Sabrina Fajardo Gallegos

HEC Paris

“Passionate, empathetic, big dreamer. I love loud laughter, honest talks, good books and deep connections.”

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself: I live for the adrenaline of Formula 1 Sundays and the comfort of rewatching Disney movies on loop

Undergraduate School and Major: Instituto Technologico Autonomo de México (ITAM), Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Associate, Egon Zehnder

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of HEC Paris’ MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Aside from my future classmates, there were two main reasons that led me to choose HEC. First, HEC offers a flexible academic structure that will allow me to experiment and learn from sectors I’m passionate about but haven’t had the opportunity to experience, such as Luxury. At the same time, I can leverage insights from industries, professors, and alumni who have similar paths to what I aspire to pursue. This adaptability was crucial in my decision, as I seek to explore new fields and deepen my expertise in areas that resonate with my passions.

Finally, every time I talked to someone about HEC, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection and community that encourages personal and professional growth. I was in awe of what I heard about the professors, alumni, and fellow students. It is truly exciting to be part of something that exemplifies community, contribution, and teamwork. I am a people person, which is why this aspect was particularly important to me.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at HEC Paris? This question is tricky because my sentiment today is pure excitement for it all. However, to narrow it down, I am most excited to be part of the Latin America Club and the Women in Business Club. As a Latin American woman, having the opportunity to be part of this MBA cohort and school, I feel an immense privilege and responsibility to contribute to something that will help future women and Latin Americans who aspire to attend business school and see HEC as a potential fit for them. I would be truly proud and engaged to be part of these clubs.

HEC Paris is just 17 kilometers from Paris. What do you see as the best part of earning your MBA so close to Paris? This might sound cliché, but Paris has been my dream since I was a little girl. It was the first European city I visited at age 14, and the city where I did my college exchange in 2018. Paris has everything. And now, seeing it through the eyes of a 28-year-old, I see possibilities — opportunities to learn from global headquarters and French companies I admire (and where I hope to work). Being able to return to Paris at different stages of my life feels like a privilege. This time, I’m most excited to experience the city from a professional perspective.

Why did you choose a 16-month program over a one-year program? How do you see a HEC Paris MBA giving you an advantage in the marketplace? I chose a 16-month MBA because I’m not looking for a quick transition — I’m looking for transformation.

I want time to explore different career paths, strengthen my leadership skills, and grow both personally and professionally. The two-year format allows me to dive into academic rigor, enjoy internships, and fully integrate into the HEC ecosystem. As someone passionate about both the healthcare and luxury industries — and still exploring which path to pursue — I value the time and flexibility to reflect, test, and make informed choices. The HEC MBA offers the network, exposure, and platform to navigate this decision thoughtfully and pivot into leadership in a multinational environment with clarity and purpose.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment so far has been the decision to trust myself and step into the unknown. Leaving a medical devices company, I loved, and where I had learned so much, to join Egon Zehnder was a leap of faith. I had no prior experience in leadership consulting, but I believed in my ability to learn, adapt, and thrive outside of my comfort zone. At Egon Zehnder, I was challenged intellectually and personally. I developed a deep curiosity for leadership, and, I was given the space to lead initiatives that aligned deeply with my values. One of my proudest accomplishments was reimagining and leading the Leaders & Daughters event in Mexico — an intergenerational dialogue on leadership and gender equity. I produced the event from concept to execution, bringing together C-level executives and their daughters for an honest, dynamic, and deeply moving conversation. That experience reminded me of why I care so deeply about leadership and purpose-driven work — and how powerful it is to create spaces that inspire reflection, connection, and change.

What has been the defining experience in your life? How has it prepared you for the rigors of business school and your career in general? One of the most defining experiences in my life was transitioning from an industry I knew deeply. I worked in healthcare, where both my parents work (they are both doctors) and where I started my career, to enter a completely new world: leadership consulting. I joined Egon Zehnder as the youngest in the office, with no prior experience in consulting, in an environment undergoing many internal changes. It was a leap into the unknown. At first, I struggled with confidence and felt like I had to prove myself constantly. But over time, through feedback, learning, and perseverance, I found my voice. I grew into someone who not only understands the complexity of leadership across industries and Latin America, but also knows when to speak up, and when to hold space for others.

This transformation made me stronger, more grounded, and more resilient. I believe it prepared me for business school — not just because I adapted to a new industry, but because I learned how to show up with curiosity, confidence, and humility. An MBA, like that career shift, is a new ecosystem: new people, new rules, a new country. But this time, I arrive knowing who I am and excited to leave a mark — while continuing to learn and evolve as a future leader.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? My MBA experience will be successful if I say yes — to experimenting, to learning new things, both simple and complex, and to stepping out of my comfort zone. It will be a success if I leave with a strong group of friends who challenge me, support me, and let me do the same for them – a true community that makes each other better. I also hope to grow into the leader I want to become: one who remains humble, curious, and always willing to learn regardless of title, experience, or setting.

Success will also mean learning how to bring the HEC spirit of community into every part of my life: my future job, my family, and the way I show up in the world. In the end, I want to lead with empathy, to connect deeply, and to grow not just in what is seen, but in what is felt.

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