Maria
Manager, New York Office
Education
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Wharton School
M.B.A. in Marketing and Health Care Management, 2005
Activities at Wharton: Leadership Fellow (TA for leadership class / mentor for first year learning teams), Co-director of the Whartones A Capella singing group, Wharton Wildman Hockey team (defense, Co-ed D league), Co-founder of the Health care Lunchtime Lecture Series, Cohort Community Service Representative, member of the Health Care, Marketing and Consulting clubs
Memories of Wharton: So much of the learning at Wharton was not just academic knowledge, but personal development and discovery. This came from meeting, working with and becoming friends so many amazing people. It also came from pushing myself 'outside my comfort zone,' a guiding principle of Wharton. I remember this most when I think about going through base camp and leadership training for two days at Quantico... from screaming drill sergeants to my team pulling ourselves along a rope dangling several stories above a stream, this summarized my experience: challenging, exciting, team-focued, unique and definitely rewarding!
LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
B.S. in Business Administration, 2000
Hometown
Philadelphia, PA
ZS Career Path
Consultant, 2005
Manager, 2007
On the work
"A pharmaceutical company was looking for a systematic approach to integrate brand planning, portfolio optimization, and financial analysis for country affiliates outside of the US. This solution was to be an online platform that would interact with their current system infrastructure to ease the burden of brand planning and worldwide submissions of plans, budgets, et cetera. Our team evaluated the elements of each process and integrated them into one flow of information, streamlining where possible and identifying gaps to achieving a completed brand plan. We designed and documented the navigation, screen contents, user access roles and regulations, and constructed a technical data dictionary of all unique elements the final platform would store. In the end, we delivered a comprehensive design, including business rules for how brand plans would be created, submitted, reviewed, approved, and released to headquarters. (ZS did not complete the development of full technical specifications or the platform development itself). This was an exciting and unique project for ZS, combining different marketing and financial components into an integrated technology platform design. The greatest part of this project, however, was knowing that this platform will change how so many countries go about the process of brand planning several times a year."
On ZS values
Treat People Right: "My background is in one of ZS' growing marketing areas. One of the things I really appreciate about ZS is the level of awareness and how I might be able to contribute to different lines of business. I have seen this in my staffing, in conversations with principals regarding other projects they are developing, and in internal projects on which I am working. I am thrilled to have these opportunities! At the same time, I have not been hindered in my growth objectives at all, and in fact feel continuous encouragement to learn and grow. For example, I had a strong interest in gaining some global experience, particularly in Asia, and I am very excited that I have been able to do so."
On life outside work
"I am newly married, and so when I am not at work, I am most often hanging out with my husband. We are constantly doing things we love: going to Broadway shows and opera, hockey or baseball games, taking dance lessons, cooking, exercising, traveling... just being together. In addition, I still play hockey, spend a lot of time with my family, and work with a charity organization in Philly."
On the New York office
"I was living in New York before business school, and I love being back. The views, the restaurants, the opportunities for different events and activities are all amazing. The best part about our office, however, is not just the location—we have a tremendous group of people with diverse interests and backgrounds. While we work hard, our office has a great culture, and we have a lot of fun too!"