The good Cornellians can do: Beto Marquez MBA ’24

After earning his MBA at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business in 2024, Beto Marquez spent a year working for Mexican fashion designer Natalia La Valle. Natalia had success working in Italy, and she wanted to build her brand back home in Mexico. Beto applied his business acumen to help.

He enjoyed this experience so much that he went on to mentor other Mexican entrepreneurs through the acceleration programs at Tec de Monterrey and Startup México. He currently teaches product management at Collective Academy. Beto also volunteers to mentor local entrepreneurs, helping them take their businesses digital—from launching their first online store to growing their digital brand.

“What motivates me is simple,” Beto says. “I know how much it matters to have someone believe in you. I want to be that person: someone who listens to their story first and believes in them before judging them by their resume.”

Beto says he studied for four years to earn the score he needed to be admitted to Cornell’s MBA program. His hard work paid off, and he now wants to help others pursue their dreams.

“Changing the status quo is hard, at least in my experience in Mexico,” he says. “It's even harder when you come from a working-class family with no strong connections. But I've seen what tends to change that: continuous education, technology, real effort, and, of course, mentors who offer kindness and genuine human connection. That is why I mentor.”

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.