A decade of achievements. Of innovation, growth, and progress. Ten dinners and ten years of change, yet the original spirit remains intact: building community.
On Thursday, October 25, 2018, the 10th annual MBA Alumni Network Dinner was held. At the Golf Club, more than 160 students, graduates, faculty members, and administrators from the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Universidad ORT Uruguay to celebrate, reflect on the journey so far, and set new goals for the alumni community.
The ceremony, organized by the Graduate School of the Faculty of Administration and Social Sciences, was sponsored by DAZZLER, EY, BlueCross & BlueShield of Uruguay, VIASONO, El Observador, Montevideo Shopping, Alicia Risotto, Farmashop, Dove, and IBERPARK.
Ten Years of Transformation
“I don’t recognize the MBA,” a graduate from the class of 2015 told Dr. Luis Silva Domingo, the program’s academic coordinator, when they ran into each other in a hallway at the School.
“We didn’t have the trip to Silicon Valley, or to Spain or Germany; they were just starting to plan the trip to Peru, and we didn’t have the pitch presentations in San Diego to investors from the United States and Mexico,” the graduate told him. “There was no Executive Challenge or case competitions either.” It had only been three years since he graduated.
“The transformation has been ongoing,” said Silva Domingo. For the scholar, it is “impressive” to see how the event has evolved and, in particular, how the community has grown.
“Everything we have built over these ten years of achievements,” he said, “serves as the foundation for the transformation we are going to undergo in the coming years.”
A vibrant and enthusiastic community
It all began in 2009 with an idea from Silva Domingo. Since then, the MBA Alumni Network Annual Dinner has been held every year. “It’s our flagship event, which reminds us of the importance of building a community,” said María Paulós, a certified public accountant and MBA graduate who serves as associate academic coordinator for the Master of Business Administration program.
Why celebrate the 10th anniversary of the dinners? “We need to celebrate the vitality, strength, and institutionalization of this vibrant and enthusiastic community,” said Dr. Gaston J. Labadie. The dean of the School of Management and Social Sciences also highlighted the importance of celebrating the 28th anniversary of the founding of Uruguay’s first MBA program, as well as the 25th anniversary of the alumni community for that program.
“What direction do we want to take as a group?” Labadie asked the community. “What can our group contribute to society, to the country, and to the transformation of society?”
“The answers are up to you,” said the dean, adding that the Graduate School is committed to providing “the necessary administrative and institutional support to help these initiatives thrive.”
Three notable examples
Although Labadie acknowledged that the amount was “very modest” given the effort and contributions of so many people, the MBA Advisory Board recognized three outstanding graduates for their contributions to strengthening the alumni community.
Almost 30 years ago, Fernanda Ariceta was a teenager who watched her parents study. They were part of the first class to earn an MBA from ORT. Eighteen years ago, she began her own MBA program.
“Looking back, everything makes sense now,” said Ariceta, a sociologist and member of the MBA class of 2000, who received one of the awards. “The important thing is to believe that all our goals will be achieved.”
“The community needs renewal,” said Systems Analyst Adolfo Sommer, another of the award recipients. The 1995 MBA graduate—who was both excited and surprised—said, “I invite you to join the community and generate new ideas for future generations.”
Guillermo Pons, a chemical engineer and MBA graduate from the class of 2006, was the third Featured Alumnus. Like Sommer, he encouraged the guests to share ideas and collaborate with the Alumni Advisory Board. “We’ve done a lot for our brand identity, for recognition, and for the community itself,” he said. “Now we have to do something for society.”
A recognition of excellence
Traditionally, at each annual MBA Alumni Network dinner, the academic and professional achievements of the most distinguished members are recognized.
This time, the award for Best Business Plan—given to the plans that received the highest scores in the 12 months leading up to the dinner—was a tie, and the award was presented to two teams.
Claudia Cabrera, Stephanie Pose, and Valentina Silva won for their business plan for the Lookeate en casa startup. And Stefano Ghiardo, Alicia Marcora, and Brian Rigby won for their business plan to transform Pura Vida, the first industrial manufacturer of gluten-free baked goods.
José Luis Mauro Vera received the Academic Excellence Award for having the highest academic performance. The award for the most engaged class went to the class of 2016.
Video of the event:
https://youtu.be/v_OoHlODJ48?si=OC_WVBucP1Bpq_oD
Photo gallery:
