Alum Spotlight: Rodrigo Donoso

Rodrigo DonosoMEM alum Rodrigo Donoso is originally from Santiago, Chile, where he earned a degree in Construction Engineering from Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.  He currently works as an Engineer Consultant in Disaster Risk Management at The World Bank where he is responsible for managing a portfolio of urban development and disaster risk management (DRM) projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Representing the World Bank (WB), Rodrigo contributes to a high-level dialogue on DRM with governments and strategic partners, providing technical advice and policy advisory to national and local authorities related to the implementation of World Bank-financed urban and disaster risk management portfolios. Outside of his work, Rodrigo is a fan of soccer and golf and he also devotes himself to photography. We asked him to reflect on his experiences in the MEM program and its role in his career: 

Decision to Pursue a MEM Degree:

I was seeking to leverage my technical expertise and management skills pursuing a very distinguished program. A close friend of mine, who had already completed the Northwestern MEM program, introduced me to Northwestern and told me about its flexibility, customizable curriculum, and his experience learning from amazing professors and industry leaders. 

The Best Part about MEM:

MEM is a world-class, flexible program, which allows you to expand your knowledge in different fields. Students graduate from the MEM program are highly skilled and ready to make long-lasting impacts on the world, while the MEM alums are ready to dive into projects and challenges with the preparation needed to solve problems with innovative solutions. The MEM degree is backed up with solid schooling and real world applications.

How Has MEM Experience Contributed to My Current Job:

As a disaster risk management specialist at the World Bank, I work on projects ranging from several hundred thousand to several million dollars from different market segments. These projects require coordination between different business units, national authorities and local technical teams to drive successful projects. This role allows me to use both engineering and business management skills to provide the necessary information to develop and close projects with key collaborators.

Word of Advice to Future Students:

I believe it’s important to take advantage of the wide variety of resources available to you as part of the Northwestern community. You should not only focus on classes, but engage with professors and network with other classmates and alums from the program. They can bring you practical knowledge and deep insights from diverse corporate backgrounds.

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