Left: Henrique Lacerda graduation photo. Right: Henrique as a speaker for National Coming out Day at Harvard Business School.
Henrique Lacerda (MBA ’23) graduated from Harvard Business School in May 2023 and is currently engaged in the field of Strategy and Operations. Passionate for the technology industry and social relations, Henrique was also the founder of the Brazil Pride Harvard Group, an organization that aims to provide support for the Brazilian LGBTQIA+ community at the university. In this interview with the DRCLAS Brazil Office, Henrique shares more about his academic, professional, and personal life.
Henrique, you recently graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master's degree in Business Administration. Can you share with us a little bit about what you have specialized in and what are your main fields of interest?
I have always had a strong passion for technology, which drove me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering at Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Consequently, during my second year at HBS, I made a deliberate choice to center my studies on the technology industry. To obtain a comprehensive perspective, I actively enrolled in a mix of experiential and theoretical courses. One that I enjoyed a lot was the International Field Course in Japan, where I immersed myself in the local business culture, and worked in an important project with a major Japanese company that works in the intersection of analog and digital technologies; this experience further enhanced my understanding of the global technology landscape.
My primary fields of interest revolve around the technology industry. I enjoy working in cross-functional roles that intersect in defining a company's overall strategy, translating vision into actionable plans in product development. I also have a passion for products and solutions that have a positive impact on human health. Therefore, in addition to technology-specific courses, I was also looking to compliment the very technical education I got in undergrad with coursework in humanities topics, for example in international trading policies, business ethics, and emotional intelligence, and now I feel like have had a more holistic academic experience.
Prior to Harvard Business School, you were working in Strategy and Operations, which is responsible for providing guidance and setting the path for development and innovation in worldwide organizations. Could you describe what your responsibilities are and the impact of your work? How do those development initiatives affect regions like Latin America?
In my role in Strategy and Operations, I was responsible for providing guidance and driving development and innovation. The specific nature of the role can vary depending on the company and industry. At Rappi, for example, my daily responsibilities involved making critical decisions that had a significant impact on the company. Some examples of the decisions I was a part of include analyzing various factors and conducting thorough evaluations to determine which cities or regions the company should target for its next wave of expansion, addressing operational issues to improve efficiency and the customer experience, and identifying operational challenges and formulating business cases to prioritize the development of new features or products.
When it comes to the impact in Latin America, strategic decision-making considers the unique characteristics of the region to make tailored decisions. This includes factors such as customer behavior, social dynamics, regulatory aspects, and the size of the opportunity. Latin American companies face competition from global players in the technology sector who can offer higher salaries to attract technical talent while maintaining attractive unit economics due to their ability to scale operations worldwide. This poses a challenge both in terms of attracting and retaining technical talent in the region and winning in the highly competitive regional market.
However, companies that make the right strategic decisions and effectively manage their operations can achieve success and even outperform international players. Local companies possess a deep understanding of the region's specific needs, allowing them to tailor their products and services accordingly. This localization advantage not only increases their chances of winning in the region but also enhances the productivity of local businesses and labor. By aligning with cost constraints and meeting local market demands, these companies contribute to the overall development of our region.
Harvard is renowned for having a pluralistic student network. Did the possibility of connecting with people from different countries and being able to gain insight from different perspectives influence your decision to study at the University? What brought you to Harvard?
During my undergraduate education, I attended an institution with a small student community consisting exclusively of Brazilians. For my MBA, the goal was to enhance my education and cultivate connections in a more expansive and diverse learning environment. Therefore, with a larger group at Harvard in comparison to other business schools, I was offered a broader range of student groups to socialize with beyond the classroom which, as a gay man, held significant value for me.
Additionally, the Harvard case method, which emphasizes the exchange of different viewpoints, public speaking, and taking stances complemented my previous educational and professional background, which had a strong focus on technical and analytical skills. I recognized that the case method would challenge me to think critically, consider diverse perspectives, and improve my communication and decision-making abilities.
