"Marymount really gives us the tools to learn how to be part of this world and be leaders." These are the words of Laura García — a Marymount graduate from the class of 2006 and a leader in ESG law (Environment, social, and governance). Laura graduated from Universidad Javeriana with an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid. She is also a mother of two and a partner at an ESG law firm. Laura García's passion for her work, family, and alma mater radiated in every word of the interview conducted by MBSN Marymount students, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Gómez, and Space & Tech Co-Head Isabella Zambrano. She started the interview by emphasizing Marymount's significant role in shaping her achievements, concluding with advice for students about to embark on a new journey—life beyond graduation.
When asked about her time at Marymount and the skills she acquired that led to her becoming who she is today, Laura expressed deep appreciation for the comprehensive skill set and values that the school imparted. She acknowledged the significance of both hard and soft skills in shaping well-rounded individuals and professionals, noting how "Marymount has been a very important part of my life and in what I've been able to achieve. Because you spend 14 years in a school that fortunately for us, like for you and for me, features a lot of soft and hard skills. In a sense, it creates… complete human beings. Insightfully adding "it's not only the skills that you acquire on the things that you learn, but also the values and the problem-solving skills. That has been very important for me throughout my life, both professionally and personally." She believes that the education received at Marymount has made her stand out in a world that increasingly values leaders adept in diverse skills.
Laura also emphasized the importance of academic rigor and the habit of continuous learning fostered by Marymount. She credited the school for instilling solid foundations for learning and studying, which was particularly beneficial during her university years. She compared her preparedness to her peers, saying, "Our responsibilities created a habit of learning, of studying for each day that really worked and was really useful when I went to the university because I compared myself to other students that were there who had a very hard time trying to learn and to study on a daily basis." She believes that the groundwork provided by Marymount school has had a lasting impact, extending beyond formal education for, as she said, "you never stop learning and never stop acquiring information."
We also asked about her life after graduating from Marymount and if any memorable experience marked a milestone in her life. She said that her post-graduation journey was significantly marked by her internship at the UN in Geneva. Despite her initial plans to follow a traditional legal career, this experience revealed her true passion for social and environmental issues, government relations, and community support. She reflects, "[It] shifted my career path because [before] I thought I was gonna be a lawyer, I'm gonna work at my dad's firm — I'm gonna do this and that. [But] when I came back, I knew: this is my true calling." Her story underscores the importance of being open to new experiences and embracing change — a philosophy that has guided her through significant life decisions.
Continuing the interview, Laura delved into her childhood ambitions and keenly focused goals to answer the question of what advice she would give to someone close to graduating or to her younger self. We've all heard the phrase: "go with the flow," and that is what Laura has learned throughout her life: to allow fate to do its work. From a ripe age, Laura's future was an imperfectible line. One which ultimately merged into a greater horizon: "When I was 10 I knew I wanted to be a lawyer, carnival queen and that I wanted to live in Barranquilla. None of those things ended up happening." Through Laura's insights, we were guided to a more valuable lesson: What boat do I ride the flow in? What identity do I have to support me through the yanks and jerks of a river I can't control? As Laura implied, it isn't a question of whether we go with the flow but of whether we embrace our boat's wreckage — the transformation of our identities: something that our 10-year-old selves would have scoffed at as a failure. This, ultimately, is the question we must answer: Will we be willing to construct a new boat — a new career, a new set of goals, a renewed identity — to do it all again?
As she reminisces, "There's just the moment in time where you have to let go and trust the process. …What I would tell my younger self is, stop stressing about that. It's okay to have a plan. It's okay to have an objective and a goal, but afterward, things will fall into place and take you exactly to where you're supposed to be. It's okay if I didn't end up being a lawyer, you know? Because I'm very happy and much more successful now than what I would have been, I think, if I would have taken that path." Following this train of thought, she points out that as a student she would tell her chemistry teachers "I'm gonna be a lawyer, I don't even need to [learn this], you know? ". What she didn't realize back then is that "… you'll never know what you'll need that the school is teaching you."
Reflecting on her experiences at Marymount and how the school oriented her path and decisions, she fondly recalls the essential values and skills the school imparted, stating, "the values, the skills, the confidence in myself… [the school] helped me identify that I was a leader, and that I had something to give." She credits the institution with instilling confidence, leadership qualities, and a strong sense of self-worth. A notable mention is made of a teacher, Miss Lala, and Sister Johanna, who were instrumental in fostering her self-belief and motivation. These figures, she believes, were pivotal in shaping her character and instilling in her the strength and values that have been crucial throughout her life. She notes that self-confidence discoveries at school have been vital in various life aspects, including career and personal relationships. She elaborates, "You need to believe in yourself if you're gonna expect others to believe in you. [In life] you're constantly selling yourself…whether it's love or a career. [To accomplish this], you need confidence."
She also highlights the significant advantage Marymount provided by enhancing her English proficiency. This skill set her apart professionally, especially in dealings with Canadian companies. Her fluency in English facilitated communication in high-level meetings and led to substantial career growth and partnerships. She shares, "English has been such an important thing for me. My work is basically with Canadian companies, and having English has helped me... in my previous job, that's what made me grow because they had to call me so that I could translate because I had to be in meetings that were way above my paycheck and then I ended up being like partners with those guys that were there in that meeting."
Adding to her answer, she touches upon the importance of problem-solving skills and a macroscopic view of situations, teachings she attributes to Marymount. She highlights that these skills will be crucial when countering the threat of AI in the professional field in the near future. She believes these skills are particularly valuable in an era where AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in the workplace and while acknowledging the threat of AI in job displacement, she sees these human skills as a counterbalance, enabling adaptation and creative integration with AI technologies. She asserts, "problem-solving skills and looking at the big picture. That's something that Marymount really teaches you "something that AI can't do... We'll have to learn how to adjust and support ourselves in AI." Moreover, a holistic education, beginning with Marymount, has been instrumental in equipping her to navigate and excel in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
Lastly, she talks about the relationship between her personal life and professional life and how she strives to cultivate a balance. "was a very important question because being a mom is a commitment that's more important than anything you may have. You may be as successful as you are but that commitment will always come first. That's the way I see it. …In the beginning, you might find you might wanna be a little more into the work part. In 20 years, however, nobody will thank you for the 50 extra hours you spent working, but your kids will surely know if you were in an award ceremony for them." She adds that she "…respects people that dedicate themselves to being a mom. I couldn't do it. I mean, I think [work is] very important for your self-esteem, confidence, and independence… but it is very important to have that balance and to know how to be present in life." To highlight this point, she refers to a project from her children's school "Nueva Granada" called fundación 'Hogar Nueva Granada'. She also volunteers in a foundation named AMA, which cares for girls with troubled domestic environments, helping them cultivate strong personal projects.
During our interview with Laura, we heard advice we needed to hear. We got a glimpse into a story waiting to be told. We connected with a Marymount leader who poignantly made her mark. Laura García, thank you for your time and insights.