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When Walfred Arenales arrived in Boston in 1989, his plans had already been in motion for decades. Even as a child growing up in Guatemala, Arenales dreamed big. He knew he wanted to achieve something bigger than the life around him.
For thirty years, Arenales has lived the dream he put in motion. The associate director of finance and operations at Harvard Business School is as passionate today as the young CPA who humbly accepted an entry-level job at HBS to get his foot in the door. By all accounts, Arenales is an institution at Harvard Business School, and his answer to every student who asks him why he’s remained on campus for so long is always the same.
“I know I could make more money outside of academia, but money doesn’t drive me in that way,” the AD says. “This university has invested in me and transformed my life. They took a chance on me back in 1994 and gave me the opportunity to pursue my education and step into different roles and challenges. I’m still living my dream, and this is where I belong.”
That dream has changed over time, as has how Arenales has chosen to live it. With the benefit of time and experience, the assistant director is now working to make Harvard Business School a place where Latinos and other minorities can feel just as at home as he does.
“I always tell Latinos that in everything that you do, maintain your essence. When I arrived in the US, the goal was to blend in and just fit in. Things have changed, and I love it.”
Walfred Arenales
After seeing the progress of the Black, Asian Coalition, and LGBTQ+ affinity groups at HBS, Arenales dreamed of uniting Latinos in the same way. At the time of speaking, Arenales was in the middle of helping celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) as one of the leadership members of HBS’s Latinx affinity group. His pride in what the group has become over the years is evident.
“The satisfaction you get from seeing people who look like you who feel safe and supported makes the work worth it,” Arenales says. “We provide career coaching and access to job opportunities within the university. We offer résumé help, provide networking and interview coaching, and so many other things outside of the social aspect of coming together. Granted, that’s also such an important part of this—just to see each other and be there for each other.”
Then there is Arenales himself, a Latino in a leadership position at maybe the most prestigious university in the US or even the world. Just by being where he is, the associate director’s visibility sends a clear message to other Latinx members of the university, faculty, and staff: A boy with big dreams in Guatemala made it to Harvard Business School, and so can you.
Arenales has lasted thirty years precisely because he’s great at his job. His title lies at the intersection of finance and operations. The AD works closely with project managers of construction projects on builds and remodels ranging from a few million to nearly $100 million. The AD and his team provide support to ensure budget tracking, contracts executed, vendors are paid, builds are on time, and the entire process goes smoothly.
“I want to help create a world where you’re hired for your skills, not your background, your connections, or where you come from.”
Walfred Arenales
His team also oversees Harvard Business School’s capital and operating budgets, including security, dining services, physical plant, custodial, construction, and the other facilities services the university provides.
But the AD isn’t all that interested in highlighting his own accomplishments. He wants to motivate more Latinos to go after their dreams—and to dream big.
“Every dream is a steppingstone to something bigger,” Arenales explains. “And I always tell Latinos that in everything that you do, maintain your essence. When I arrived in the US, the goal was to blend in and just fit in. Things have changed, and I love it. Chase your dreams and hold on to the parts of you that make you so special. Make clear goals for yourself and don’t relinquish what makes you, you in the process.”
As Arenales’s own career continues to evolve, he says he’s more intent than ever on responding to LinkedIn requests asking for a conversation or guidance. As hard as it may be to believe, the AD grew up an introvert, and he’s making up for lost time. He knows he can now help others achieve their dreams and passions, and it’s a role he clearly relishes.
“My goal is to continue opening doors for other people,” Arenales says. “I want to help create a world where you’re hired for your skills, not your background, your connections, or where you come from. I have the opportunity to work with people every day who are the absolute best at what they do, and it pushes me to be better. I want everyone to have that chance to achieve the best version of themselves.”