I would like to emphasize a crucial factor that had a significant impact on my decision to choose Harvard Business School: their need-based financial aid system. HBS considers an applicant's social background and compensation history to assess their financial needs and provide appropriate financial assistance transparently. This approach plays a vital role in promoting a more diverse student body. Getting proper financial support from the educational institution can truly make a difference in the student life, as it balances anxiety over the investment in the education, especially in times of economic uncertainty on emerging market countries or low-income family backgrounds.
During your time at HBS, you also founded and led the Brazil Pride Harvard Group. Could you tell us more about the organization and the importance of highlighting the LGBTQIA+ and Latino communities in the academic environment?
Affinity groups play a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging for students from historically underrepresented groups within the university environment. They help break down barriers that these groups face in developing professional networks and provide opportunities to connect with alumni who can serve as mentors and role models. Offering a variety of affinity groups and being open to students' initiatives to broaden this offering is a thoughtful approach that academic institutions should consider.
The Latino community faces specific challenges in educational institutions abroad. From my experience, being Latino is often connected to numerous factors, such as the relationship with faith and family, language dynamics, immigration challenges, nuanced experiences of race and ethnicity, and overall diverse cultural norms.
The LGBTQIA+ population also encounters additional challenges that are often invisible to those who do not identify as queer. From my experience, I have observed that these challenges can include difficulty finding role models or historical data about queer individuals from previous generations, navigating more nuanced relationships with families, and facing additional challenges when looking for housing during university. These challenges can impact the overall academic experience, the perception queer individuals have of some university traditions, and further complicate their sense of belonging to the academic institution and the establishment of professional networks. Additionally, threats to queer rights outside of school can significantly affect the lived experiences and mental health of queer students. Having a community that understands these struggles is crucial for creating an inclusive environment and enhancing student life for these individuals.
As an individual who identifies as both Brazilian and queer, I have firsthand experience with the challenges faced by both these communities. During my time in school, Brazil was going through a particularly difficult period for queer individuals, which shaped my lived experience in the region in a unique way compared to my non-LGBTQIA+ peers. In response to these challenges, I took the initiative to establish the Brazil Pride Harvard group. The group was created with the intention of providing a safe and supportive space for individuals facing similar struggles, fostering empathy, and facilitating connections among members, enhancing a sense of belonging and representativity for the queer community within the broader Brazilian events and activities at Harvard and avoid incidents of insensitive attitudes towards this population outside of the classroom.
The group consisted of events for queer Brazilian people from Harvard to get to know one another, WhatsApp conversations on various topics, shared information about Harvard-sponsored events that were not widely known, and posts about events and social activities outside of Harvard. The idea is for future generations of students to take leadership roles within the group, allowing it to expand in scope and structure.
Lastly, what did your time at Harvard mean to you? What lessons learned there will you take with you, both professionally and personally?
First, from a family history perspective, obtaining my MBA from Harvard held immense significance for me. Both of my parents were born in impoverished communities and had to drop out of college to work and support their families at an early stage in life. This experience gave me an understanding that education is a privilege.
Second, as someone with a prior educational background in engineering and experience in analytical and data roles, the technical business expertise I learned at Harvard was truly meaningful. It provided me with toolkits to understand aspects of business that I had not previously been well-versed in.
From a soft skills perspective, Harvard Business School instilled in me the importance of taking a socially oriented approach to my business interactions. I learned to engage in difficult conversations early on, overcome my fear of negotiations and confidently present complex topics to larger audiences. This experience not only bolstered my communication and presentation skills but also empowered me to embrace these activities in languages I learned later in life, disregarding inherent concerns about my accent or nationality.
Finally, my time at Harvard taught me the value of embracing my authentic self. It also made me realize how individuals from seemingly unrelated backgrounds can share a lot of common lived experiences and these can help individuals to connect. My years here also fostered a deep appreciation for recognizing the support and assistance I received earlier in life and paying it forward. It also gave me examples of how it positively impacts the visibility and bargaining power of communities over time. Additionally, the friendships I formed during my time at Harvard were transformative, significant to my personal growth and going to last.
Interview conducted by Maria Lidiane Rodrigues, Communications Intern, DRCLAS Brazil Office.