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In this video Scholar Spotlight, Daniela Aguiara, a Laidlaw Scholar at London Business School, discusses how overcoming adversity fuels her drive to empower others.

I come from a working family from Argentina. My grandfather immigrated from Spain and worked in the food market, eventually opening a butchery during the 60s. He employed my father, who dropped out of secondary school. There is where he met my mother in the 70s. My mother is from a typical Argentinian family. After completing secondary school, she was employed in an office. But after marrying, she joined my father in the family business. They divorced 7 years later.

Fast forward to 1987, the economic situation in Argentina was inflationary and unstable. My mother and her new partner were working in plumbing and masonry to support our blended family, formed of seven children under the age of 11. But just as my mother turned 30 they split, and she decided to look for a more stable job. She had an excellent secondary school education, and shortly after, she got an administrative role in a small book publishing and distribution company. At that time, I was finishing primary school and I wanted to pursue accounting, inspired by my best friend. So, I asked my mother if she could explore the possibility of enrolling me in a Catholic private school, and it turned out that my mum could afford the fees. After that, my world opened to new realities and I could continue to University, being the first and only undergraduate of the family.

Fast forward to 2015, I started my role at Paramount as Director of Product Operations and launched the first streaming apps for the company, internationally. Having a global role encouraged me to explore new horizons: moving to a more stable country with better opportunities for me and my daughter. Experiencing my family’s perils shaped me to pursue progress indefinitely.

When applying to the EMBA at LBS, I decided to apply for the Laidlaw Scholarship because I couldn’t afford it otherwise. I read about Lord Laidlaw’s dream to help women progress via education, and it was an instant match to what I thought and needed. I saw first-hand the importance of education to seize opportunities in life.

What is the biggest life challenge you have overcome and what did you learn from it?

One of the biggest challenges I had in life was when I moved to Europe. It took 3 years of personal and professional planning. I had to leave my family and friends, my sister who had breast cancer grade IV (terminal), and separate my daughter from her father. I was open to opportunities, but I didn’t know where I was going to move. I visited many cities, attended events, met people and kept up-to-date with the business in all countries. I finally got an internal offer from the company I worked for, and then things started to ease a bit. What I learned from this situation, is that it is important to focus on what you are really looking for, what is your ultimate goal and define a WORD that would help you make the right decisions at every corner.

What is the most useful/impactful piece of advice you have been given in your life?

Along with my change of countries, my former manager suggested that I should focus on my daughter’s comfort and adaptation to the new reality, in order to be free of stress to pursue my career progress and new job. 

Conversely, what is the WORST piece of advice you have been given?

I tend to forget bad advice instantly… but I do remember something: that I should not walk outside during the pandemic.

What are your top leadership tips?

1. Lead by the example, help others achieve their goals

2. Be someone that others want to work with because you are inspiring, not because they have to.

3. Be aware and Adapt yourself to other’s personality

4. Be humble to assume your mistakes

What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?

To me, being a Laidlaw Scholar means opportunity. But also means being part of a bigger thing than myself: a diverse network. I like the metaphor of being a bulb in a string of fairy lights. I had the pleasure to meet several scholars and it is so inspiring to learn about everybody’s story and the potential of their ideas to change the world for the best. I feel very grateful to have joined this group of women.

Which leaders inspire you the most and why?

The perfect person never existed nor will exist, but Maradona has inspired me. He came from an extremely humble origin and he brought happiness to millions of people with almost no other source of joy than sport, around the world.

Describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

I’d like to see the gender pay gap closing at a faster pace. At this rate, it will take us 130 years to reach equality. I’d like to see women progressing in a sustainable way, supporting each other at all levels (downward, upward, to the peers). I’d like a word where the household activities are shared 50-50 with men.

Quick-fire Questions

📺 Currently binging: I don’t have much time for series lately, but I saw the biopic about Enzo Ferrari, and it was good entertainment.

📚 My top book recommendation:

Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman – utterly insightful. There should be a subject in secondary schools dedicated to biases.

🎶 My anthem:  “Heart of Glass”, and “Maria” both by Blondie.

🎵 Podcast obsession:

Masters of Scale, hosted by Reid Hoffman. I’ve learnt that there are so many ways to create a successful company and overcome problems.

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently: I won a tennis match!