Sara Ivette Poveda Vanegas

In order to thrive in today’s fast-paced world, Sara believes it’s necessary to obtain a broad variety of academic competencies, develop soft skills and rely on informed decisions. And her actions have mirrored her beliefs.

Sara completed an MBA at Universidad Americana UAM in Nicaragua—graduating Magna Cum Laude—while also working full time as a Sales Manager at Seaboard Marine. This experience allowed her to improve her organizational and decision-making skills.

She was awarded a Chevening scholarship from the UK government that allowed her to study a full-time Master of Letters in International Business at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she graduated with distinctions and on the University’s Dean’s List. This experience allowed her to broaden her international outlook, strengthen her leadership skills and gain new perspectives on solving global issues.

She chose IE University because of its base in humanities as a way to better understand the world, through its diverse nationalities, cultures and ideas.

However, she wanted something more. Understanding that ethical decision-making is required in the working world, Sara decided to pursue the Executive Master in International Trade at IE University. She chose IE University because of its base in humanities as a way to better understand the world, through its diverse nationalities, cultures and ideas. She also credits IE University’s Liquid Learning methodology with influencing her choice. In addition to the flexibility required for her schedule, the applied knowledge that she would gain through this methodology appealed to her.

During Sara’s IE University journey, she was exposed to a broad range of perspectives and views that resulted in a wholly rewarding experience. She emphasizes that, as the Executive Master in International Trade is jointly designed by the International Trade Center (ITC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), she was able to gain access to a program that’s fully aligned with current affairs. Furthermore, given that fundamental aspects of trade are currently being redrawn by geopolitical and technological trends, these cutting-edge topics were frequently the subject of conversation among her international cohort of students and faculty. Being able to analyze up-to-date sector changes with other top professionals added to the richness of her educational experience.

Awarded the SheTrades Scholarship during its first tenure, Sara stands firm in her belief that education is paramount to bettering society. This scholarship represents a unique platform through which women working in trade can unleash their maximum potential—bringing together regulators, multinational institution representatives and business world executives. Sara seeks to play a part in expanding the reach of the program and its network in order to help foster opportunities to discuss how trade works.

Through her studies at IE University, Sara has witnessed how trade is changing rapidly. Countless discussion on trade, its governance, and the impact of geopolitical and technological trends have allowed Sara to enhance her skills and business knowledge, advance in her organization and stay on top of market trends.

But against this backdrop of fast-paced change, Sara remains determined to channel her incredible success to produce a positive, lasting impact on people’s lives.