KLU Alumna Perla Vazquez "How the MBA program empowered me in Supply Chain Excellence"
KLU can take you far! Discover the career paths and life choices of our KLU Alumni in our new Alumni series. Here, our alumni tell us more about their way after their studies at KLU – and how their time here influenced their future paths. Get to know Perla Vazquez (MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management, Class of 2019) as she tells about her career evolution, where she emphasizes the cultural and professional transition from Mexico to Europe. Perla delves into how KLU’s curriculum and international community helped her build on her compliance expertise and adopt a European approach to supply chain management and sustainability—skills that proved essential for her work with Cartier and Pandora.
Name: Perla Vazquez
Degree: MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management, Class of 2019
Position, Company: Supply Chain Risk and Compliance Project Manager, Cartier
What led you to study your mba at klu?
Before moving to Germany in 2017, I was working in Mexico for 10 years in various roles related to import, export, and trade compliance, mainly for European and German companies. This gave me early exposure to international teams and cultures, particularly in the Americas and Europe. My husband’s job brought us to Hamburg, and I saw it as the perfect time to advance my career. I was certain I didn’t want to come to Germany without a plan, so I started exploring MBA programs. I had been thinking about doing an MBA for a while but wanted a more international environment than what was available in Mexico. KLU's MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management really stood out for me, and after visiting the campus and seeing the diverse, global focus, I knew it was the right choice.
How have KLU and your MBA studies helped your career?
The MBA at KLU was pivotal in helping me transition to a European work environment. It allowed me to broaden my knowledge beyond trade compliance and delve deeper into supply chain management. The program also exposed me to new ideas and practices, particularly around sustainability and leadership—topics that are much more prioritized in Europe than in the Americas. Interacting with my study peers from different countries, and learning about their perspectives on business, helped me adapt and grow in a new professional landscape. The MBA wasn’t just technical; it also gave me time to reflect on leadership and my role in society, which I found very meaningful. I would say that my experience on the MBA program was crucial for my role at Pandora as a Project Manager for Supply Chain Excellence. For me, the best things about the MBA study program are the world-class faculty, the bright, diverse and talented students, and the exposure to new practices and ideas, as well as powerful self-reflection. All of these elements have helped me to excel in my career.
What’s the best part about your job?
Currently, I’m working at Cartier, as a Supply Chain Risk and Compliance Project Manager, and what I love most about my job is the global scope. I’m involved in supply chain management across various functions, supporting compliance worldwide. I enjoy working with different cultures and navigating new challenges, especially since my role at Cartier involves a more global focus compared to my previous experience in Pandora, where I was primarily focused on EMEA. I also appreciate that I can draw on my past experiences—understanding both the operational and central perspectives—to make informed decisions that add value to the company. This dynamic, global approach keeps me motivated and engaged every day. I also enjoy the opportunity to solve complex problems which allows me to use my experience and knowledge, and the industry interests me and inspires me to learn constantly.