By Elena Bescos Gracia, MBA2026
When I was considering business school, I knew I wanted a place that would help me grow both professionally and personally. London Business School was a natural choice. It is one of the best business schools in the world, and given my intention to pivot into healthcare, it sits at the perfect intersection of the “gold triangle” of Oxford, Cambridge, and London, which is home to Europe’s biggest entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem, particularly in healthcare and innovation.
What solidified my conviction was speaking with current students and alumni, who confirmed that LBS is a place where people with diverse cultural backgrounds, industries, and aspirations come together. For someone like me, moving into a new sector, that diversity is invaluable.
I began my career as a lawyer, qualifying in New York before moving into consulting and later becoming Chief of Staff at an ed-tech start-up for over three years. I pursued an MBA at London Business School because I wanted to transition to the healthcare industry, and I wanted to do it in London. I also felt I needed to sharpen my hard skills, like finance and financial modelling, while learning from peers with very different perspectives. The MBA Programme felt like the perfect opportunity to build that toolkit while also creating a new professional community.
Some of my biggest highlights at LBS so far have been the people I have met. My classmates have become both close friends and professional allies. I also feel grateful for the opportunities to take on leadership roles. Last year, I was the Conference Lead for the Healthcare Club, and this year I am Co-President. These roles have given me the chance to work with a group of brilliant peers who share my passion for healthcare, to connect with outstanding speakers and leaders in the industry, and to continue raising LBS’s profile in this space. More broadly, having the LBS name behind me has opened doors to conferences, collaborations with other schools, and unique recruitment opportunities.
Outside of healthcare, I’ve enjoyed challenging myself through the Entrepreneurship Club, intensive finance electives, and even weekend-long modelling bootcamps. One of the aspects I most appreciate about LBS is the flexibility of the programme. After the first term, I was able to adjust my schedule to work part-time at health tech and med tech start-ups. This has allowed me to put my learnings into practice and accelerate my transition into the sector.
As a Forté Fellow, I’ve also been part of a community of inspiring women at LBS who meet regularly to share experiences and advice. Combined with the broader network of women alumni, this has been a source of genuine support.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about my second year, which includes leading the Healthcare Club, participating in a Global Business Experience, and preparing for what comes next after completing my MBA.
If I could give one message to other women considering LBS, it would be that regardless of your background or where you’re heading, you will find your place at LBS to both transform your career and to build a community that will guide and support you throughout the journey.