An interview with Luis Soto, President of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) at Babson College
1. What are the goals of ALPFA and can you tell me how the organization got started?
ALPFA Babson started last year with the help of a now financial analyst at JP Morgan named Claudia Gutierrez. Her goal was to further develop the connections between companies and Babson students. As a president this year my goal was to build a relationship with Latino students, of course not excluding others and being inclusive in everything we did. Yet with the brand of ALPFA and its traditions it was easier to attract Latino students and companies seeking Latinos. My goal was to grant the students the opportunity to have more summer internships and jobs through ALPFA’s network—which is extent. Some of these goals were meet as ALPFA students were placed in the SEO program, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Edward Jones Investments, TJX Companies, just to mention a few.
2. What type of events does the organization run during the year?
Most of our events are networking events between companies recruiting and students seeking guidance, mentoring, and/or internships. One great event that we helped to set-up and guided students to it was the Latin American Entrepreneurship forum 2010. This event brought the most prestigious and known entrepreneurs of the region as an example former president of Mexico Vicente Fox, BMW Latin America CEO, founder of Pollo Campero, CEO Staples Latin America, and all just to mention a few. The turnaround for this event was 400 attendees and 150 watching online across borders.
2. Luis, can you tell me about yourself?
I am originally from Colombia but have reside in New York City for the past years but still maintaining my roots and trying to further develop the Latino community especially here at Babson. Since high school I was interested in not only being a leader and helping others but studied in a commercial school where my love for business came about. Besides business my biggest love has been football (soccer in USA) which has brought many fond memories.
4. Babson is renowned for its entrepreneurship program. How does the college create an entrepreneurial environment for its students?
Babson has been at the forefront of Entrepreneurship for the past 13 years and its currently the number one in the world for it. Besides the many classes about entrepreneurship and innovation, Babson promotes student businesses through activities and programming. Babson has not only focus its efforts within the USA, but has done so abroad. I personally took part of one of the abroad programs; it entailed traveling to Ghana with other 40 students to teach entrepreneurship to high school students and help small business owners to further develop their business skills and entrepreneurial thinking.
5. Where do you see the most opportunities for business start-ups?
I believe much is happening in Silicon Valley and on the web. A new Web revolution is picking up steam, and the next Google or Microsoft could emerge from the companies that are in the vanguard. Yet with so many of them, the important aspect and further development of Web 2.0 and its addition must be brought to developing nations. Currently Colombia has just recorded its highest number in internet usage and companies must capitalize on this gaps and new untapped opportunities.
6. Where can students go to get more information about your organization or to reach out to you?
Luis Soto: lsoto1@babson.edu
(646) 322-5626
