Ivana Liberatore
University of Miami, Herbert Business School
“In the pursuit of interdisciplinary knowledge, proactive servant leadership, and outside-the-box thinking.”
Fun fact about yourself: Painting is my favorite creative outlet, and my artwork has been exhibited in galleries.
Hometown: Miami, Florida
High School: Avant Garde Academy of Broward
Major: BSBA in Finance, Business Analytics, Legal Studies
Minor: Political Science
Favorite Business Course: Law of Risk
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Student Body President
- Student Government: Assistant Director of Academic Affairs; University Registrar Liaison; First-Year Leadership Council
- Alpha Kappa Psi Pre-Professional Fraternity: Executive Vice President; Vice President of Faculty and Alumni Relations
- Cat-5 Student Managed Investment Fund, Equity Research Analyst
- Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, Orientation Fellow
- Honors and Awards: Foote Fellow Honors Program; Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society; TAMID Group at Miami Stock Pitch Competition Winner; Miami Herbert Business School Latina Project Scholar
Where have you interned during your college career? KPMG Valuation Intern
Where will you be working after graduation? I will be attending law school in the fall.
Who is your favorite business professor? My favorite professor at Miami Herbert is Mark Shapiro. His teaching style challenges us to think like lawyers, immersing us in the legal filed in a way that is practical and engaging. Beyond academics, he has been a meaningful mentor to me and instrumental in my career development and law school application process. His dedication to his students’ academic and professional growth, combined with his ability to bridge the intersection between business and the legal field, has made a lasting impact on my time at UM.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The value of interdisciplinary study has been one of the biggest lessons I have gained. Business is inherently a complex field that requires students and professionals to take a multi-faceted approach at learning and problem-solving. I have learned the importance of connecting seemingly unrelated academic disciplines to gain a better understanding of the issues at hand.
Integrating finance concepts into my legal studies courses, and applying business analytics skills to my finance classes, has enriched my learning experience and deepened my understanding of each subject. This cross-disciplinary approach has taught me to see challenges from different points of views, which will be essential in my professional career.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Be open to exploring different academic paths. College is the perfect time to discover what truly interests you, and that often requires trial-and-error. Business is a broad discipline with many potential directions, so give yourself the opportunity to experience different courses and career paths before narrowing your focus.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I would have gotten involved in career-focused programs early on, especially during my freshman year. While I was part of student organizations from the moment I set foot on campus, I wish I had sought out professional mentors and networking opportunities at the same time. Doing so would have allowed me to take advantage of career opportunities designed for underclassmen, prioritizing my professional development from the start.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? One way AI has been integrated in my business school is through the creation of courses that allow students to understand how this technology functions. Classes like FinTech and Machine Learning allowed me to gain a better of understanding of the technical processes behind widely used AI applications. The main insight I have gained from using AI is that it serves a powerful enhancement tool in education, especially in coding and analytics courses, but it should never replace learning or critical thinking.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? My term as Student Body President. This past year has allowed me to serve my school community in ways I could have never imagined. Student Government has been central to my personal growth, challenging me to make decisions that not only impact me, but my peers and future generations of UM students. Representing over 13,000 undergraduate students hasn’t been an easy task, but it has strengthened my leadership and character as I consider different perspectives in every initiative we pursue. This experience has reinforced my commitment to using my education in business and law to create meaningful change within the communities I am part of, something I will carry with me far beyond graduation.
Which classmate do you most admire? My friend and classmate, Isabella Esquivel. She is one of the most intelligent people I know, carving her own path and bridging the gap between finance and engineering. Not only is she a bright student and professional, but she’s also deeply supportive of everyone around her. Isabella looks to uplift others in everything she does and exemplifies excellence both inside and outside the classroom.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents and my brother are at the center of my success. They have been instrumental in sparking my interest in the business field and inspiring me to think outside the box throughout my education. They have pursued academia while building and growing their own businesses, all while remaining unwaveringly loving and supportive. Alongside my brother, they have believed in me and every endeavor I pursue, pushing me to strive for excellence and giving me the strength to face every opportunity and challenge with determination. The values of kindness and resilience they live out every day are the foundation of everything I do; any success I have achieved is a reflection of their sacrifices and the example all three of them continue to set.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
I aspire to graduate from law school in the next three years, pursuing a career in M&A law. Additionally, after gaining significant experience in this field, I hope to explore the opportunity of practicing law in an international setting, interacting with different cultures and expanding my worldview.
What made Ivana such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“Ivana has been such a wonderful part of the Class of 2026. Her academic prowess has only been matched by her leadership. As Student Government President, Ivana has advocated for the student body to provide stronger support for dual-enrolled students, pre-registration resources, and a new dining location. Ivana is compassionate yet extremely diligent with each task that she undertakes. Miami Herbert has been fortunate to have Ivana support philanthropy and community service for her business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. She is a role model to her peers who always leads with integrity and generosity. We are all fortunate to have her leadership and presence across the University and Miami Herbert. As an aspiring lawyer, I cannot wait to see Ivana continue her trajectory.”
Dr. Patricia A. Whitely
Senior Vice President
Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement
University of Miami
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