27/02/2025
It's always good to make a change.
For many, pursuing an MBA is a stepping stone to career advancement. But for Abigail Nieto, it became something much more—a transformative journey of self-discovery, personal growth and finding a new purpose. Read on to see how a studying an MBA in Spain has helped Abigail define her career path.
From Lima to Madrid: The road to IE Business School
With a background in traditional finance, Abigail always knew she wanted to pursue an MBA. She admired the skills and mindset of colleagues who had done the program and wanted to develop that for her own professional growth. “I saw that the professional quality of their work was totally different. They did everything with a different perspective from other people who didn’t have an MBA and hadn’t lived abroad.” She also saw an MBA as an opportunity to expand her professional opportunities beyond finance.
Abigail’s interest in IE Business School was inspired by a former boss. “Every time that he came to talk to us, he would tell us about the benefits of studying an MBA in Spain, but also his experience at IE University and in Madrid.”
While Abigail explored other renowned MBA programs, including those at Columbia and Stanford, IE Business Schoool’s emphasis on diversity stood out. “I learned later that IE Business School has many more benefits—like its focus on entrepreneurial innovation,” said Abigail. Her desire to experience an international education with students from all around the world cemented her decision to come to Madrid for the International MBA.
Gaining a global perspective with an MBA in Spain
Living in Madrid gave Abigail the chance to connect with peers from all over the world while experiencing the city’s vibrant culture. Speaking about her classmates, she shares, “I think most of us feel like we are in a new country, so we try to support each other. Madrid, as a place to study business, I think it’s the best option—it’s easy to get around and it’s super-safe.”
“I think now, after the International MBA, if I have the opportunity to work with anyone from any part of the world, I know how.”
Her classmates quickly became a second family, providing a network of support and encouragement. “For me, it was not just the theoretical part of diversity—the new ways to work with groups, new ways to approach a problem or how to solve it—it was building friends and a family with some of my classmates.” This environment encouraged her to open up, build lasting friendships and broaden her global perspective.
Finding a purpose in sustainable finance
The turning point in Abigail’s journey came during the Social Impact Lab in South Africa. Here she worked with Play Africa, a nonprofit organization focused on improving children’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills through play-based learning. Since she has experience in finance, she worked on fundraising for the organization.
This experience marked a shift in her career aspirations. “It was still fundraising, but for an NGO that needs to get more money to keep doing the work they’re doing, like trying to teach children and improving education in South Africa.” She realized she wanted to remain in finance, but in a way that created a tangible impact.
“I think anybody who wants to have a change or a new path needs to do an MBA to help them realize what they want.”
When she returned to Madrid, she took advantage of courses like Sustainable Finance and Sustainable Marketing to deepen her knowledge in these areas and pursue her new purpose. “It’s still about the numbers, the financial statements, the reports… but now it has an impact, a sustainable impact,” she explains. “You can work in investment but try to make a positive social or environmental impact.” Without planning to, she even ended up earning the IE Foundations of Sustainability Certificate. That’s when she knew she’d developed a new passion.
Looking ahead, her career aspirations now focus on the growing field of ESG finance: “I want to be in a position to help companies try to measure the impact they’re having.” She notes that this field is critical, not just in Europe but also in Latin America, where sustainable finance will soon be essential.
Advice for future students: Studying an MBA in Spain
For those considering the International MBA, Abigail’s advice is clear: take the leap. She describes completing an MBA as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that’s not just about changing your career—it’s about figuring out what you want to do and who you want to be.
She emphasizes that IE Business School’s community is one of its greatest strengths. “If you come here, you’re going to find people who are open, friendly and willing to share their knowledge.” She describes it as a place where you can grow, both personally and professionally.
“For me, it wasn’t just the professional benefits of diversity—learning new ways to work with groups, new ways to approach a problem or how to solve it—it was building friends and a family with some of my classmates.”
Through her International MBA journey, Abigail discovered that true success is about aligning one’s skills with a greater purpose. By combining her expertise in finance with her passion for sustainability, she is paving the way for a career that creates meaningful, lasting change.
Benjamin is the editor of Uncover IE. His writing is featured in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Vol. 19, The Primer and Moonflake Press. Benjamin provided translation for “FalseStuff: La Muerte de las Musas”, winner of Best Theatre Show at the Max Awards 2024.
Benjamin was shortlisted for the Bristol Old Vic Open Sessions 2016 and the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2023.
