The Latino Student Organization (LASO) proudly promotes and supports Harvard Business School’s Latino students and works alongside the Latino Alumni Association (HBSLAA). Representing a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and Latino heritage, LASO members spearhead initiatives related to MBA Admissions, alumni engagement, career development, and more to advocate for and empower the Latino community on campus and beyond. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked LASO members to tell us about what being part of LASO means to them.
According to research, only a mere 3% of individuals holding an MBA identify as Latinas, and we have among the lowest representation in senior business positions and corporate boards. In part, the strong desire to challenge these statistics fueled my path to apply to HBS. With its long-standing mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world, Harvard provides the platform to develop the critical skills and connections to challenge the status quo. For me, that means championing investment in the educational and financial empowerment of underserved communities, especially the Latine community.
I grew up in Tennessee after my family immigrated from Mexico, and our experience of learning to navigate a new country as immigrants has significantly shaped my identity and ambitions. I am deeply passionate about dismantling systemic barriers that limit Latinos’ access to higher education and generational wealth. This passion led me to my pre-MBA career roles at Morgan Stanley and Harlem Capital, in which I worked on talented, diverse teams helping close the funding gap for underrepresented founders. Additionally, I care deeply about building a strong community and giving back. This is a core reason I love being part of the LASO leadership team and supporting prospective students.
Being Latine at HBS is an extension of hope and love for my culture. When I walk through Schwartz Common’s carefully manicured lawns, I think of the hardworking individuals who maintain our beautiful campus. When I partake in case discussions in Aldrich Hall, my aim is to leverage data and empathy to advocate for disadvantaged voices, especially as diversity and inclusion face challenges due to the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. When I travel the globe with my Latine friends, I reflect on being our ancestors’ wildest dreams. As I continue to navigate the corridors of the prestigious institution as a first-generation Latina student, I remain committed to paying forward the countless doors it has opened for me as well as protecting its position as a place for opportunity for all.