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 share what being Latino at HBS means to them.
From being born in Havana, Cuba to strolling through the halls of Aldrich on a fall afternoon, my heritage has shaped every step of the journey that ultimately led me to HBS.
Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida in the early 2000s, I often felt like a cultural outsider—whether at school, the grocery store, or the playground. However, within my circle of friends and family, my reality was entirely different. I was raised in a small yet incredibly strong community of immigrant parents, all of whom believed deeply in the American Dream and were relentlessly committed to helping their children achieve.
Their unwavering support carried me through years of academic rigor. Yet, when it came time to figure out my professional path, the burden felt entirely mine. I was the first among my family and friends to pursue investment banking, and later, private equity. As I navigated these industries, I often felt at a disadvantage compared to peers who had family or friends in the industry with a breadth of knowledge.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that my dedicated community would once again rally behind me. They spent countless hours quizzing me on prep material, conducting mock interviews, and reminding me that if a girl who grew up in a country with no real sense of capitalism could make it this far, the world could be my oyster—so long as I was willing to put in the work.
I’m at HBS because of hard work, dedication, and a passion for making a difference in the world. But I’m also here because I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by the endless support of a vibrant Hispanic community.