Gisela Montalvo tells us how UHE contributed in her life
I am fortunate that all my life the wonderful people who founded the University, its authorities, those who have passed through its classrooms as teachers or students, have been my mentors, friends and colleagues.
I started in 2005, I was returning from living in Cuenca for a year, and Alejandro, Maria Graciela and Moni Vivanco accompanied me throughout my process, as a family, helping me to achieve one of my first goals, to be able to work and study.
They were 5 wonderful years, of having first class professors, of learning in a historical, revolutionary political moment; but also of meeting those who today are my three best friends, Diego, Negro and Sebastián. With Diego we did the thesis together, what an incredible time of debate, research and celebrations for each chapter that Harry Dorn approved for us.
When I graduated in 2010, I got one of my first jobs thanks to a recommendation from María Graciela, who always accompanied my beginnings in public management.
Between 2012 and 2014 I was a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations.
In 2013, Roberto, my husband worked here at the U. We were still engaged and I had the opportunity to go to work at the Embassy of Ecuador in Washington, we decided to go together. Alejandro and Diego supported us and helped us a lot, from being our catechists, to moving heaven and earth to be able to get married in 2 weeks, which was the time I had to start in DC.
In 2015 we returned and Rober was still working at the U and I was working at the IDE School of Government. It was a great challenge, since I had to achieve the prestige of IDE Business School, in the Public Management part, but I had the best as my boss, Alejandro; I also had the best teachers Diego Jaramillo, Diego Montenegro and Daniel Lopez, thank you for your support always!
In 2016 we experienced one of the hardest times as a family. I was 12 weeks pregnant and lost my babies, yes there were 2 of them! I did not know what was going on, how to face it and there was not a moment when Paty, our dear Paty de Jaramillo was not there for me. Now I have a family of 6: 3 in heaven and here on earth Sergio, Julia and Sebastian.
In 2018, Nathalie Cely, invites me to accompany her to Boston to have a couple of meetings at Harvard Kennedy School. Alejandro and Diego did not hesitate for a minute. The result, we were the third country in the world that the Kennedy School gave her the endorsement to replicate its program The Women Public Policy Program, From Harvard Square to the Oval Office, a program that we call "Leadership and Public Management for Women", which thanks to the current leadership of Mafer Román with my dear Cris, is now in its 3rd edition.
In 2020, Pandemic. I was the first woman at Metropolitan Hospital to give birth with Covid, it was bad, they had to intubate me, but I had all the wonderful people at the University and the blessed environment of Opus Dei praying for me. Sebas and I are a miracle and we are here to tell the tale!
In 2021 I was invited to lead the Ecuadorian Chamber of Innovation and Technology, but even then we did not separate. We immediately signed an agreement and one of our flagship programs, CitechTalks, is broadcast from the studios of the U, thanks to the alliance with the faculty led by Juan David. In addition, many of the people who work with me are Hemisferios alumni, and what geniuses they are! I am lucky to have a wonderful team, where we all learn every day, because we are a real team. Thank you Pili, Dani, Andy, Santi, Cami and everyone for being part of the wonderful mission we have to promote digital transformation in Ecuador.
And well, I have told you all this, because the U for me is not only who made me a Political Scientist, or gave me my Master's degree in Public Policy with the Universidad del Desarrollo, or supported me to do my program at Harvard; if not who gave me friends, family and made me a better person.
They are part of my family, and one does not move away from family. In every step I take they are there, in every challenge I have had they have accompanied me, in every dream they have supported me. I have never lacked an advice, a hug, a sincere congratulations. It has been 20 years of my life, more than half of my life, in which I have been fortunate to count on all of you.
The most important thing that UHE leaves to all its graduates, beyond academic excellence, which opens up a world of opportunities, is the growth as people who respect others, who seek the common good and the development of our society.
Everything we do, all the decisions we make have an impact on other people's lives and for this we have a great responsibility, but it is beautiful when we understand it and realize that we are part of the change, that we can inspire, help to grow and develop.
