Melina A. Ramirez

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“Curious watercolor painter, avid reader with a TikTok book account, and aspiring business innovator.”

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m an avid reader who is starting a TikTok account to recommend and discuss books. I’m also a cinephile who has watched Titanic around 40 times because it has long been my favorite movie, though now my favorite movie is Interstellar.

Undergraduate School and Major: Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE), Bachelor of Science in Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Thomson Reuters, Delivery Effectiveness Manager

What excites you most about studying in Washington, DC? Washington, D.C.’s dynamic policy environment, rich cultural diversity, and proximity to global business leaders provide an unparalleled platform for learning and networking. Additionally, the city’s world-class museums and vibrant restaurant scene offer endless opportunities for cultural enrichment and culinary exploration, making it an exciting place to live and study.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Georgetown McDonough’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The STEM-Designated Management Science Major, with the recent additions of courses like Analytics Advantage, Customer Analytics, The Fintech Revolution, and Applied Data Visualization, is crucial for my goal of founding a business incubator to empower women through technology. These courses offer the perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing me with the skills and insights I need to drive innovation and support women entrepreneurs.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Georgetown McDonough? The Graduate Women in Business (GWiB) Club excites me the most at Georgetown McDonough. Being part of GWiB will provide a supportive community and networking opportunities with inspiring women leaders, aligning perfectly with my goal of empowering women entrepreneurs. Additionally, as an MBA Fintech Fellow, I am thrilled about the opportunity to work with leading faculty at the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy. This experience will allow me to dive into fintech, finance, and technology issues, which are essential for developing the professional skills I aim to achieve during my MBA.

Georgetown McDonough programming focuses heavily on instilling a global mindset. Why is exposure to global diversity so critical to business success? Exposure to global diversity is critical to business success because it fosters innovative thinking, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of various markets and cultures. During my time as a Scrum Master at Thomson Reuters, I led multicultural teams with members from India, the Philippines, Ukraine, Belarus, Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Embracing diverse perspectives and experiences enriched our way of working, enhanced problem-solving capabilities, and cultivated empathy among team members. This improved collaboration and communication, leading to better project outcomes and a broader understanding of different cultures, is essential in today’s interconnected global economy.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Georgetown McDonough was the right program for you? Why? I realized Georgetown McDonough was the right program when I encountered the themes for the admission essays, which focused on a community mindset and values of equality, respect, and caring for the whole person. The specific prompt highlighting the commitment to inclusivity and diversity strongly aligned with my own values. Additionally, conversations I had with current students and alumni made me realize that these individuals resonate with me and embody the values and community I aspire to be a part of. Their emphasis on the supportive community, social impact, and diversity made it clear that Georgetown was the place I wanted to belong.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment was at Thomson Reuters, where I managed an $11M budget for the Direct Tax portfolio. In 2022, the portfolio overspent by $1.2 million, leading to layoffs. To address this, I centralized the contractors’ information and hiring process and implemented a weekly monitoring system for billed hours. These actions improved budget forecasting accuracy to 99%, up from 91%, and prevented layoffs in 2023, preserving team stability and morale.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? My MBA experience would be successful if I could establish a strong network of like-minded professionals and friends, gain the skills to launch my business incubator, and contribute to initiatives that support gender equality in business. Additionally, learning about different cultures and life perspectives, enjoying the city, traveling, and having fun would all contribute to a fulfilling and enriching journey at Georgetown.

DON’T MISS: MEET GEORGETOWN MCDONOUGH’S MBA CLASS OF 2026