoni, and wandering aimlessly around the Gothic Quarter. I also developed an addiction for Vermut, Albariño, and arroz negro – foreseeing many visits to Barcelona in my future.

What surprised you the most about business school? I keep going back to the basics – the people for me. I came to Esade to study and have a unique life experience in Barcelona. I knew I would make friends, but I did not think I would form connections so close to my heart.

What is one thing you did during the application process that gave you an edge at the school you chose? Reflecting on my application process, I realized I solely relied on my sister’s insights as an Esade alumni. My advice would be, if you are interested about a particular school, talk to as many people as you can about the program because there are so many different and sometimes opposing perspectives you can gather – both the good and the bad. On paper, the process can seem like a lot and a little bit intimidating, so I would just talk to people to simplify the process so you can focus your efforts and find room for flexibility in the process.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? There are two people in the MBA that have been with me since Day 1 and have my complete admiration: my roommates and closest friends, Joscelyn Bivins and Karen Robles. Josc is passionate, driven and witty, bringing an infectious energy and humor to every moment (be on the lookout for her Grand Speech for our graduation). Her genuine openness towards others is remarkable and I feel fortunate to have shared the same section and countless experiences with her. Kars is passionate, authentic and smart. She is a burst of colour and her never-ending energy is unmatched by anybody else I’ve ever met. Her depth and sensitivity also continue to impress me. During the MBA, we not only lived together, but also ventured to London for our summer internships at Amazon. I have learned so much from them and I am so envious of the people who get to have them close in the future. These two are definitely are going places.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Now that I am wrapping up my MBA experience and going back to work, I would love to get involved with an NGO and give back to the community, specifically in my own country. ESADE has a nice program with alumni, Giving-back Consultant Volunteering, which I’d like to look into in the near future.

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

“Silvana’s journey from Peru to Costa Rica started with a move from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), exemplifying her commitment and adaptability. What began as a temporary international assignment in 2019 has evolved into an indefinite stay, a testament to the strength of her profile, outstanding professional performance, and promising prospects.

Her international exposure is truly remarkable, shaped by her passion for languages (she speaks 4 languages fluently), a three-year stint in Houston (USA), an academic exchange at the University of Salamanca, and extensive travels spanning over 25 countries. These experiences, coupled with more than six years of full-time professional engagement, have molded her into a well-rounded individual ready to contribute effectively to an MBA program.

Silvana’s dedication to personal and professional growth is evident. Prior to embarking on her MBA studies at ESADE, she strategically refined her skills. Notably, she focused on enhancing her public speaking abilities, turning her introverted side into an analytical strength. Her straight-up communication and practical problem-solving style are standout features of her career journey.

An intelligent and emotionally developed individual, Silvana upholds strong values and consistently pursues the right path. Her commitment to quality work, coupled with a human touch, sets her apart as a dedicated and passionate professional. Noteworthy is her ability to maintain close relationships despite geographical distances, emphasizing her personal strength and resilience.

Beyond her personal achievements, Silvana’s international career is a success story, marked by technical know-how, leadership, and global exposure. Her commitment and excellence make her a valuable player in any professional setup. She’s been a big supporter of the Esade community, helping classmates prep for interviews at Amazon Web Services and strongly collaborating with Esade careers.

Throughout the application process, Silvana demonstrated maturity and clarity in articulating her life project. Her enthusiasm, combined with a genuine curiosity for her chosen subjects, is particularly evident in group sessions where she thrives and contributes significantly.

In conclusion, I believe Silvana’s inclusion in the MBA program at ESADE would not only enrich her own career but also contribute positively to the academic community. It was truly a pleasure to support her during the application and decision-making process. She is a truly strong candidate for the Best & Brightest and I have no doubt she will excel in the future.

Robinson Jose Ruiz
Associate Director of Recruitment & Admissions
Colombia, Ecuador, Central America & Venezuela

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