Anderson Ambassadors

Undergraduate Degree/Other degrees obtained: BE in Information Technology, Mumbai University

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Anderson Program: Masters’ of Science in CyberSecurity and Business Analytics (MS-CBA)

Email: sonalig@unm.edu

What’s your story?
After graduating in 2017, I became part of a multinational IT company and worked as a Technology Business Analyst for 4 years. During this time I got to work on diverse tools and technologies, it was also this time where I identified my inclination towards Data Visualization & Statistical Analysis. My decision to pursue a Master's of Science in CyberSecurity and Business Analytics was driven by my passion for analyzing data to discover insights & uncover trends, and also by increasing market demand for leaders of the highest qualification – who have skills to apply technology and its newer iteration in the creation of business models.

What are your career goals?
In the long-term, I envision myself as a highly-skilled consultant or a manager in the Information Technology industry.

Why Anderson School of Management?
While shortlisting Universities for my Master’s course I was focused on STEM approval, relevant coursework, and affordability. UNM Anderson School of Management was a perfect fit after considering these factors.

Undergraduate Degree/Other degrees obtained: BA in Psychology with a minor in Business

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Anderson Program: MBA for Professionals

Email: mlucero33@unm.edu

Ambassador Position:  Vice-President

What’s your story?
I graduated Magna Cum Laude with other honors. I am passionate about politics, veterans, and volunteering for different causes.

What are your career goals?
My end goal is to become a Human Resource Director of an institution.

Why Anderson School of Management?
Albuquerque is where I was born and raised; I am lucky that UNM offers a wonderful AACSB Business school. Ideally, I would like to reinvest my education back into my hometown and start a nonprofit to help veterans reintegrate back into the civilian workforce and utilize my BA in Psychology to provide a strong support system to aid in their successful transition back into society.

Undergraduate Degree/Other degrees obtained: BA in Economics

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Anderson Program: MBA - Concentration in Finance

Email: ieshelman@unm.edu

Ambassador Position:  Secretary

What’s your story?
I am a 22-year-old graduate student at Anderson, I have many passions and hobbies including but not limited to bodybuilding, video games, reading, cooking, and traveling. I was very interested in money since I was little and found myself very frustrated not knowing how the world works financially. This led me to a passion in understanding markets and various aspects of financial life. I began taking classes for an undergraduate degree in economics and have since finished said degree and got admitted into the 3-2 program where I have concentrated on finance. I feel very fortunate to have found my passion of finance because I feel it gives me a head start in my potential career path.

What are your career goals?
I would very much like to find myself in a wealth or asset management career. I strive to learn and gain as much knowledge as possible so that one day I can shift to personal finance and day trading so that I have more free time and freedom. I would also like to give guest lectures and spread wisdom and knowledge I learn throughout my years. Nowadays it is very important to have mentors in any field you find yourself in but, in the finance world it is especially important. I would like to teach younger and inexperienced students about what they should expect in this field, while providing them with valuable tools and information to further their success.

Why Anderson School of Management?
I had very strong emotions over my learning in economics. I felt as though I had only learned a fraction of how the financial world operates. Although I had already had the 3-2 program in mind, I knew that it wasn’t until I started management/finance classes that I would feel more satisfied with my learning. I believe that Anderson and the 3-2 program were the greatest opportunities available to me and any other student. Time and knowledge are two extremely important things to me and both Anderson and the 3-2 have provided me to a great deal of knowledge and saved me time and money. Anderson has very intelligent teachers and extremely interesting course options and I feel this has also increased the knowledge I have not only on general topics but on more specialized topics and fields.

Undergraduate Degree/Other degrees obtained:
BBA with a concentration in Finance; Minor in Economics

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Anderson Program: MBA for Professionals

Email: mslenes@unm.edu

Ambassador Position:  President

What’s your story?
I graduated in 2021 with a 3.82 GPA. Throughout my undergraduate, I worked as a host, server, bartender, and assistant manager at Jinja Bar & Bistro in the Northeast Heights. Upon graduating with my Bachelors’ degree, I took a long-term internship at UAS Wealth Advisors. I am currently working at UAS where I trade securities for clients, help advisors with retirement plans, create financial proposals, and research the overall stock market. Alongside this internship, I am working at UNM as a Graduate Assistant for Dr. Reilly White and Ms. Marisa Martinez.

What are your career goals?
I plan on becoming a Chartered Financial Planner (CFP) after graduating to become a financial advisor. As a personal goal, I would like to become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) within the next 10 years. I am planning on turning my internship into a career after I graduate with an MBA in 2023.

Why Anderson School of Management?
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, and I knew that Anderson’s business school was great. Given the great program, low in-state tuition costs, scholarships offered, and the fact that I could live with my parents throughout college, I couldn’t see myself being at any other school! I really enjoy the professors and staff at UNM, and I’ve really been able to connect with these wonderful people throughout achieving my MBA.

Undergraduate Degree/Other degrees obtained:
BA in International Business

Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Anderson Program: MBA

Email: cfernandes@unm.edu

What’s your story?
I am an international student from Brazil living and studying in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My journey as a foreign student started almost 6 years ago in 2017 when I decided to leave my home country to travel and learn a new language in the US. I was an Au pair for 2 years before I decided to go back to school here in NM. I have been to more than 40 states, as traveling is one of my passions along with Finance and Accounting. My career path started when I was 17 as an intern for a commercial bank (HSBC) working with trading. At the age of 21, I graduated from college, while I was a manager for one of the biggest commercial banks in South America (Itau Unibanco). I am also a CPA certified. My first goal coming to the US was to learn English, however life had other plans for me as I am currently pursuing an MBA.

What are your career goals?
I am looking for a job where I can combine the languages I speak (Portuguese, English and Spanish) and a company that would give me the opportunity to challenge myself. I am highly interested in Accounting, Economics and Finance.

Why Anderson School of Management?
I always say that I didn’t choose New Mexico, New Mexico chose me. Anderson is a place where I feel accepted and welcomed. It is a place where I can combine an amazing curriculum with affordable tuition.