Camila Costa

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Business

“Empathetic leader committed to business impact, community, inclusion, and global innovation in media and entertainment.”

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fun fact about yourself: In addition to growing up in Buenos Aires, I lived abroad for four years in Prague, Czech Republic, and Muscat, Oman with my family. From exploring medieval castles in Europe to navigating bustling souks in the Middle East—and always staying connected to my Argentine roots—these experiences shaped my love for adventure, culture, and global perspectives.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Brigham Young University, BA in linguistics with a minor in translation and localization.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Medidata Solutions, Instrument Consultant

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Warner Bros. Discovery, Los Angeles, California

Where will you be working after graduation? Warner Bros. Discovery, Global Streaming Senior Project Manager

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Chief Belonging Officer, MBA Student Association
• Director of Marketing, MBA Faith and Belief at Work case competition
• VP of Communications, MBA Marketing Association
• VP of Advocacy and Inclusion, Women in Management
• MBA Student Mentor
• MBA Student Recruiter

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m most proud of my service as the director of marketing for the third annual MBA Faith and Belief at Work case competition at BYU Marriott. This year, we welcomed 16 MBA programs and a diverse group of sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Ford, Equinix, Accenture, and PwC. The event brought together people of different faiths—Christians, Orthodox Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Scientologists, and more—and created a space for meaningful conversations about belief and belonging at work.

This is a completely student-led event that brings together top MBA programs to tackle a business challenge—specifically, how organizations can balance profitability and effectiveness while fostering faith inclusivity in the workplace.

This year, we worked to elevate the competition’s brand and reputation, positioning it not just as an inspiring event, but as a premier, high-caliber case competition. To do this, I focused on refining our external presence—designing a new logo and style guide, standardizing communication with sponsors and schools, and enhancing event-day branding. From creating sponsor reports and signage to branded shirts for our planning team and branded beanies for those participating in the ski day, I ensured every touchpoint reflected the professionalism and impact of the competition. Beyond design, I played a role in expanding our global reach, successfully recruiting our first international team from Spain.

I’ve been involved in many initiatives at BYU Marriott, but this competition stands out because I’m deeply passionate about fostering environments where people can bring their whole selves to work. When we feel seen and understood, we perform at our best—we’re happier, more confident, and more effective. I saw this truth play out during the event, in the powerful keynote speeches, the thought-provoking final presentations, and the heartfelt discussions students had in between sessions. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of the achievements I’m most proud of in my career was working on the Disney+, Hulu, and Max streaming bundle launch while I was an MBA intern at Warner Bros. Discovery on the Global Streaming Program Management team. This launch was a major industry milestone, bringing together three top streaming services into one bundle. My role involved overseeing risk management by coordinating between multiple stakeholders, managing priorities across different business units, and ensuring everything stayed on track.

For example, there were technical risks around data sharing because we were working with really big partners. I needed to make sure that the technical product managers from both teams were aligned regarding how we stored the data, how long we stored the data, and how we communicated the data collection to customers. The challenge with the data ownership was that it had to be compatible with both companies’ systems. My teams met twice a week because with so many moving parts—technical integrations, marketing strategies, and business priorities—the project required strong collaboration and adaptability.

What made this experience especially meaningful was seeing the direct impact of our work. Watching the bundle go live and knowing it was improving the streaming experience for millions of customers was incredibly rewarding. Even more so, it was amazing to see friends and family enjoy this product firsthand. I had friends get ads for the bundle on social media and text me, saying, “Hey, it’s your bundle!” It was a great reminder of why I love working at the intersection of media, technology, and strategy.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose BYU Marriott because of its strong values-driven approach to business. I wanted an MBA program that emphasized not only leadership and strategy but also integrity, ethics, and purpose in decision-making. I think BYU Marriott fosters an environment where business isn’t just about profit—it’s about people, principles, and long-term impact. The focus on ethical leadership and creating meaningful change was exactly what I was looking for in a business education. Being surrounded by classmates and faculty who share this commitment has made my MBA experience even more meaningful. When I first entered the program, I felt like an outsider because of my nontraditional background outside of business—but anytime I walked into a team meeting, my team was so welcoming and understanding and patient. If during team meetings I didn’t comment for a while, someone would check in and make sure I was onboard. Everyone was so attentive and supportive to each other.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? MBA Director Dan Snow shows the perfect balance between maintaining high expectations and creating an engaging learning environment. He pushes students to strive for excellence while he also makes the classroom experience enjoyable and interactive.

I struggled with imposter syndrome my first semester, so I would often listen rather than speak out in class. But Dan was very attentive to the class members and was very direct with his cold calls, so if someone hadn’t shared, he would make an effort to have them share. I remember him cold-calling me during class for a very technical question that I knew I would struggle through. I knew he also knew this about me, but I knew that he didn’t do it to embarrass me—he trusted that I would rise to the occasion. His approach to demanding and interactive learning was exactly what I needed to develop confidence in myself as a business and people leader.

One of the most memorable moments from his class was our final session, where he brought together everything we had learned throughout the semester about operations and supply chain management and connected it to important life lessons. He reminded us that when we’re out in the real world, sitting at our desks and facing tough decisions, we’ll draw on the lessons from our MBA experience.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course as an MBA student has been Brand Management Strategy with Professor Mike Bond. This class went beyond theory—we not only focused on how brands create value, build loyalty, and stay competitive in an ever-changing market, but we also talked about what makes a successful leader in brand management.

