Simona Gallego Llano, MBA ’26
For Simona Gallego Llano, MBA ’26, a globally ranked business school experience was the essential piece she needed to propel new possibilities for career advancement. But more than an individual career goal, it was a shared dream with her husband to build their collective future at the Ross School of Business.
What was your role/career prior to enrolling at Michigan Ross?
Consultant for Mastercard Advisors in Colombia, working with financial services companies.
Why did you want to go to business school?
I reached a point in my career where I felt I needed to advance my strategic thinking skills and global mindset to progress further, and I knew that a top-tier MBA would be a catalyst for strengthening my professional journey. However, more than just an individual career move, pursuing business school was a shared family dream with my husband. He also wanted to pursue an MBA, so for us, business school was about supporting each other's aspirations, growing as a couple, and building our future together.
Why did you choose Michigan Ross?
After initially visiting campus together, it was clear that Michigan Ross was the perfect fit for both of us. The Ross culture of collaboration and excellence, as reflected in its global rankings, aligned perfectly with our values and goals. Additionally, the school’s strengths in the specific career fields we both wanted to pursue made it a place where we could both truly thrive.
How would you describe the student culture?
To me, the student community is the greatest gift of the Michigan Ross experience. It’s hard to put it into words until you experience it for yourself, but there is a profound sense of "togetherness." The culture is also genuinely supportive, friendly, and collaborative. People truly want you to succeed as much as they want to succeed themselves.
I have built a very close-knit group of friends here and formed relationships I know I’ll carry with me for years to come. Even before I was admitted, students helped me navigate the application process, and now, as a student myself, my peers have helped me with classwork, recruiting activities, and some personal situations I faced recently. It’s a place where people care about you as a person, not just as a student.
What makes Ross, Ross?
Ross is the perfect combination of a "pay-it-forward" culture and the immense power of its brand. There’s a reason we say, "Go Blue, Go Anywhere." The doors this school opens are incredible. On top of that, the people you walk through those doors with make the experience so very special.
What kinds of action-based learning opportunities have you participated in?
Of course, the cornerstone of my action-based learning work was my Multidisciplinary Action Project experience. I got to apply everything I’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world business challenge.
I also participated in the Leadership Crisis Challenge alongside Executive MBA students, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. It was a unique opportunity to exercise leadership under pressure, forcing me to navigate uncertainty, manage stakeholders’ interests, and collaborate with my team. I also got to sharpen my public speaking and high-stakes communication skills. Having all this take place in a fictional environment gave me the confidence to try out new skills and take risks. I learned from my mistakes, received great feedback, and feel more prepared to handle difficult challenges in the real world.
What are some of the most valuable takeaways you’ve gained, so far, from the program?
The most profound takeaway for me has been the development of deep, personal resilience. Before starting the program, I never imagined how much I would grow in this area. I’ve been exposed to challenging, high-pressure situations that tested my limits, and I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about individual strength, but also the humility to lean on others and the grit to keep moving forward. Additionally, I’ve become more intentional about how I align my daily decisions with my larger goals and values, such as my goal to work in strategy.
How have you already applied your learning to the real world?
The Ross curriculum is designed to be put into practice immediately, and I experienced this firsthand during MAP and in my summer internship. In both contexts, I especially utilized the strategic frameworks and analytical tools I gained during my first year.
What advice would you give students considering applying to this program?
My biggest piece of advice is to be very intentional with your time here. Ross provides an incredible number of opportunities, and it’s easy to feel stretched thin. My recommendation is to stay focused on your purpose, so that you can prioritize how to most effectively spend your time to get the biggest benefit.
Beyond that, live the experience to the fullest and make sure you don't just go through the motions of any aspect of the program. Truly immerse yourself, and you will experience the difference that makes.