St. Mary’s MBA student finds leadership through service  

When Clara Guerrero (B.B.A. ’03) enters a classroom at St. Mary’s University, she doesn’t just see desks and whiteboards — she sees a full-circle moment. 

“Every time I’m on campus, it feels like home,” Guerrero said. “I’ve grown so much since my undergraduate years, but St. Mary’s has always been that foundation for me.” 
 
A first-generation college graduate, Guerrero’s journey to the Greehey School of Business wasn’t a straight line. During her undergraduate years, she balanced motherhood, working multiple jobs and commuting across San Antonio to make it to class. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in 2003 — an accomplishment that became a defining moment for her and her family. 
 
“Graduating that first time around was emotional,” she said. “It wasn’t just for me — it was for my son, my parents and my community. It showed that even when life doesn’t go as planned, faith and persistence can carry you through.” 

“Every time I’m on campus, it feels like home. I’ve grown so much since my undergraduate years, but St. Mary’s has always been that foundation for me.” 

— Clara Guerrero (B.B.A. ’03), MBA student

As part of the program, Guerrero had the opportunity to join classmates and faculty on an international field experience to South Korea. What began as an instinctive “yes” quickly became an act of faith: she reworked her course schedule and applied for multiple scholarships to make the journey possible.  

“I didn’t have the funds at first, but I knew in my heart the Lord would provide,” she said. “And He did — through three scholarships. It was a reminder that if something is placed on your heart, it’s meant to happen.” 

In South Korea, a trip she found both humbling and transformative, Guerrero and her classmates visited global companies like Samsung, LG and Google, learning about leadership and innovation from top executives. But it was the humility of those leaders that left the greatest impact. 

“What stood out to me was how every company leader emphasized unity, service and community,” she said. “They didn’t view competition as rivalry — they saw it as collaboration. That mindset completely changed how I think about leadership and business.” 

One of the most powerful moments of the trip came at the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, where Guerrero met South Korean soldiers and reflected on their sacrifice and resilience. 

“You could feel the weight of history there,” she said. “It reminded me how leadership, at its core, is about courage and compassion.” 

To the faculty who led the experience, Guerrero’s growth was equally evident. Professor of Information Systems Seongbae Lim, Ph.D., who led the Korea field experience, observed her leadership firsthand. 

“During our two-week MBA field study in Korea, Clara consistently demonstrated professionalism and grace that elevated the reputation of our Business School,” Lim said. “Her insightful and impactful questions to global leaders left a lasting impression on everyone present.” 

Faith has always been a steady guide on Guerrero’s journey. She keeps prayer cards in her planner and leans on the Marianist values of community and service that define St. Mary’s. 

This year, she volunteered at the University’s Continuing the Heritage Day of Service, giving back to her former elementary school, Loma Park Elementary, where she once sat in those same second-grade classrooms. 

“It’s powerful to stand in front of kids who remind me of myself,” she said. “I want them to see that someone from their neighborhood went to college — that they can, too.” 
 
In addition to her studies and business ventures, Guerrero serves on the United Way Emerging Leaders Advisory Council, encouraging other young professionals to use their voices to make a difference. 

“It’s about saying yes to opportunities that stretch you,” she said. “Even when you’re scared, that’s usually where the growth happens.” 
 
Looking ahead, Guerrero hopes to use her MBA to continue bridging business with purpose — empowering others, especially women and first-generation students, to lead with heart. 
 
“I came back to St. Mary’s to finish what I started,” she said. “But along the way, I realized it’s not just about finishing. It’s about transforming — becoming the person you were meant to be all along.”