Rossella Leali

Rossella Leali started her IE University journey as an exchange student during her bachelor’s degree. She studied international economics and finance at Bocconi University and spent a semester in Madrid. Although her time was short, she fell in love with IE University and knew it was the perfect place for her to continue her studies. With an international background from her undergraduate studies, she decided to expand her horizons with the Dual Degree Master in Management + Master in International Relations.

There were a few reasons why Rossella felt at home the moment she stepped on IE University’s campus. The practical approach used in the classroom gave her numerous opportunities to put theory into practice, from hands-on activities and case studies to group projects. Spending time with colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds helped Rossella gain insights into new and varied perspectives and build a wide and diverse network.

More than just a practical approach, the university uses a holistic perspective to education. Rossella felt challenged to analyze topics from varying viewpoints, specifically in the international relations portion of her Dual Degree. And on top of these two approaches to learning, IE University has a unique way of pushing students to perform at their very best. This personalization meant that Rossella never felt like a number, but instead as a person who was supported by the staff at large, from program directors and professors to assistants and department staff members.

“I really loved the Master in International Relations as it let me have a more holistic approach to what surrounds me every day.”

Joining the IE Community as a Dual Degree student unlocked new ideas and challenges for Rossella. She chose the Master in Management because she wanted to enhance her knowledge in marketing, sustainability and digital transformation—all subjects that interested her, but she hadn’t had the opportunity to study previously. This program is personalized, meaning Rossella got to select a specialization track for her final study period. What’s more, she was able to use her new skills to present and develop a startup in the food sector, to which she gives special mention to her entrepreneurship professor, Paris de l'Etraz, for his support.

As for the Master in International Relations portion of her Dual Degree, Rossella felt shaped by its holistic approach; she now looks at things with a broader perspective in her day-to-day life. The program also helped her better understand and link the impact of international relations on business. She particularly loved her international economics course, an international organizations course and a course focused on business in China. And thanks to the professor of these courses, she had the opportunity to work as a research assistant at Real Instituto Elcano, where she took a deep dive into China’s economic power. She also participated in the production of a report on economic diplomacy, which was later shared with the Minister of Economics in Spain.

Rossella has taken her new skills and experiences into the real world as a consultant for Salesforce, the number one CRM platform worldwide. She focuses on digital transformation for SMBs and startups and enjoys helping these organizations find ways to improve the way they work with technology.

Her time in Madrid was full of discovery. To that end, her only recommendation in the city is to just walk—walk and discover its charm, culture and positive atmosphere. And for those interested in either of the programs she studied or studying a Dual Degree, Rossella encourages them to enjoy the journey, the diversity and the projects that serve as practice for the world of work.