MBA

Profiles

Luana Bichuetti, MBA 2010

With the exception of three high school years in Argentina, Luana Bichuetti lived all her life in Brazil. But three years of consulting at A.T. Kearney, Luana says, "made me realize I needed a broader perspective. I've always enjoyed the problem-solving side of business. Now I wanted a bigger point of view."

Encouraged by her father, an alum of HBS' Owner/President Management Program (OPM), Luana applied and was accepted to three prominent MBA programs. Visiting the HBS campus tilted her choice in HBS' favor. "I was surprised by the people. The students here have an amazing variety of backgrounds," says Luana. "The professors are very open to students. And they're not just academics; their work and board experiences inform their teaching." Campus life impressed her as well. "The clubs allow you to explore both professional and personal interests — the School has an infrastructure for what you want."

Making it real

But the clincher was the case method itself. "Case study makes the issues very real," Luana says. "By learning from real-life examples, we have a chance to put theories into practice." The stakes, however, are greater than the sum of the business lessons. "HBS always challenges you to make the right choices when economics and ethics come into play. We're always looking at values, at the role of a leader to set good examples."

Before she arrived at HBS, Luana had worked at Endeavor, a nonprofit that connects entrepreneurs with experienced business executives. "I saw that it wasn't enough to be eager — you have to learn how to be more effective." As co-president of the Volleyball Club, Luana "helps students who have the desire, but haven't played before." She sees that as a reflection of the kind of work she has done, and would like to continue to do, with entrepreneurs. "They want to make things happen," Luana says, "but sometimes you need to step back and think things through, like finding the right tools or the right timing."

"Anything's possible."

"People I've met here," says Luana, "have done everything I can imagine — and many things I cannot imagine. It makes you believe that anything's possible." For herself, the possibilities include an internship with a leading global insurance provider this summer, in Chicago and Paris. After graduation, Luana says, "my short-term goal involves consulting and industry. Long-term, I'm interested in starting my own business or working with other entrepreneurs."