Alejandra Ascanio Lizaire

When she enrolled in Questrom, Alejandra Ascanio Lizaire was a sales marketing manager at NBCUniversal, where she built the Integrated Marketing team, working with brands, such as McDonald’s, Nissan, Boston Harbor Hotel, and Stop & Shop. With a full-time job, she needed all the flexibility she could get.

Questrom’s PEMBA program had just what she was looking for.

“BU has the best part-time evening program with a flex track,” Alejandra says. “You can choose how many classes you take at a time, what you want, when you want. It’s super easy to go through the process.”

Alejandra didn’t know it then, but the PEMBA program’s flexibility would quickly become a bigger deal than she thought. Partway through the program, she landed a new job with greater responsibility at Fidelity Investments, where she immediately started applying her new skills. “The MBA has taught me a lot,” she says. “Every class I take has really helped me develop an overview of each business department and how they work together. I feel like my mind really opened up, and I see my work differently.”

But the next year had more in store for Alejandra. She bought a new house, discovered she was pregnant, and then, she and her husband contracted COVID-19.

“There were so many times I thought I should give up,” she says, “but my professors were amazing. Of course, I can't do it all alone, and my family and coworkers are my biggest cheerleaders, but the PEMBA program has been great—and so worth it!”

With everything she’s managing, Alejandra would have a right to take it easy. But that’s not in her DNA. After she earns her MBA, she intends to pursue a PhD and become a university professor. “I’ve always loved school and learning and mentoring others,” she says, “and making all people feel included, especially minority and female students.”

Alejandra is moving toward her career goal by making time to serve as an MBA-Undergraduate mentor and PEMBA Ambassador. She’s also gotten involved in BU’s undergraduate Marketing Club and the Her Network Conference, where as a speaker and panelist she shares her academic and career experiences with young female and minority students.

For working professionals who say they don’t have time to enroll in an MBA program, Alejandra has this message: “Yes you do! You have the time. It will be challenging, but you can do it at BU. And it’s so worth it!”