Professor Bond’s ability to bring branding strategy principles to real-life situations was very impactful for me. Through real-world case studies, engaging discussions, and a hands-on consulting project with a top Mondelēz brand like Chips Ahoy, he challenged us to think like brand managers, not just students.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event at BYU Marriott is Talkapalooza, a bi-monthly tradition where we get together and share our diverse journeys, personal stories, struggles, and triumphs in a TED talk-style format. This tradition was started by a student in last year’s cohort. This year, as student-elected chief belonging officer of the MBA Student Association, I had the privilege of carrying this tradition forward and organizing these events throughout the year.

For example, one student shared their experience with owning an oyster farming business and what they learned in the process. Another student shared what it was like being a collegiate athlete and going through the MBA program and how they’ve learned and applied leadership skills. We’ve had stories about mental health and navigating the workplace. People have been vulnerable, like sharing personal stories of tragic loss and rejection and the impact it’s made on their lives.

What makes Talkapalooza so special is how it reflects the tight-knit, values-driven culture of BYU Marriott. It’s a reminder that business school isn’t just about case studies and networking—it’s about genuine connection and personal growth. The event fosters deep respect and understanding among students, strengthening the sense of belonging that makes this program unique. Seeing my classmates share their stories with such courage and authenticity has been one of the most meaningful parts of my MBA experience.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why?Looking back, I wouldn’t change much about my MBA experience—it has been transformative in ways I never expected. However, if there’s one thing I’d do differently, it would be not letting imposter syndrome hold me back from going after what I want.

From day one, I promised myself I would take full advantage of every opportunity the MBA program had to offer, and I’ve done my best to do just that. But there were moments when I hesitated to speak up, second-guessing whether my perspective was valuable. Over time, I realized that the most impactful discussions came from a diversity of voices, and I should have trusted that my experiences and ideas mattered. Even the challenges—like overcoming self-doubt—have shaped me into a more confident and engaged professional. This program has helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I know the lessons I’ve learned, both inside and outside the classroom, will stay with me long after graduation.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Provo’s outdoor scenery is the best part about living here. The mountains are literally our backyard, and there are so many things to do year-round. Each season brings new life to the city, and there is always something to look forward to. It definitely brings perspective and recharge to the hectic schedule that comes with business school.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? Moneyball proves that spreadsheets can, in fact, change the world! Billy Beane’s data-driven approach to team building is basically what happens when Excel takes on human intuition and wins. The movie reinforced for me that in business, the real game changers aren’t always the flashiest players but the ones who find hidden value, challenge outdated thinking, and trust the numbers—no matter how much it annoys the traditionalists. I saw this in my Brand Management Strategy class, where sifting through large data sets can reveal surprising consumer trends that challenge gut instincts. For example, analyzing purchase behavior might show that a product is unexpectedly popular with a different demographic, justifying a shift in marketing strategy—kind of like realizing that an overlooked player can actually be the key to winning.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? At BYU Marriott, AI has been integrated into coursework through data analytics classes that encourage students to leverage insights driven by AI. For example, we used AI in a marketing consulting class to analyze market trends, solidify target segments, and optimize business strategies. One key insight I gained is that while AI can process vast amounts of data quickly, its value depends on human interpretation. Good data doesn’t automatically lead to effective business decisions—the most effective leaders will be those who can blend AI-driven insights with critical thinking and ethical judgment.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I will be forever grateful that Tricia Allen was in my core team during my first semester. From day one, she led with confidence and determination, never letting her lack of experience in certain business fields hold her back from driving our team toward success. Tricia is always honest and true to herself, bringing authenticity and integrity into every discussion. Her comments in class are always incredibly thoughtful and respectful. Tricia knows what she wants and goes after it with focus and tenacity. And when she doesn’t know what she wants, she’s equally impressive—putting in the work to explore new paths, set fresh goals, and push herself toward growth. Beyond her sharp business acumen, Tricia is an incredibly gifted writer, poet, and creative mind, yet she also has the problem-solving skills of a true business leader. I will never forget our deep conversations about belonging and inclusion and the importance of “leaving no man behind.” Anyone would be lucky to work with her, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to do so!

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

* Gain international work experience—I want to expand my career globally, working in different markets to develop a broader perspective on business and media.

* Build a strong connection between BYU Marriott and the media and entertainment industry— I’m passionate about creating opportunities for future students by strengthening industry relationships, increasing recruiting pipelines, and fostering mentorship.

What made Camila such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Camila Costa is an invaluable addition to the BYU Marriott MBA graduating class of 2025, having made a lasting impact on both the culture and career development within the program. As a community builder, she has prioritized fostering sincere relationships and regularly reaches out to support classmates who may be struggling. Her leadership roles, including serving as the MBA Vice President of Belonging, allowed her to organize events like Talkapalooza, which created an inclusive space for students to share their cultures and backgrounds. In her role as vice president of communications for the MBA Marketing Association, Camila effectively used her marketing skills to generate excitement and engagement for events. Passionate about career development, she took proactive steps to improve the entertainment industry placement at BYU Marriott’s MBA program, which has historically been low. Through her efforts, including creating a dedicated Slack channel and organizing a team for the UCLA MBA Media and Entertainment Case Competition, Camila created new networking opportunities that led to her internship with Warner Brothers/Discovery and a full-time offer as a senior project manager with HBO MAX. Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping an inclusive, service-oriented culture and opening new professional pathways for her peers.”

Mike Bond
Associate Director of the MBA Program and Teaching Professor of Marketing

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