Fabiola Luque Morales, Founder of the Fintech Club, Wins Prestigious ‘Excellence in Finance Innovator Award’

In this Q&A, we explore the journey of a former Banco de Credito del Peru – Credicorp NYSE:BAP executive who pursued an MBA at HEC Paris. She shares her motivations, the unique aspects of HEC Paris, and how the experience has fueled her professional and personal growth, particularly in the finance and technology sectors.

Where were you working before the MBA?

I was working at Banco de Credito del Peru – (BCP), the leading Bank in Peru and part of Credicorp Capital, an important Financial Group in Latin America. My mission was to lead the investment and financial strategy of our wealthiest clients.

What led to your decision to do an MBA and to eventually come to HEC Paris for it?

My strong desire was to engage with other cultures, perspectives, ideas. Additionally, I wanted to learn more about management, business, technology, and entrepreneurship. I am passionate about technology and founded my first small company at 19. I have a bachelor’s degree in economics, so an MBA with an AI specialization was a good complement for my profile.

I had the opportunity to visit HEC Paris one year before enrolling and I loved the campus and natural environment. It aligned with my vision of the importance of spirituality and nature in our lives. I am a girl from the city so moving to the campus meant leaving my comfort zone and exploring another way of living, which was beneficial for my personal growth as well. Additionally, the program was not too short and not too long, making the length perfect.

"HEC took into consideration the human being behind the application and respected the time we invest in it."

What was the admissions process like?

It was the most friendly and efficient process I have ever experienced. I have been through two admissions processes in the US and one more in Europe, and I liked that HEC took into consideration the human being behind the application and respected the time we invest in it. More than having amazing credentials or a perfect GMAT score, in my opinion, a successful candidate is one that embodies a blend of experienced professionalism with genuine humanity. They should be open-minded and supportive, not only working towards their own growth but also fostering the growth of others.

What have you been most surprised about during your time at HEC?

The amazing people I have met. My cohort is so diverse in terms of nationalities, personalities, professions, backgrounds, and experiences. I enjoyed learning from them, from our discussions, and disagreements too. I felt comfortable sharing my views, dreams, and experiences but I also had the privilege to receive feedback and support. More importantly, I made friendships that I am sure will last for the rest of my life. It also gave me the opportunity to be an entrepreneur and launch an important initiative, so I was constantly learning and doing business. I loved that the program had a lot of social activities, clubs, initiatives, events. It’s your choice if you want to participate or not, but all of them are there for you, and this makes the experience more enriching. Most of us live on the campus the first two terms, so it is like a small international city, making it a memorable experience.

"My cohort is so diverse in terms of nationalities, personalities, professions, backgrounds, and experiences. I enjoyed learning from them, from our discussions, and disagreements too." 

You’re the founder of the MBA FinTech Club, and were part of the Blockchain, and Finance Club as well. Tell us about that experience and the importance of clubs in the HEC MBA in general.

Founding the MBA Fintech Club at HEC is something that makes me feel very grateful and inspired to continue creating valuable initiatives for the world. I always say I have a crazy mind. I am constantly creating, writing ideas, imagining, connecting with different people, and thinking about how we can take the best of each culture to challenge the status quo for a better world.

When I arrived at HEC, I discovered there wasn’t a Fintech Club yet, so I talked to some colleagues about the idea, and they supported me. We presented the plan to the MBA Council and HEC coordinators. And boom, our new baby was born. I formed a multicultural team and was very open to their ideas. As a new venture, you must begin from scratch and that’s the best thing because it’s the time you put into practice your knowledge and abilities to achieve your targets and goals. We worked on the strategy and then we began to do partnerships and promote discussions, talks and events. Now the Club is a community of 143 students, we have an important company partner, and with the support of new students, it will continue growing.

I consider Clubs at HEC MBA very important because they are an opportunity to continue your professional and personal exploration, learn, share ideas, create, be a speaker, network with other professionals, find potential partners, discover new talents in yourself, and find potential employers. As I always say, you decide how involved you want to be. It’s all about setting a tailor-made smart strategy to achieve your goals.

"The foundation of the Fintech Club represents one way of leaving my mark at HEC. This initiative will inspire and provide opportunities to other students to discover this fascinating industry and find job opportunities."

