Born and raised in the Philippines, Santiago Xavier Elizalde began his career with ATR Asset Management, Inc., a local asset management firm in Manila, where he developed their wholesale business and advanced within the firm. His focus was on growing the company’s client base and its assets. In addition to his primary role, he led the company’s digital transformation efforts to a successful overhaul of company-wide marketing assets that revamped brand awareness and client engagement. 

After 5 years with the firm, he joined the ESSEC Global MBA program as part of the class of 2022. Besides his passions for asset management and business development, Santi is a sports fan, with a particular love of football. He’s also an avid motorcycle rider and music enthusiast. Above all, he loves learning, which is part of why the GMBA is such a good fit. Keep reading to hear Santi’s story in his own words.

What motivated you to begin the MBA process after 5 years of professional experience?

When work slowed during COVID, I used the time to reflect on my career and how I could improve my skills and take advantage of opportunities around the world.  Through my passion for sports and my work as a Trustee and Board Member of a local non-profit organization that uses football to help underprivileged children, I decided that I wanted to make a change and enter the sports industry. I thought that an MBA would get me where I needed to go.

Why did you choose the ESSEC GMBA program?

I joined the program to switch my career path from finance to sports. I was looking for a one-year MBA program with an intimate but extremely diverse cohort and also a fantastic network in Europe and Asia. I ultimately chose ESSEC’s Strategy & Digital Leadership track as it ticked all those boxes and also provided me with the right tools to become a leader in today’s digital world.

On top of that, the program would give me the chance to live in France, where I had never been before, and Singapore, where I hope to kickstart my career after graduation.

Tell us about your favorite moment(s) in the program so far.

One of the best moments in the program so far was our cohort’s Secret Santa gift-giving before holiday break. It was amazing to see how well we had gotten to know one other over the previous four months! We had a great time and it was a fantastic way to let off some steam after a challenging first term.

What is the biggest challenge you've overcome?

An initial challenge I experienced with the groups I’ve worked with is how to work together, despite broad diversity in how each individual works. It is important to recognize how each person operates and what their motivations are. I make sure to initiate conversations so I can better understand what they want out of the project and with this information, l aim to understand what our collective strengths and weaknesses are as a group. Once I understand this, we are better able to allocate the tasks and leverage our own prior experiences to be the most efficient and effective team we can be.

Why did you choose Singapore for your 3rd trimester and what are you most looking forward to about the opportunity?

As one of the strongest business hubs in Asia and the world, Singapore is a chance for me to explore Asia’s fast-growing sports scene and to begin growing my network within the region and kick-starting my job search.

I am looking forward to applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations at my internship as well as growing my network.

Tell us about the internship opportunity you are pursuing.

I will be interning in Business Development for Silk Road Sports Consulting. Among other services, the firm manages athletes and their brands and helps sports entities open business structures or organize events/competitions in Southeast Asia. As someone coming from outside the industry, this was the exact opportunity I was looking for.

How did the GMBA program help you get your internship?

Thanks to the amazing coordination of the ESSEC GMBA Talent Center. The various workshops taught us how to improve our personal brand and provided tips for writing cover letters and interviewing, and even how to make our LinkedIn profiles more appealing. Also, the ESSEC opportunities have been very helpful.

It has also allowed me to begin professionalizing my interest in sports, and I am working to create the ESSEC Global MBA Sports Council with my GMBA colleague Julien Mendez. The Club provides opportunities for students to publish sport industry analyses and business strategy recommendations.

What is the most valuable aspect of the ESSEC GMBA program?

Its diversity.

Our cohort is the most diverse group of people I have ever been around and I have already learned an immense amount. Currently, the cohort consists of 39 individuals with a total of 15 different nationalities! There’s also so much diversity in terms of industry and professional background. 

What advice would you give to future applicants?

The ESSEC GMBA experience will end up being whatever you make of it, but to get the most out of the opportunities, don’t say no!

What books or inspiring leaders would you recommend reading or following?

I would recommend The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger, former Disney CEO, which highlights Iger’s “Ten Principles Necessary to True Leadership,” a list of ideals that I cherish.

And finally, can you sum up your GMBA experience so far in 3 words?

 

INFINITE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES 

 

Learn more about the ESSEC Global MBA program

>> Talk to an ESSEC Global MBA Student Ambassador
>> Download the brochure
>> Interested in joining? Talk to our Admissions Manager