Ana Maria Puerta Sanchez
CITIZENSHIP
Colombia
HINRICH SCHOLARSHIP
University of AucklandAuckland, New Zealand
Master of International Business, Class of 2021
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT
Customer Experience SpecialistXero, Auckland, New Zealand
“Being a recipient of the Hinrich Global Trade Leader scholarship constitutes a challenge. It inspires me to enhance my leadership skills to guide international trade towards the global society's sustainable growth.”
Scholar background
Ana Maria is a professional with experience in the agricultural sector and customer service. Originally from Colombia, Ana graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Eafit University, where she worked as a Research Assistant on the school’s crop irrigation project and gained valuable experience engaging with stakeholders and evaluating business models.
In pursuit of her passion for international business, Ana decided to travel to Europe to improve her English skills before moving to New Zealand to pursue her master’s degree in International Business at the University of Auckland. With the help of a Hinrich Global Trade Leader Scholarship, Ana successfully completed her studies in 2021.
Currently, Ana is a Customer Experience Specialist at Xero, a cloud-based accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses. She is a part of the global banking team and supports partners and customers in connecting their local and international banks to the software.
Personal statement
Inspired by my No. 1 coffee producer in the world - my Dad, I have been engaged in trade since I was a child and hoped I could trade our coffee brand "La Galicia" worldwide someday.
I started my journey with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, where I had the opportunity to study international strategies, a subject to which I owe a significant part of my life's main inspiration in global trade. I realized there is so much complexity in the world as nations, businesses, and people significantly differ. Trading relationships would be successful only if these differences are considered, expecting economic benefits and social and environmental outcomes as the route for sustainable development.
Then I decided to pursue master’s degree in International Business at the University of Auckland, a leading university in New Zealand where is known for its strong international reach and outstanding open trade policies.
I feel incredibly honored to be awarded the scholarship from the Hinrich Foundation and join the league of the Hinrich Global Trade Leaders. This achievement also reflects my strong leadership potential. With my masters' experience from UoA and the support provided by the talented foundation network, I will be fully equipped to implement the best sustainable practice in the coffee industry and advance sustainable global trade between nations, businesses, and people.
As a global trade leader, I am committed to inclusive growth by leveraging on sustainable business practices which I can guarantee the future prosperity of my dream coffee business and strengthen my international experience.