Lais Giardullo Bernardes, IESE MBA Class of 2023
Age: 27
Hometown: São Paulo
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of São Paulo (USP) – Computer Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years, strategic consulting and impact investing
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After spending 2 years as a consultant at McKinsey and another 2 years as impact investing officer at a family office, I saw the MBA as an opportunity to keep pushing myself and amplifying my vision of the world in one of the most international MBA Programs. I trust that an MBA will give me the right tools to intensify the impact of my career, as I seek to improve Brazil’s reality through entrepreneurship.
Why did you choose IESE? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I felt extremely connected with IESE. First, because of the leadership style that the school teaches – including the need to commit to leave a positive and lasting impact on the people, the businesses, and society. Second, because of its focus on the discussion of the role of business in improving the world – talking with IESE alumni, they stated how this drive is permeated in all classes and subjects, an IESE’s core, and not only in the sustainability-related classes.
Additionally, IESE provides a one-of-a-kind environment for innovation: great minds with diverse and global perspectives, engaging intellectually and collaboratively, learning how to have an “entrepreneur mindset”. I’ve never experienced such a global environment – one great example is my MBA section: 65 students from 33 different nationalities!
Not to mention the Barcelona factor – a beautiful city to live, with an affordable lifestyle, and a very active business environment!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
I hope my experience in impact investing, a new and highly growing field, will enrich discussions in social-related topics and new forms of business. Also, I would be extremely happy to help students who are thinking about pursuing a career either on impact, consulting, finance or retail companies – having participated in the Master Internship Program (Ambev, Credit Suisse and McKinsey), served different clients at McKinsey, and joined impact environment I believe I’m uniquely positioned to give a broad perspective to my colleagues regarding different companies’ cultures and career perspectives. Additionally, I am very keen on participating in startups’ development activities.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
That I am pregnant – actually because I wasn’t during my application!! In the end, I was glad that I was going to a school with strong values related to supporting families.
Post-MBA career interests:
Entrepreneurship and Impact
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Be yourself, be honest! I see some people that try to be another person to have the fit of certain school, but I highly believe that authenticity is the most valuable asset in your application.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Talk to (even more) alumni! That is completely essential to understand the real aspects of a school and if you want to spend 2 years in that place.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
GMAT! As a non-native English speaker, preparing for the exam was challenging. Organizing myself and doing many mock exams helped me to get the grade I pursued in my first trial (710), but it was a stressful process.
What is your initial impression of the IESE students/culture/community?
Global and diverse, people-centered, and hard-working
What is one thing you have learned about IESE that has surprised you?
How IESE’s culture is extremely personal! We arrived in Barcelona some weeks before our classes started, and we met many IESE students in that period. I was expecting many of them to ask about my professional status and aspirations – my professional ‘pitch’. Instead, what impressed me was that they were first interested in our personal stories – family, culture… I believe this is the best way to develop meaningful and lifelong bonds.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?Yes! During the application process, I was not able to visit the school nor have the interviews in person.After being admitted, our VISA process was very stressful – Spain had banned Brazilians’ entrance due to COVID restrictions, which left us with a lot of uncertainty. Fortunately, the ban was lifted a few weeks before our course started. Finally, the only positive effect on this list: during my first year, I will be able to attend classes in a hybrid format (presential & online) during the first month of my baby. That flexibility is only possible after IESE’s adjustments for the pandemic.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Dealing with FOMO (Fear of missing out) – with so many exciting things happening at the same time, we must learn how to prioritize.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Involving myself even more with entrepreneurship and impact, now in such a rich and diverse environment!
