tory paez

I am currently pursuing my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business as a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management fellow, Peace Corps Coverdell fellow, and Forté fellow. My goal during business school is to unify business principles and design methodology to tackle complex societal issues facing our world today. With innovative and human-centered solutions, I hope to work for a more economic equity in local, regional, national, and international communities. 

 

This particular portfolio documents my time as a Peace Corps Community Economic Development Advisor in my community Isla de Chira, Costa Rica. Located in the province of Puntarenas, Isla de Chira is 135 km from the capital, San José and has approximately 2,000 residents. A remote island in the Gulf of Nicoya, Isla de Chira is a rural fishing community, where 95% of the residents are fishermen and women. With a lack of economic diversity, the primary challenge during my service was to diversify the local economy in a responsible and sustainable way to ensure long-term growth and capacity building of community members. A historically indigenous community (Chorotega), Isla de Chira also has a unique cultural history, which presents related advantages and challenges.  

 

Prior to Peace Corps, I was a Senior Consultant within a business management and technology firm, West Monroe Partners, in Chicago, Illinois. As a rising leader in the Customer Experience practice, I focused on human-centered design projects and digital solutions by analyzing organizations’ strategies, processes, people, and technology.

 

Throughout my education and career, I have believed passionately in using business for social justice and causes. In 2014, I completed the Global Service Fischer Fellowship Program with Catalyst, an organization with the mission to expand opportunities for women in the workplace. In 2012, I served as a Community Development Intern, participating in grassroots consulting with entrepreneurs and community leaders in South Africa with the Social Entrepreneurship Corps. 

 

I graduated magna cum laude from Miami University (OH) with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Organizational Behavior, as well as with a minor in Women and Gender studies. While at Miami University, I competed as a Division I athlete on the cross country and track teams, as well as co-founded Women in Business. In summer 2011 I studied abroad with the Farmer School of Business European Program, focusing my experience on international business and information technology in Europe.