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Game Changer

Game Changer

Predominantly raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Estela Hartley, 36, observed early on disparate communities coming together to develop a unique blend of Hispanic and American culture. As a student at The Illinois Institute of Art–Chicago, she combined her public health and design skills to revive VISioN, a student organization providing design students service learning opportunities with nonprofit organizations. Hartley took this development a step further by pursuing an MBA in design strategy at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco where she gained extensive practice using a multidisciplinary strategic framework to create new value for businesses and consumers.

“My career in public health extended into the creative realm when I took a sabbatical to study interior design at The Illinois Institute of Art–Chicago.”

Career goal
To become a leading executive of a health care or socially responsible organization where I can use my strategic and leadership skills to create innovative and meaningful experiences driving business development and growth.

Education
Master of Business Administration in Design Strategy
California College of the Arts–San Francisco, May 2012
Interior Design

The Illinois Institute of Art–Chicago, Concentration in Healthcare Design, 2006–2008
Bachelor of Community Health
New Mexico State University, May 2001

Work experience
June 2011–December 2011: Marketing Strategist
SevenPonds
2006–2009: Resident Head
The University of Chicago
2002–2004: Epidemiologist
Lake County Health Department
2001–2002: Health Educator
Lake County Health Department
Summer 2000: Health and Fitness Specialist Intern
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc.

Role models
My parents
Without question, my parents are my role models. They both possess a positive outlook, exceptional work ethic, and a spirit of generosity and ingenuity. Every challenge presented to them is seen as an opportunity for personal growth. It is due to their extraordinary optimism and support that I have been the first within my extended family to earn a bachelor’s degree and now a master’s degree as well.

Dream job
The professional philosophy of public health, to improve quality of life, resonates strongly with me and drives the work that I seek. My dream job would provide the opportunity for me to use and develop my unique strategic skill set and personal strengths to substantially improve the lives of clients, consumers, and employees.

Define success
For me, success is derived from learning and continuous improvement. My work and I are in a constant state of progress, and taking time to observe, reflect, evaluate, and develop is very important to me.

Hispanic Executive

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