Maria Elisa Garcia Escobedo

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

“Driven by passion for growth, rooted in heritage and inspired by others’ perspectives and stories.”

Hometown: Cuernavaca, Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself: As a teenager, I was deeply passionate about physics. I won first place in the state-level Physics Olympiad and third place at the national level. For a long time, I dreamed of studying physics, until I discovered finance, which captured my interest and became my career path.

Undergraduate School and Major: B.S in Actuarial Science and B.A. in Financial Management at Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Assistant Vice President of FP&A at CitiBanamex

Personal and professional development is one of the cornerstones of the Rotman MBA experience. What have you learned about yourself so far and what do you hope to achieve? I’ve learned the importance of self-reflection—analyzing my strengths, weaknesses, and interests. This process has helped me identify what makes me unique and understand the value of being open and flexible to seize the opportunities around me. Moving forward, I hope to achieve a deeper understanding of international markets while gaining hands-on experience that will enable me to make a meaningful impact in my career.

What has been your favorite part of Toronto so far? Why? My favorite part of Toronto so far has been its incredible multiculturalism. This city is home to people from so many different countries, each sharing unique traditions, perspectives, and ways of life. It’s been amazing to learn about their diverse cultures, hear different languages, and exchange experiences. This diversity has enriched my understanding of the world and made living in Toronto an exciting and rewarding experience.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the one key part of Toronto Rotman’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The focus is on developing students’ soft skills. The Self-Development Lab, several conferences and various managerial and strategic thinking courses were particularly appealing to me. These components go beyond technical knowledge, preparing students to navigate complex business environments.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Toronto Rotman? The activity I’ve enjoyed the most so far at Toronto Rotman has been participating in diverse case competitions organized by the Rotman Finance Association (RFA) and the Rotman Asset Management Association (RAMA). These competitions have allowed me to be creative, solve problems that closely resemble real-life challenges, and learn from industry professionals. Collaborating with my classmates to tackle these cases has been incredibly rewarding, as it provided an opportunity to apply theoretical finance knowledge to practical scenarios while sharpening my problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of the most significant accomplishments in my career was working in the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) area at CitiBanamex during a pivotal time: the divestiture process by Citibank and the preparations for Banamex’s potential IPO. It was a challenging period marked by uncertainty and constant change, but also an invaluable learning experience. I had the privilege of collaborating with a group of exceptional professionals, contributing to the financial strategies and planning that supported the organization. through this transformative phase. This experience deepened my understanding of corporate finance Even more, it sparked my interest in investment banking, as I witnessed firsthand how financial strategies could drive impactful organizational outcomes.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? One of my biggest accomplishments as an MBA student was being awarded the Women in Capital Markets Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship. This achievement not only reinforced my passion for capital markets, but also strengthened my commitment to advancing the participation of women in this field. The application process was an incredible experience, providing the opportunity to meet exceptional female candidates and connect with professionals from various banks who shared valuable insights into the Canadian markets. Throughout this journey, the support of my career coach, second-year students, mentors, and my partner and my family, was invaluable. Their guidance, encouragement, and belief in me made a significant impact on my success. Being a recipient of this scholarship has further fueled my enthusiasm for a career in capital markets and deepened my understanding of the industry.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memories as an MBA student so far have been the Orientation Camp and the LABUC events. Orientation Camp was an incredible experience, filled with activities that helped me connect with my cohort on a deeper level. The LABUC events have also been particularly meaningful, as they allowed me to engage with Latin American alumni and students, fostering both valuable connections and lasting friendships.

DON’T MISS: MEET TORONTO ROTMAN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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