Ranked #1 in the World
Related Links
Participate in Online Chat or WebcastsBrochures
 |
+ | Request a Global MBA brochure |
*The most recent version of Flash Player is needed to view this brochure. To check your system's version of Flash or to download Flash updates, follow this link. | ||
 |
Fernanda Meza '09 |
Fernanda Meza '09
Participation in the Model United Nations during junior and senior high school left a lasting impression on Fernanda Meza '09. "I have always felt a strong inclination toward the international arena," says Meza, pointing to the Model United Nations experience that introduced her to different world perspectives and provided an awareness of current events on the other side of the world.
Since then, the Mexican-Costa Rican Meza has taken advantage of that global interest, studying and becoming proficient in French, and traveling to destinations including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, and Costa Rica.
"I still need to complete my eastern and western European tour," she says, indicating that she's attracted to cities that she can walk by foot: San Francisco, New York, Boston, Paris, Buenos Aires, London, and Hong Kong.
As a hardlines merchandise manager for Wal-Mart Global Procurement, Meza also spends time in Argentina, Brazil, China and Canada, searching for products ranging from raw hide chews and stationery items to towels and pillowcases. She's responsible for operating and sourcing import-export merchandise programs that satisfy Wal-Mart's retail market needs. "I am currently responsible for Latin American sourcing activities in all categories that are not included within the apparel and food divisions."
Since beginning with Wal-Mart in 2004, Meza has increased the volume of her team's operations in 2006 and achieved excellent performance ratings in 2005. The 32-year-old business professional was first introduced to the export market through a previous general manager position with the largest rustic furniture manufacturer in northern Mexico, Maderarte Industrial. "Ninety-five percent of sales were for the export market," explains Meza, who coordinated the company's sales, customer service, accounting, logistics, sourcing and production activities.
The experience, she says, was great preparation for her role at Wal-Mart. "This MBA program has allowed me to continue working and not give up a job that I truly enjoy," says Meza of the joint Thunderbird-ITESM program. An undergraduate of ITESM in international business, Meza says her affinity for her alma mater also contributed to her attraction to the program.
During her first week of orientation at Thunderbird's Glendale campus in August, Meza says she learned a great deal. "The networking established during the first week of the program in Glendale was incredible," she says. "Our first video case study was actually about Wal-Mart and whether it was 'good for America.' Needless to say, I had a lot of input to give, but I am also taking our senior executives the view my classmates have of Wal-Mart."
As she continued through the program, Meza says she was most interested in expanding her business knowledge in other areas, including marketing, corporate relations and communications. A long-term dream is to do some type of work in the journalism and writing field – whether for her career or for pleasure.
1 Global Place, Glendale, AZ 85306-6000
+1 (602) 978-7000 | 800-848-9084 (US)
