Blazing My Trail: Empowering Leaders as a Salesforce MBA Intern

This summer, I interned at Salesforce as an employee success business partner (ESBP) graduate intern on the human resources team.

As a Full-Time MBA student and Latina leader, I sought to apply my background in educational psychology and healthcare program management to a global corporate setting.  

Guided by my values of service, resilience and community, my experience at Salesforce clarified how I want to direct my MBA toward driving meaningful change.

Grounded in My Roots

The internship search can feel overwhelming. What helped me navigate it were the voices that reminded me to stay grounded in my purpose. I carried with me advice from Assistant Vice Chancellor Alejandra Rincón at UC San Francisco: “Always go back to your roots.” That grounding helped me approach each interview with authenticity and a clear connection to what truly drives me.

I also remember a moment with a fellow MBA classmate who encouraged me not to count myself out. Their words inspired me to apply beyond my comfort zone, which introduced me to companies working with purpose and social responsibility.

That mindset shift and the support of my family, mentors and peers helped me move forward feeling grounded and true to myself.

From the first call with recruiter Sasha Tenenbaum Lane, I felt cared for and respected.

Everything about the interview process was intentional and human-centered. For the final interview panel, I created a case presentation focused on launching a new talent assessment framework. It was a chance to bring together strategic thinking, operational planning and cultural alignment. In April, I was overjoyed to accept the internship offer from Salesforce.

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Empowering Leaders, Building Systems at Salesforce

During my internship I supported the customer success organization, which spans over 10,000 employees across 35 countries. My focus was on enabling others to thrive. I learned from inspiring leaders, including my manager Susanna Hunter and trail guide Sarah Bassett, who led with warmth and authenticity, helping me align personal growth with strategic impact.

One of my most meaningful projects was launching the Customer Success Sponsored Graduate Program (CSSGP), a first-of-its-kind initiative that offers top leaders the opportunity to attend fully sponsored graduate programs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) or Stanford University. It was a response to employee feedback and a passion project of our organization’s president, Jim Roth.

With nearly 400 eligible employees, our team of four had just eight weeks to build and launch the program. I worked with global stakeholders, helped create the application process and evaluation tools, and collaborated on logistics, including tuition, salary and benefits.

We used tools like Slack workflows and AI platforms to move efficiently and anticipate risks. In the end, we received 21 applications, interviewed seven finalists and selected two incredible leaders. The project resonated deeply with my passion for education and helping others grow.

I led the global Executive Assistant Alignment project to improve workload balance, and streamline alignment and real-time updates for 27 executive assistants supporting 68 executives. The existing process was manual and lacked real-time visibility.

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I designed and implemented a new automated system using Slack and Google Sheets, with input from internal teams and tech engineers. The tool delivered real-time visibility, reduced administrative burden and ensured equitable global workload management.

Lessons from the MBA Classroom

My MBA coursework showed up in tangible ways throughout my internship. Lean Six Sigma helped me think critically about workflows and how to remove inefficiencies.

Classes like Organizational Strategy and Managing for Operational Excellence gave me the tools to design systems that were both structured and flexible, especially when working across global teams and time zones.

In my Applied AI course, I learned how to use new tools thoughtfully and ethically, which became a key part of how I built smarter, more responsible workflows.

And in Business Strategy Consulting, I learned how to frame complex problems and communicate clearly.

My MBA gave me the tools to lead with data, design with purpose and keep people at the heart of every system.

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Leading with Heart

My understanding of leadership began long before my MBA journey. As a child, I translated and advocated for my parents when they faced language barriers. In early adulthood, I cared for my mother through cancer treatments, learning how to navigate complex healthcare systems with strength and compassion. These experiences taught me that leadership begins with purpose, commitment and love.

That same commitment continues to guide me today. Through the Chicana Latina Foundation and Hispanic Scholarship Foundation year-long leadership programs, I’ve engaged in intensive workshops, mentorship circles and community advocacy projects that elevate Latinx voices in professional spaces. These experiences have strengthened my capacity to build inclusive, values-driven organizations where diverse perspectives are centered and celebrated.

I strive to lead a life that honors people’s cultural roots and journeys, uplifting minority women as they navigate systemic barriers and claim the respect and opportunities they deserve by embracing who they are.

At Salesforce, I saw leadership grounded in service, integrity and inclusion thrive globally, affirming the values that shape my own leadership journey.

The experience gave me both direction and conviction: I’ve seen how HR can empower careers, elevate voices and reflect a company’s deepest values. I’m excited to keep growing as a people-first leader focused on trust, inclusion and impact.

This internship marks a defining chapter in my MBA journey, career and life.