A Father’s Legacy and a Daughter’s Dream. – Tomasz did the IESE AMP’07 and Maria the MiM’24 Program
Q: Maria, it is so nice having you. Do you mind telling us about your first visit to IESE with your father and how it influenced you?
Maria: “Yes, during the summer after my high school, we were with my dad in Barcelona, and he took me to IESE to show me around the campus. He took me to the rooftop, and we were talking about my future, which at that point was piano—I was about to start my bachelor’s in piano performance, which then ended up being six years of studying piano, completing it with my master’s from Mozarteum. At that point, I never thought I could ever do IESE or that my path would go this way, but he was just telling me about his studies during the AMP program and about IESE and its values. This somehow stayed with me, and it became a growing desire to do IESE myself one day. And here I am.”
Q: Transitioning from piano performance to business is a significant and massive shift. How was this experience for you?
Maria: “Transitioning from piano performance to completing a master’s in business management has been a transformative journey. My time at Mozarteum University equipped me with discipline and creativity, now harmonized with the strategic and analytical skills I developed at IESE. The program ensured that both experienced business students and newcomers like me could grasp the essentials, making such a significant career pivot not only possible but incredibly rewarding.”
Q: How did you find the case method as a learning tool?
Maria: “The case method was an absolutely unique approach where we explored business stories, problems, and solutions from a variety of perspectives. This made the learning process much more memorable, as it went beyond ‘dry knowledge’ and delved into real-life scenarios. Classes were highly engaging, feeling like solving a riddle while learning essential business tools. This dynamic environment helped us develop critical thinking and pragmatic knowledge, which I know will make us better, more flexible managers.”
Q: What did you consider your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
Maria: “Our Class of 2024 was incredibly diverse, not just in nationalities but also in backgrounds and characters. We came from 25 different countries, bringing vibrant, bright, fun, and interesting perspectives to the table. Coming from a completely different background in piano performance, despite having no prior business experience, I brought a unique blend of creative solutions and analytical skills developed during my musical career.”
Q: How did receiving the IESE Ambassador Scholarship impact your journey?
Maria: “Receiving the IESE Ambassador Scholarship was an honor. It not only helped me finance my studies but also gave me a responsibility to advocate for the school. I gladly took part in various initiatives as an IESE Ambassador, contributing to the community and representing the values and excellence of IESE.”
Q: What are your post-MiM career interests?
Maria: “After completing the MiM, I am eager to delve into the world of entrepreneurship, particularly within the arts and music industries from a business perspective. Regardless of the specific path I choose, I feel that the MiM has opened up a world of opportunities for me, making the future full of exciting possibilities.”
For Maria’s father Tomasz, seeing his daughter venture into the business world represents the fulfillment of a long-held hope that she would one day experience the same transformation. His belief in IESE’s values—integrity, excellence and spirit of service—lives on in her, a testament to both their journeys and the living proof of leaders having an impact on people, companies and society.
Thank you Maria and Tomasz. I really look forward to seeing you during the Global Alumni Reunion in November. I hope we can listen to you playing the piano, I will do my best to bring you the means for that. All our appreciation, you really are an IESE Ambassador and represent IESE values no matter where you are. THANKS&THANKS
