Eddison J. Moreno B.

ESADE Business School

Age: 43

“Citizen of the world, always looking for the opportunity hidden within the challenge.”

Hometown: Barcelona, Spain.

Family Members: Nataly (wife), Andrés (6 year old son)

Fun fact about yourself: I chose engineering as my “plan B” in case becoming a famous rock star didn’t work out.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

• Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Systems Engineer.
• Universidad de los Andes: Information Security Specialist.

Where are you currently working? Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Global Process and Capability manager for B2Bi

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: EMBA class representative

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? During the three months of strict quarantine in Spain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible to go out on the street, much less attend face-to-face classes. Knowing the importance of social interaction in our educational process, I started the “EMBA Sync Up” initiative, a weekly space where we connected online and a person from our cohort shared their professional experience and information about their company. It was a great opportunity to know each other and keep the group together during the months of isolation.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? In early 2018, I began to lead a project to give my company a competitive advantage in the eCommerce sector. After 3 years, I faced many challenges, including endless online meetings, traveling to many parts of the world, and being away from my family for extended periods of time and moving to another country. I am happy to say that my team achieved the proposed goals. This project led me to go beyond my limits and not give up in front of complex situations.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? There have been many teachers during the EMBA that I like to label as “unforgettable”. But I’d like to highlight Marcel Planellas and Alberto Gimeno from “General Management”. If I had to describe their class, I would say that it is like a Picasso painting. It opened my eyes to see organizations from a different perspective and showed me the beauty of the essential.

Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? Beyond the prestige of the school and its teachers, I fell in love with their vision. I believe the world can be a better place and that it is our responsibility to achieve it. Esade’s “Do good, do better” motto summarizes my vision about life and what I hope will be my legacy.

Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? One skill that makes the difference when doing an EMBA is learning how to make the most of your time. My day starts early in the morning (weekends included), organizing and prioritizing the activities that lie ahead. I believe that family comes first, but from time-to-time you need to make small sacrifices. Combining activities is a great way to minimize the impact. For example, when I had to create a promotional video for a business idea, I asked my 6-year-old son to join me as the lead actor. We went to the beach and had a great time playing and shooting the scenes.

When it comes to work, I have a very basic approach: “Only the things that create value are priority.” If you stop for a second and look back at your day, how many of the emails you received provided meaningful information? How many meetings did you actually have to attend? Developing the ability to identify what is important at work and investing your time in value-creating activities (such as studying) is key to stay on top of your game.

What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? An executive MBA is a unique experience and therefore you should make the most of it. Be organized, plan ahead, and set clear expectations (especially with your family).

What is the biggest myth about going back to school? The biggest myth about going back to school, especially after not studying for several years, is that your brain is not as sharp as it used to be. It is true that it takes time to “get back in shape” when it comes to reading a lot or writing deliverables, but it is not as difficult as you may think.

What was your biggest regret in business school? Starting an EMBA at Esade was the opportunity hidden within the challenge of a job relocation to Spain with my family. Only 5 months after moving from Colombia, I embarked on this adventure. My only regret is not having this opportunity sooner.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Elena Diaz was my co-representative during the first part of the EMBA. I admire her courage and resilience in the face of challenges. When she presented her business idea in front of the class, everybody was amazed by the serenity and bravery that she displayed. In addition to speaking openly about a medical condition that she suffers, she is also working to help many other women like her. Simply admirable!

What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? – Time flexibility. It allowed me to combine a demanding job, a family recently relocated to Spain and my desire to continue growing as a professional.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I believe that your professional life is a reflection of your personal life. My ultimate goal is to be the leader of an organization where integrity, passion and creativity are the main drivers.

What made Eddison such an invaluable addition to the class of 2021?

“Eddison has been from the very beginning of the Esade EMBA Programme a pillar for the entire group. Always positive and with a strong problem-solving attitude, helped in the transition through the pandemic. Is a very open minded and quest for knowledge EMBA participant. His collaborative spirit and supportive behaviour reflects his complete fit in the Esade culture.”

Michele Quintano
Associate Dean for Executive MBA Programmes at Esade Business School

DON’T MISS: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST EXECUTIVE MBA GRADUATES OF 2021