Marissa Yepez (MBA ’26)

Name: Marissa Yepez

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Program: Full-Time MBA Program

Concentration or Specialization: Finance and Data Analytics

Following graduation, what’s on the horizon for you professionally?

I’m staying in New Orleans and working toward a role in energy and utilities. I don’t have something locked in just yet, but I’m deep in the interview process and excited about where things are headed! Ideally, I’m looking for something where I can use my analytics background but also be part of projects that impact the New Orleans community.

Who was your favorite business professor and why?

Ashley Nelson! She was my business communications professor our first semester, and I still use what she taught us almost daily. She gives very direct, honest feedback, but in a way that actually makes you better instead of just pointing out what’s wrong. She also genuinely cares about you as a person, not just how you perform in class, which made a big impact early in the program. 

What was your favorite business course? Why was it your favorite?

That’s a tough one! I’ll compromise and give you my top three. I loved advanced spreadsheet modeling because of how applicable it is to my post-grad career. My Renewables and Grid Integration class took us on so many trips to local energy companies and led me to pursue a career in energy. My final favorite was our one week intensive course on Global Sustainability in Madrid! Getting to network with Spanish companies and learn their business culture was inspiring. 

What’s the most important thing you learned at Freeman?

Probably that you’re not meant to do this alone. Everyone has different strengths and learning how to lean on each other makes a huge difference. Some of the hardest days in the program were also the ones where that support mattered most.

What’s your favorite New Orleans memory?

Riding in Tucks and getting to see all of my favorite people in one afternoon!