Cristina García Abedrabbo

University of Notre Dame, Mendoza School of Business

“Storyteller at heart, endlessly curious, deeply empathetic, driven, resilient, and definitely funnier in Spanish.”

Hometown: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Fun fact about yourself: I have lived in four countries: Honduras, the U.S., France, and Chile.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Rice University; Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in business.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Import/Export and Commercial Development Manager for Grupo AyR, a Honduran-based agribusiness group specialized in the production, processing, and manufacturing of agricultural products for export to the US, Canada, and Europe.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? EY (Ernst & Young LLP) in Houston, TX.

Where will you be working after graduation? EY; Senior Consultant, Business Consulting – Finance

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Awards & Fellowships

• Brogan Fellow
• Forté Fellow

Leadership:

• Women in Business, President (’24- ‘25), VP of Communications (‘23- ‘24)
• Latin American Club at Mendoza, Executive VP (’24-’25)

Volunteer Work:

• Margaret’s House, women’s day shelter in South Bend, IN
• Our Lady of the Road, day shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in South Bend, IN

Other Activities:

• IDEA Center Start-up Coach: Mentor Notre Dame student entrepreneurs in early-stage venture development, from problem validation, to prototyping and market entry.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant: Introduction to Statistical Analysis, with Dr. Sarv Devaraj

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?  I’m honored to be recognized as a Brogan Fellow for being among the top 5 women with the highest GPAs in my class during our first year of the MBA program. Deciding to return to school in the U.S. and pivot my career meant leaving behind my life in Honduras, which was a significant personal and professional shift. Balancing the demands of graduate school, personal life, and other responsibilities has been challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Transitioning from corporate communications to commercial development within a different industry was a defining career move. In this new role, I restructured import-export operations in two agro-industrial free-trade zones to improve efficiency and reduce costs, built key stakeholder relationships to exceed export targets, integrated a new product line that drove significant revenue growth, and led international audits to secure critical certifications in food safety, quality management, and organic production. This pivot pushed me to adapt in new ways, revealing strengths I hadn’t fully recognized before.

Why did you choose this business school? Notre Dame had always stood out to me, but it wasn’t until I connected with the faculty and students during the application process that I truly felt the warmth, support, and sense of community that make this place so special. That community isn’t just welcoming; it challenges and inspires excellence in a way that goes beyond standard definitions of success. As Father Robert Dowd said in his inaugural speech, “The excellence we are called to is neither one-dimensional nor limited to conventional measures. It has always been, and must always be, holistic.” Mendoza embodies this by not only fostering a strong, values-driven community but also emphasizing global business challenges and immersive experiences that prepare us to lead with purpose and be well-rounded professionals.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? There are so many incredible professors at Mendoza, but if I had to choose one, it would be Dr. Kristen Collett-Schmitt. I genuinely enjoyed her Managerial Economics class—not just for the subject itself, but because of her engaging and dynamic teaching style. If I were ever a professor, I’d want to teach the way she does: with clarity, enthusiasm, and a true dedication to her students’ learning. Beyond the classroom, she is incredibly approachable and a true champion of diversity and equality, actively supporting our community and student clubs. She embodies everything that makes Mendoza special.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course has been Regenerating Economies and Ecologies for Livelihoods (REEL), taught by Dr. Richard ‘Drew’ Marcantonio, as it aligns perfectly with Mendoza’s mission to “grow the good in business.” This class provides a unique hands-on opportunity to collaborate with a diverse team, tackling real-world challenges at the intersection of business, sustainability, climate, and social impact. Over the course of the semester, my team and I have been working with the non-profit organization Cáritas in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, a place of incredible biodiversity and the gateway to the Amazon. Through this partnership, we are applying regenerative livelihood strategies to support a local cooperative of cacao and copoazú farmers. Our research examines how strengthening the cooperative’s internal organization impacts members’ motivation and commitment, ultimately driving economic benefits and fostering social cohesion. A highlight of this course was travelling to Peru for a week, where we met our partners in person and conduct fieldwork. This experience has been a powerful reminder of how business can be a force for positive change, using innovative solutions to promote human flourishing and sustainable development.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? One of the highlights of my MBA experience was the tailgates before home football games, hosted by the MBAA and various clubs. As someone who knew nothing about football before coming to Notre Dame (and I’m still learning!), these gatherings were the perfect introduction to the excitement and tradition of game day. More than just a pre-game celebration, they brought our community together, strengthened friendships, and deepened my appreciation for the school spirit that defines Notre Dame. This past season was especially thrilling, with the team reaching the national championships and winning two bowl games. Go Irish!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? In all honesty, looking back on my MBA experience at Mendoza, I am filled with gratitude for everything it has offered. I’ve had the privilege of connecting with amazing individuals, becoming part of a tight-knit and supportive community, and constantly challenging myself in ways I never thought possible. I’m grateful for the opportunities and people that helped me reach my career goals and for the hands-on experience I gained through consulting projects in Washington D.C., New York City, Mexico City, and Peru. Studying abroad in Santiago, Chile, and traveling throughout South America was also an incredibly enriching experience that significantly rounded out my education.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? South Bend may be a small town in Indiana, but it has plenty to offer. I particularly enjoy its growing food scene, with a variety of local eateries offering everything from farm-to-table dishes to international flavors. The weekly farmer’s market also adds to the charm, with fresh, local produce and artisanal goods supporting local businesses and sustainable practices.

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? HBO’s Succession brilliantly explores complex themes that closely align with many of the concepts we’ve discussed in strategy and leadership courses. At the heart of the highly acclaimed show are power struggles, leadership challenges, and high-stakes decision-making that shape any major organization. While the characters and storylines are often exaggerated for dramatic effect, the lessons about the importance of sound strategy, governance, and negotiation skills feel incredibly relevant in the real business world. What stands out even more is how the show subtly raises questions about the role of values in leadership. The Roy family’s journey makes you think about what truly drives a business—whether it’s legacy, profit, or a larger purpose. Ultimately, it encourages us to reflect on the complexities of building successful organizations and the importance of aligning decisions with a shared vision and strong ethical foundation.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Mendoza has integrated AI into its programming in multiple ways, including a dedicated Automation and AI in Marketing course taught by Professor Kevin Hartman, that explores automation, machine learning, and recommendation engines, as well as the ethical implications of AI in business. Beyond this course, AI has been a recurring topic across various classes, where we’ve examined its impact on decision-making, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. Through these discussions, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of both the opportunities AI presents and the challenges it brings, including ethical considerations and potential biases. At Notre Dame, where we are guided by a mission to be a force for good, these conversations take on even greater significance. We are not just learning how to leverage AI but also how to do so responsibly, ensuring that innovation aligns with ethical leadership and human dignity.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Lee Anna Hess (MBA Class of 2025) is an inspiring servant leader and a loyal friend. As this year’s MBAA President, she led with empathy and purpose, championing mental health and ensuring everyone in the program felt heard and supported. Personally, she has been an incredible pillar of support—always uplifting me with her kindness, encouragement, and unwavering belief in me. I’m truly grateful to have her in my corner and call her my friend.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? As someone passionate about entrepreneurship, my top two goals are to own my own business and continue empowering startups to grow and succeed, driving impact through purpose-driven social innovation.

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

“Cristina took two of my finance elective courses and she proved to be a truly exceptional student. I was not surprised to learn that outside the classroom, she served as President of the Women in Business Club and Executive Vice President of the Latin American Club, and that she also worked as a Startup Coach for aspiring entrepreneurs at Notre Dame’s IDEA Center.

In the classroom, despite being new to finance and in a major dominated by male students, Cristina had the self-confidence to consistently ask probing questions that allowed her to deepen her understanding beyond simple mastery of key financial concepts and techniques. She was the informal leader of her team’s efforts on group case assignments, helping her team to consistently achieve top marks. I could also count on Cristina to regularly go beyond the material we were covering in class by bringing in noteworthy current events to illustrate class material so as to expand and deepen our class discussions. These two courses were a much richer experience for me and for all of her classmates due to Cristina’s participation and work ethic. Cristina is a true leader both inside the classroom and beyond.”

Katherine Spiess
Academic Director of the Master of Science in Finance-Residential Program
Associate Professor of Finance

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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