Adriana Fernández, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Communication from Universidad ORT Uruguay and a Master’s degree, was selected to participate in the Santander Women Emerging Leaders program at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Fernández has worked at Universidad ORT Uruguay 2011, first as the Alumni Coordinator for the School of Communication and later also as a student advisor. In 2019, she took on the role of Graduate Coordinator at the university’s School of Engineering.
Through this program, these professionals will gain the leadership tools and skills they need to advance and succeed in leadership roles. The program awarded 125 scholarships to women from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.
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Where did your interest in a program like this come from?
I am an extremely curious person, and everything piques my interest. For years, I have had a strong interest in leadership, and I have already taken several courses and received training in this field. It is a subject I am passionate about because there is always something new to learn, which allows me to improve my skills and grow as a person. Last year I was interested when Banco Santander announced the call for applications, but I didn’t apply at that time. This year, when I found out they were opening it up again, I decided to give it a try and see what happened—always hoping to be selected, but also keeping my feet on the ground, knowing the competition would be tough since women leaders from all over the world apply.
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What are the objectives?
The program offers the opportunity to engage with a diverse community of women from around the world during seven weeks of online training, divided into modules, with a focus on developing negotiation skills as part of a career in leadership. It allows participants to experiment with and acquire negotiation techniques to use effectively in the workplace, understand and enhance their leadership style, and learn how to analyze, plan, and conduct negotiations effectively; it also aims to strengthen business relationships.
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What was the selection process like?
First, we had to register and complete Phase 1, which consisted of specific tests assigned to the participants. I had to choose one option from among various scenarios presented to me, and there was another reasoning test that involved solving math problems using logical reasoning. Each test lasted about 20 minutes.
A few days later, I received an email stating that I had passed Phase 1 and was invited to continue the process by completing Phase 2. I had to submit a CV in a specific format as requested, a letter from my manager—which Eduardo Mangarelli, dean of the School of Engineering where I work, kindly provided—and write an essay explaining my interest in participating in the program, addressing certain points they asked me to include.
When I received the email saying I had been selected, I couldn't believe it. I feel truly honored to have this opportunity.
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The program will be conducted entirely online, which was a key factor in your decision to apply. How do you manage to balance your professional and family life?
In my case, the fact that the program was offered online was a real game-changer. Since it lasts seven weeks, I personally don’t feel comfortable being separated from my six-year-old son for that long. This format allows me to organize my time differently and balance my family and professional life so that I can participate.
This year I've completed several online certification courses, and it's a format I feel very comfortable with—in fact, I prefer it to in-person classes. Honestly, you use your time differently that way and can perform well in everything.
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What are your expectations for this opportunity?
I think it’s going to be a very enriching experience from which I’ll learn a great deal. The application process focused on how you see yourself in your professional career and where you envision yourself in a couple of years, as well as what your goals are. It was interesting to sit down and honestly reflect on the path I’ve taken so far and the goals I hope to achieve. I hope the program helps me build on my growth; I’m going in with an open mind.