Our Stories
Father of Three Graduating from UCLA Anderson Wants to Inspire Others
Alvaro Yanes ('19) says his goal has always been to study and that having a family and responsibilities shouldn’t be obstacles to doing so.
The Path Well Managed
Raul Elizalde (’86) recognized with 2018 Five Star Wealth Manager award.
A B-School Latina On Being the Bridge
Amanda Sol Peralta ('20) reflects on putting her Chilean identity (among others) front and center
An Open, Unhurried Mind
A Panama community trained Peace Corps volunteer Elizabeth Heredia (’19) to walk calmly in the workplace and beyond
Elisabeth Murdoch’s Vertical Networks Names Jesús Chavez ('05) CEO
The Anderson MBA will bring his extensive digital operations experience to help scale the mobile-centric business
Embracing Diversity Conference Inspires Attendees to Take Real Action
Anderson’s annual event for prospective students is designed to connect the Anderson community with applicants
UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator
BruxA
provides teeth-grinders with custom night guards for 90% lower prices than dentists through its direct to consumer subscription service.
BruxA Inspiration
Cohort
The idea for our business started years ago when Pablo learned he had been grinding his teeth at night and that he would need to wear a night guard. Through lots of conversations with other teeth grinders, we found out that peoples' main issues with night guards are the cost, which often isn't covered by insurance, and keeping it clean. As a first step BruxA launched ClearClub, a night guard subscription service (www.joinclearclub.com), aiming to improve oral health care and to make teeth protection more accessible, affordable, and hygienic for everyone.
BruxA is already generating revenue, shipping to customers all across the US and focused on fast growth to become the dominant player that will serve the $5Bn market represented by the 13% adults that grind their teeth during the night. Learn more here: www.joinclearclub.com
Riders Share
is the Airbnb of motorcycle rental. We connect unused motorcycles to licensed riders that we vet with algorithms. We have the only insurance policy that works for both renters and owners of motorcycles in the sharing economy. For more information go to Riders Share.
Riders Share Inspiration
Cohort
There are an estimated 20 milllion people in the U.S. that have a motorcycle license and do not currently own a motorcycle. At the same time, motorcycles are one of the most under-utilized assets: they get less than 2,000 miles per year compared to 12,000 for a car. And there are millions more in other countries! Riders Share's goal is to make motorcycles more accessible while also encouraging safe riding.
Check out Riders Share here.
Applied Management Research Field Study
Whether evaluating new models for microfinance, improving foreign supply chain efficiency or evaluating growth and expansion strategies, our global pro-social AMR field study projects make a real, immediate and often profound impact.
Peru
A plan to support the development of an environmentally sustainable value chain for coffee production in northern Peru
Guyana
UCLA Anderson field study consultants find the project management key to sustaining Guyana’s indigenous communities
Galapagos
UCLA Anderson field study team dives deep into Galapagos tuna supply chain
Guatemala
On-the-ground strategies for eroded land in Guatemala’s coffee-growing regions
5 Questions
Ana Peña ('13)
Director of Conference Support Team, Teach for All
Ana Peña (’13)
Director, Conference Support Team, Teach For All
I’m an engineering grad and MBA with a passion for changing the world through social entrepreneurship and innovation.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
I was a career switcher and I felt that my background in engineering was limiting. It was the perfect opportunity to explore a new space and expand my background knowledge and understanding of business.
What is the most important skill that we should be teaching MBA students today?
Empathy.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don’t settle for a job that doesn’t bring you joy.
What’s one change that you’d like to see in the business or nonprofit spaces today?
I’d love to see a shift toward longer-term benefits to people, planet and profit over short-term financial gains.
Have any key lessons you’ve learned in a professional context derived from your specific background and heritage?
My biggest lesson has been that I need to take time to reflect and process. The most difficult part of being Latina in the workplace is identifying when your background — versus other aspect of your work — is what is creating tensions or opportunities. To do that well takes time and space to think through challenges.
Diana Salsa (B.A. '03, '09)
Director of Marketing,
Wonderful Citrus
Diana Salsa (B.A. ’03, ’09)
Director of Marketing, Wonderful Citrus
I’m a CPG professional with cross-functional experience in finance, marketing, trade marketing and category/customer insights.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
I am a first-generation American and the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree. I had the opportunity to work in the admissions office of UCLA Anderson as an undergraduate and receive fantastic counseling from folks like Linda Baldwin. A few years into a career at an accounting firm, I realized I wanted to change functions. The MBA was an easy choice.
What three things did you learn at Anderson that have been most helpful to you in your career?
How to work on a diverse team effectively, how to build meaningful relationships and how to build and deliver compelling and persuasive presentations. My study group included someone who had worked on Wall Street, and someone who made toys! Learning how to bridge these skill sets and resolve conflict has made me a better leader and professional.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
If you are unsure of your career direction, build a transferable skill set at a respected company and consider geographic relocation. Once you have determined your career direction (and gained the confidence that you can conquer something as daunting as a new city), use that developed confidence to continually challenge yourself in your career.
What’s the one change you’d like to see happen in business today?
As a society, we absolutely need to extend the amount of paid parental leave for both men and women. So many valuable employees drop out of the workforce unnecessarily because they (and the companies they work for) don’t know how to make it all work. The stigma of taking permitted leave is sad. Companies that invest in progressive policies will undoubtedly earn improved employee loyalty, which will begin to be a differentiator in recruiting.
How do you celebrate your heritage?
It’s important to keep connected to your culture. I bring my whole self to work, and I’ve even been able to share my perspective with the teams marketing to Hispanic communities. It’s also important to me to keep a connection to my culture at home. I have two daughters who are bilingual, and I want them to be proud of their entire heritage as they grow up.
Erica Dionne ('09)
VP of Product Development and Strategy, Digital Distribution, NBCUniversal Inc.
Erica Marie Dionne (’09)
Vice President of Product Development and Strategy, Digital Distribution, NBCUniversal Inc.
As an entertainment and digital media executive, I am a strategist and goal-orientated team player with experience in digital distribution, new product development, marketing communications, content, value creation and client relationship management.
What words of advice would you give to an incoming UCLA Anderson student?
Try to be authentic, no matter what you are or what you do. Your career is long, and if you aren’t your authentic self you will never find the right fit. Opportunities that should be present for you will never show up if you aren’t authentic. Be who you are, and the rest will follow.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Rather than set your focus too far in advance, focus on the next step. Do your best where you currently are, and that will open up the next opportunity, the next step. Looking too far forward might cause you to miss the opportunities that are right in front of you.
What are you reading right now?
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk — this is a book that is applicable for conversations at every age! And The Power of Unreasonable People — it’s a great reminder that if you have a point of view on something, and if it’s rational to you, it has the opportunity to shift the world. Don’t let the naysayers hold you back from trying!
What is one thing that each of us can do today to begin to build an inclusive community here at Anderson?
Don’t make assumptions about each other. Instead, relate to each other in a human way, and build your network that way. Talk less about work, and more about each other. Don’t close your mind, don’t narrow your vision, don’t categorize each other. Ignore the assumptions and be open to new realities. You might learn more from your classmates than you thought you would!
What is the most important skill that we should be teaching our students today?
There are actually a few key competencies that students need today to be competitive in today’s business environment. First, the ability to use the skills you are learning at Anderson in real-world environments, rather than in theoretical scenarios, is crucial. Second, honing communication skills, both written and verbal, is key, as both are necessary to adequately support your recommendations. And third, understanding that the consumer will interact with businesses through a screen, rather than in person — this is the state of business today.
From UCLA Anderson Review
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Read StoryA Tool to Make FDA Drug Approval Practices Transparent
Researchers aim to help the agency, drug companies and patients better understand the complex authorization process
Read StoryPay Transparency: Will It Help or Hurt Workers?
Many assume salary transparency will benefit employees, but research suggests downsides, too
Read StoryOnce Begun, Corporate Carbon Reduction Efforts Gather Momentum
Companies are surprised: Opportunities to reduce CO2 are more plentiful than expected
Read StoryCitizens Not Fooled by Fake Statistics
Ricardo Perez-Truglia examines what happened when the Argentine government lied about inflation numbers
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Read Story$54,000 a Year: It Feels Like More If Your Neighbors Make Less
Ricardo Perez-Truglia’s research uses relocation choices of medical residents to study feelings about relative income
Read StoryCampaign Contributions Swayed by Neighbors’ Politics
A field experiment using public donation data indicates peer pressure matters
Read StoryA Shocking Tale of Sovereign Default and Private Contracts Nullified
Sebastian Edwards brings to life a widely forgotten chapter of U.S. history starring FDR, his no-name economist and the demise of the gold standard
Read StoryIn a Global Church, Even a Widely Publicized Scandal’s Impact is Decidedly Local
Revisiting research on Catholic clergy sex abuse: Pennsylvania can expect fewer churchgoers and a painful decline in charitable contributions
Riordan Programs
Providing a pathway for underrepresented students to excel in business and leadership
Tomorrow's leaders emerge from a transformational experience with Riordan mentors, educational workshops and community service. The Riordan Scholars Program, College to Career Program and MBA Fellows Program provide leadership and management training to diverse individuals all over the country.
Conferences
Annual Event
Latin American Business Conference
The annual Latin American Business Conference gathers prominent influential leaders from both the private and public sectors to address the economic challenges and opportunities in Latin America.
Club Events
ALMA Campus Group Events
ALMA is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and collaborative environment to promote professional development and business leadership while celebrating the American Latino experience.
UCLA Optimists
Adriana Galván
Associate Professor, Psychology
Marcelo Suárez-Orozco
Wasserman Dean, UCLA School of Education & Information Studies
Al Osborne
Senior Associate Dean, UCLA Anderson School of Management
Ana-Christina Ramón
Assistant Director, UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies
On one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, in a global city teeming with energy and brimming with opportunity, risks are taken, doors are opened and anything is possible. In ways large and small, across the street or around the world, UCLA Optimists are making the world better for everyone.
Learn How We Champion and Celebrate
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:
Women@Anderson
Black@Anderson
Veterans@Anderson
LGBTQ@Anderson
Latinos@Anderson
