iaranadeuriarte ms 007 1920x1920

Interview

Meet the real: Isabel Arana de Uriarte

September 29, 2017

Meet Isabel Arana de Uriarte. Isabel is a member of our Hispanics or Latinxs of AlixPartners (HOLA) employee resource group and is an associate in the Turnaround & Restructuring group in our Chicago office. In her Q&A, she discusses her dream travel destinations, places she's lived, and more.

Q: Have you always lived in your current city? If not, where have you lived and what brought you to your current location?

A: I am originally from Mexico City and moved to the United States to play tennis in high-school and college. Other than Mexico City, I have lived in Tampa, Richmond, and Chicago. I moved to Chicago three years ago for business school and, despite the winters, it is my favorite city I’ve ever lived in. I decided to stay once I joined AlixPartners.

Q: For those visiting your current city, what is one place you'd tell them to visit (must-see)?

A: This is tough to do in the winter, but one of my favorite things to do in Chicago is to bike along the Lakeshore path. On a relatively short ride, you get to see Lincoln Park, Millennium Park, amazing views of the lake and the skyline, and some of the main tourist attractions like the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, and others.

Q: Name a place you haven't been to before, but would like to visit.

A: I have never been to Peru, and I’m hoping to travel there this coming winter with my family. I’m a big fan of Peruvian food, and Lima has some of the best restaurants in the world. I also want to go to Cusco to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world.

Q: What do you do to relieve stress?

A: I really enjoy running. I started running long distances once I was done playing tennis in college and ran my first marathon when I moved to Chicago a few years ago. It’s a great way to get to know new places when I’m on the road. I like to run races with friends when I’m home, and it is an important part of my day when I travel for work.

Q: In a sentence, describe what you do for the firm.

A: I work with our clients to help them overcome their most important challenges during high-stakes situations.

Q: What gives you motivation/inspiration?

A: I’m constantly inspired by the people I work with at the firm, and I’m motivated by the opportunity to have a direct positive impact on our clients. At this stage in my career, I’m lucky to be able to work with and learn from some of the best people in the industry and to be in a role that allows me to contribute meaningfully to the success of our teams.

Q: If you didn’t need money, what would you be doing now?

A: I would be traveling through Asia. I’ve always enjoyed visiting new places and experiencing new cultures, and there are several places in Asia that are still on my bucket list.