You recently won a prestigious award – tell us more about it! How did it come about?

I never anticipated that happening, but that's the beauty of life; things often happen when you least expect them. The organizers found me and contacted me for the nomination. It happened just like that. I submitted an application for them to validate the information they found out about me and then I waited for the results. I won the Excellence in Finance Innovator Award in recognition of my contribution to the Finance Industry during these first ten years of my professional journey, including founding the Fintech Club at HEC Paris. This award also gave me the opportunity to be a speaker during the conference they organized. I participated in the panel “The Future of Financial Services with AI.” It marked my first time as an international speaker in an Arab country, an unforgettable experience.

This award is further supported by my extensive involvement in impactful initiatives from a young age. I founded my first company at 19 and I was involved in various projects in Peru to promote financial education and inclusion. Joining an American EdTech company in 2016, I led an innovative tech project in Peru. During COVID, I founded a social media platform called Economia Sin Filtro to share economic and financial knowledge. Through this platform, I blend academic knowledge with emotional and social awareness, striving to address the human aspects of finance beyond mere numbers and theories. One day this platform will be transformed into a revolutionary Fintech for the youth and financially underserved.

Finally, I came to the MBA with the idea of creating a revolutionary financial game that includes emotional awareness, mental health, and ESG principles. Hopefully, it will be launched this year.

"Going outside of my comfort zone and living far away from the people I love, as well as my familiar surroundings, gave me plenty of personal growth and self-reflection."

Aside from your big win in Dubai, what has been your biggest accomplishment in the MBA?

Going outside of my comfort zone and living far away from the people I love, as well as my familiar surroundings, gave me plenty of personal growth and self-reflection. I rediscovered myself and more importantly, I learnt from others. I strengthened my self-motivation and now I feel more inspired than ever with the new knowledge I have gained. I also feel I could inspire the people I met, and the combination of these things is my biggest accomplishment.

Additionally, the foundation of the Fintech Club represents one way of leaving my mark at HEC. This initiative will inspire and provide opportunities to other students to discover this fascinating industry and find job opportunities. Furthermore, it will help enhance HEC’s positioning in the industry.

Finally, I had the amazing opportunity to work during the last 6 months of my studies in the Business Innovation department of Worldline, the #1 European player in the payments and transactional services industry and #4 player worldwide. It was my first job experience in the French market, so it was also a big accomplishment.

"Foster more collaboration and less competition."

Do you have advice for future or beginning HEC Paris MBA students, for making the most of their time here?

Make the most of your time at HEC in the way you feel is best for you. Each person is different so what I can recommend is take your time to create your own journey and enjoy it.

Here are 5 tips I have for future MBA students:

1. Explore all the tools HEC gives you, and then set your own smart strategy and follow your own path. It is impossible to use all the tools, so don’t feel desperate trying to do so. FOMO may arise, but its impact depends entirely on your attitude towards it.
    
2. Stop comparing yourself with other classmates. The only comparison you should make is with yourself. Each student is different in terms of background, personality, skills, and objectives. You are unique, so don’t waste time and energy with meaningless comparisons.  
    
3. Foster more collaboration and less competition. Control your ego. Look around, support, make meaningful connections, and contribute with your mind and heart. Embracing genuine collaboration will fill you with positive energy and propel you towards your own goals.
    
4. Show gratitude to classmates who assist you. Send positive vibes to those succeeding, even if you're still seeking internships or full-time offers. Practice genuine happiness for others, be patient, and your time will come sooner.
    
5. Savor the journey ahead, as these 16 months provide a unique opportunity to break from routine, delve deep into introspection, and uncover your true desires in both personal and professional realms. Embrace this time with an open mind, and you'll find it to be a profoundly rewarding experience et VOILA! Buen camino!

For those who struggle to start with Tip 1 because they're unsure of their goals, it's okay. Take your time. Not knowing what you want means you're open to new information, and this is very powerful. Be patient. Set a timeline and embrace your journey of discovery. Answers will emerge through self-reflection and discussions with peers, teachers, and coaches. If you need any advice or coaching, I’d be happy to connect on LinkedIn.

For more information about clubs at HEC Paris, visit the clubs page on our website. If you’d like to learn more about the program and how to make it work for your own career goals, fill out this form and one of our marketing and recruitment managers will reach out.