“Many hands, hearts, and minds usually contribute to a person’s success,” Walt Disney once said. Katya Rivas, a graduate of the MBA at Universidad ORT Uruguay, works in Manchester, UK, as a Project Manager at Disney Streaming Services and emphasizes that both her team and her fellow students and professors at the university have contributed to her outstanding performance in the professional world.
After beginning her career in her native Venezuela, she spent two and a half years in Uruguay at Nuevo Manantial, a company involved in wind energy production, at which point she decided to pursue an MBA at ORT. She later moved to the United Kingdom, where she says she is surrounded by a multicultural team that inspires her every day.
In the following interview, Rivas talks about his experience at one of the entertainment industry’s leading companies, the upcoming launch of Disney+ in the region, and his time in college.
You’ve been part of The Walt Disney Company’s team for over two years now. What’s it like to work for such a globally renowned company?
My work is directly in the Streaming Services division, a very new and promising business for Disney.
Disney, as a company, has exceeded my expectations. It is a company committed to its employees and the communities it serves. Inclusion and diversity are values we live by. For me, it’s wonderful to be part of such a multicultural team, with whom I grow as a professional every day.
How would you describe your day-to-day work?
My day-to-day work is challenging in many ways. The fields of streaming and software development are technically complex. At the same time, team leadership, coordination, and effective communication play a crucial role in my daily work.
Every day I face new challenges, which is exciting. Plus, I work with very talented people who inspire me and from whom I learn something new every day.
What do you think have been the key factors in advancing your career?
I believe that nothing beats hard work, dedication, and discipline. If you want something, you have to forge your own path and always step outside your comfort zone.
Disney+ now has a launch date for Latin America. What does the platform offer, and what sets it apart?
The key differentiator, without a doubt, is the content. Disney is a company with a wide range of diverse content that caters to all ages, ranging from timeless Disney classics to exclusive series like *Star Wars: The Mandalorian*.
The platform is designed for audiences of all ages, from the youngest members of the family—with all the Disney and Pixar classics—to older viewers with Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
"If, in the future, the people I've worked with remember me as someone who contributed to their professional growth, I will have made a difference."
How are preparations going for the launch of Disney+ in Latin America?
We are working on all the technical preparations to ensure the availability of our services in the region and to address specific requirements in certain Latin American countries. This undoubtedly poses a major challenge given the expected increase in traffic on our services.
What were the key lessons you learned through the ORT MBA program, and how did they impact your professional career?
The MBA will always be a reminder of a wonderful time, mainly because of the incredible group of students, faculty, and staff with whom I embarked on that journey—a journey during which I learned so much. I gained a wealth of knowledge in management, leadership, communication, and business that I have applied ever since. I feel that each of these lessons has made a real difference in my professional performance.
What kind of legacy would you like to leave through your work?
Every day, I work hard to make a positive contribution to my team and the people who report to me, always staying true to my values and principles. If, in the future, the people I’ve worked with remember me as someone who helped them grow professionally, I will have made a difference.