Isabel Botero

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

“I am dedicated to lifelong learning and growth, fueled by empathy and determination.”

Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia (and most recently, Chicago, IL)

Fun Fact About Yourself: For the past few years, I have had both Bad Bunny and Bach in my top 5 Spotify Wrapped artists

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Notre Dame, Business Analytics and Psychology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Deloitte Consulting, Senior Consultant

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I enjoy solving challenging problems and always aim to do so through an empathetic lens. My goal is to become a product manager in EdTech as I believe technology is a powerful tool to make quality education more economically accessible. Kellogg’s MMM Program stood out to me as it would prepare me to identify and solve problems through human centered design. The unique program combines an MBA with an M.S. in Design Innovation from the McCormick School of Engineering, providing me with the tools to break down complex issues and design digital products more empathetically.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? Kellogg’s location offers the advantage of living in a major city while still enjoying the benefits of having all your friends and classmates within the same few blocks in the more tranquil city of Evanston. Being in a global business hub like Chicago offers exposure to a wide set of opportunities and networks, while still being in the close-knit community of Evanston. Chicago is also one of my favorite cities, providing great food, art, culture, architecture and my favorite part – Lake Michigan.

Kellogg is known for a team-driven culture. What quality do you bring as a teammate and why will it be so important to the success of MBA class? I grew up very introverted but found my voice in college and have been able to tap into my extroverted side ever since then. I have continued to work on bringing out my extroverted side while leveraging the strengths that come with introversion to contribute meaningfully to my teams. I am intentional about creating spaces for quiet people to speak out. Often, introverts are more empathetic, better listeners, and bring insightful contributions to create well-rounded solutions. As an introvert, I value the strengths of quieter individuals and aim to give them the space and confidence to speak out. I will continue to do this at Kellogg, helping create a collaborative and thought-provoking environment where diverse perspectives can be heard.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Northwestern Kellogg? I am looking forward to the MMM program‘s hands-on experiences. With dedicated studio space and classes like Research – Design – Build and Business Innovation Lab, I will develop a strong foundation in design thinking that I will use to solve complex issues – such as those found in education – and create impactful digital products. On the social side, I am looking forward to “small group dinners” (SGDs) where I can meet new people on a deeper level. I hope to host many!

What has been your first impression of the Kellogg MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Kellogg story so far. From coworkers to managers, I saw how Kellogg leaders embodied high-impact, high-empathy leadership early on in my career. I interned with Leal in Colombia, a Kellogg alumni-founded startup, and I saw first-hand how Kellogg alumni innovate and lead with humility. Later, during my time at Deloitte, I appreciated how Kellogg managers prioritized fostering a supportive environment to create great teams.

A clear illustration of the supportive environment at Kellogg happened when I was applying. I had my interview scheduled and wanted to practice with someone who had recently gone through the process. I reached out to Corey King (Kellogg ’26), a current MMM student, whom I had never met. Within less than 24 hours, he had scheduled time for us to practice, and he provided feedback on my interview responses for over an hour. When my interview came, I was more confident thanks to his help.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I designed and developed a product prioritization model for a Fortune 50 client to prioritize their consumer and business product development. My model led to more data-driven prioritization of $650M+ in capital and led to a $500K extension of the engagement for Deloitte.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? One of my main goals for the next two years is to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. Whether that means taking a class on a completely new topic, making friends with people from different backgrounds, or trying new activities – I want to look back at my MBA and feel confident that I took every opportunity I had to try something new.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA program? First, apply! Do not rule yourself out. Second, truly understand why you are getting an MBA, why now is the right time, and why you want to come to Kellogg. Make sure you understand this for yourself because it will come through in your essays and interviews. In addition, talk to students and alumni – they will give you the best sense of Kellogg, and it will give you a better idea of whether it’s the right program for you.

DON’T MISS: MEET NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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