Lorena Figueroa Pacheco

“Empathetic, disciplined, athletic, resilient, driven by continuous growth”

Hometown: Lima, Peru

Fun Fact About Yourself: As a kid, I played more than 15 sports, from basketball and tennis to taekwondo and gymnastics. Sports have always been a source of joy in my life, but swimming ultimately captured my heart. I spent 14 years as a competitive swimmer, and it took me six years to achieve the dream of representing my country. Along the way, I learned that the journey matters just as much as the goal. Swimming taught me discipline, responsibility, and the power of teamwork. I learned that no athlete succeeds alone, and that mutual motivation and shared commitment are what drive meaningful results.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor in Industrial Engineering, Universidad de Lima

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Financial Controller, Falabella Retail Peru

What has been your favorite part of Toronto so far?

What I’ve enjoyed most about Toronto so far is its energy and cultural diversity. It’s a city where people from all over the world come together with ambition and openness, making everyday interactions feel inspiring. I love how easy it is to connect with people who are curious and willing to share their experiences. Through these interactions, I’ve learned about different cultural traditions, including Chinese customs that reflect strong values of discipline and respect. Ultimately, as a coffee lover, one of my favorite activities has been exploring Toronto’s coffee shops, each with its own personality, which has become a meaningful way for me to experience the city’s creative spirit.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Toronto Rotman’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

Aside from its strong emphasis on finance, a key reason I chose the Rotman School of Management Full-Time MBA was its focus on developing soft skills and self-awareness in leaders. I was particularly drawn to components such as the Self-Development Lab, leadership-focused conferences, and courses like Managerial Negotiations, which I see as just as important as technical knowledge. These elements are designed to help students better understand how they show up in professional environments, communicate effectively, and manage conflict. For me, this was essential. I wanted an MBA that not only strengthened my analytical and financial skills,but also prepared me to navigate complex business situations with emotional intelligence and confidence.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Toronto Rotman?

One of the experiences I’ve enjoyed the most so far at Rotman has been my involvement with the Latin American Business Club (LABUC). From the very beginning of the program, members of the club were consistently open to helping and sharing their experiences, which made my transition into the first year of the MBA much smoother.
The events organized by LABUC have also given me the opportunity to engage with Latin American alumni, students, and professionals who are genuinely open to sharing their career paths, aspirations, and advice. Being part of this community has made me feel supported, connected, and inspired, and has reinforced the value of learning from others who are willing to give back.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

One of my proudest career accomplishments took place during the COVID-19 crisis, when I worked in commercial banking in Peru at a time of extreme uncertainty. As part of a client-facing team, we remained on-site during the early stages of the pandemic to respond quickly to urgent client needs, while the country was still adapting to remote work and new digital processes.

During this period, I supported the deployment of government-backed “Reactiva” term loans, designed to provide urgent liquidity to companies and prevent widespread bankruptcies. These loans helped businesses continue operating, protect jobs, and ensure that smaller suppliers across the value chain could still be paid. To tackle these new challenges, I worked closely with cross-functional teams to help implement a fully remote loan approval and disbursement process, something that had never been done before at the bank. Being able to support my community during a moment of national crisis was deeply gratifying and reinforced my commitment to using finance as a tool for impact.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far has been being a finalist in the Scotiabank Credit Risk Case Competition, an experience that challenged me to conduct a full qualitative and quantitative evaluation of a company, culminating in a complete underwriting recommendation. What made this experience particularly meaningful was the environment of constant motivation and encouragement within my team. I felt supported to take on challenging tasks, including building and stress-testing financial projections, while learning how diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making under pressure.

Beyond the competition itself, the MBA experience as a whole has marked a broader shift for me. Coming from a culture where networking with people outside one’s immediate circle is less common, I have challenged myself since arriving at Rotman to step forward, engage in coffee chats, and connect with alumni and professionals despite initial discomfort. This combination of technical growth, cultural exposure, and personal courage has been one of the most meaningful milestones of my MBA journey so far.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

One of my best memories as an MBA has been the sense of connection and belonging I’ve found through community-driven events at Rotman. The Kickoff Brunch organized by the Rotman Women in Management Association (WIMA) stands out as a moment of effortless bonding. It was filled with spontaneous laughter, open conversations, and learning from ambitious women from diverse backgrounds who shared strong mindsets and a desire to grow. It was a space where I felt both inspired and deeply understood. That same sense of connection carried over to Camp New Moon, where I watched classmates step outside their comfort zones to try new sports like pickleball, tennis, and archery. Seeing peers embrace the unfamiliar with curiosity and joy reminded me why this community feels so special. Being surrounded by people who are constantly striving to improve, while supporting one another, truly inspires me.

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?

The Rotman MBA experience has given me the space to reflect deeply on how I show up as a professional and as a person. One of the most important things I’ve learned about myself is my ability to grow through discomfort. Whether contributing in high-pressure team settings, navigating ambiguity in cases, or stepping into conversations with people outside my immediate circle, I’ve learned that meaningful growth often comes from situations that initially feel unfamiliar.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing as a professional who creates impact through discipline, empathy, and sound judgment. It is this continuous commitment to growth that motivates me, shapes how I approach challenges, and prepares me for what comes next.

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