GK Alumni Talks | Ten Years · Ten People: Natalia Tobón

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Guanghua-Kellogg EMBA program (referred to as GK program) in 2024, we reflect on the journey from GK01 to GK10, where our esteemed GKers have consistently made a significant impact with low ego, both in China and on the global stage. Taking this opportunity, we are going to interview 10 distinguished alumni representatives in a special GK Alumni Talk Series. The interview will delve into the enduring legacy of the GK program, management insight, industry foresight, challenges and successes, etc.

Ten years, Ten People. These ten GKers will form a vivid picture of the GK community, which is also an interpretation of their profound impact on the era.

In this feature, we are pleased to introduce Natalia Tobón, a GK10 student and Founder of Cárdenas Tobón Legal & PR Consulting Firm. With over 18 years of experience in China, she has dedicated her career to bridging Latin America and the Chinese market. Natalia’s firm help Latin American Companies expand internationally and supports foreign businesses entering this region. Through the GK program, she enhances her understanding of Chinese business dynamics, fostering valuable connections and insights. Her leadership and commitment to cultural understanding empower her to create impactful solutions in the global market.

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My name is Natalia Tobón, I am a member of GK10. I started my connection with China in 2005, and in total life I think I have lived around 10 to 12 years in China. I have lived in several roles in China.  I’ve been a journalist, I've been a student, I’ve been a professor, I’ve been an entrepreneur and been a diplomat, and now I am being a student in the Executive MBA program. 

I believe that life is a path, and every position that I have held in my life has served me to shape what I am today. Serving as the Director of Colombia’s official promotion agency, we had a great challenge which was positioning the columbia brand in China. The experience allowed me to understand the challenges that nations have in developing policies that help, specifically what I was working on was trade. Which policies were positive and which ones were negative? And how we could foster cooperation among countries to develop our trade. We also need to understand how we can help companies strive and thrive in the international markets from the government's position. 

Being a journalist was a huge experience for me in my life and my professional life, specifically in exploring China's complex dynamics in the environment. I think that for most of my professional life, I have been an entrepreneur. It is something that you have in your veins because it requires a lot of effort, a lot of compromise, and the ability to fight against the fear of failure. Fear is normal to have, and actually I think it's good to have it, but you have to learn how to control that fear in order to believe in yourself and follow your dreams. 

I believe that success is about creating impact on others. I once thought that maybe success was having more money, being more famous, or being powerful. But right now, I believe that what is important for me to succeed in life is seeing the impact I can make on others — whether in my country, in a company, or even in the world. So, it's about having an outreach and a strong impact on the development of others, bringing wealth and happiness to the ones around me. And why not think that my work could impact people far beyond those I currently know?

Women, we are empathetic, we're strong, we're organized and we're hardworking. And this is something that we never forget. Sometimes we miss our path, thinking that in order to be successful in the business environment, we need to be strong, we need to be harsh, and we need to be “manly”. It took me many years to understand that it's completely the opposite. 

I am extremely happy and honored to be part of the GK program.The GK program offers me the best option for the next step in my career. It involves understanding Chinese society in Chinese business at a top school like Peking University with top teachers like the ones that Guanghua has, along with a connection with one of the most recognized business schools in the world, Kellogg at Northwestern University.

It not only allowed me to better understand the Chinese economy and Chinese business environment, but it also allowed me possibility to exchange entrepreneurial visions and business visions with my classmates, understand their initiatives and different projects that they are pursuing and it also gives me inspiration of potential business and potential corporations that we can do together. So for me, this experience has been invaluable.

In our insightful conversation with Natalia Tobón, we discovered her deep passion for cultural understanding and building bridges in business. In today’s challenging business environment, she emphasizes the importance of establishing strong connections with enterprises from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her experiences remind us that in an increasingly globalized world, cultural adaptability and strategic vision are crucial for success. Through her studies in the GK program, Natalia has further enhanced her capabilities in business strategy and team collaboration, playing a vital role in promoting cooperation between China and Latin America.

Ten Years, Ten People. As we celebrate the successful conclusion of the 10th anniversary interview series of the Guanghua-Kellogg EMBA program, we extend our deepest gratitude to the ten alumni who participated. Their stories reflect the rich diversity and dynamic energy of the GK community. These ten alumni have not only achieved remarkable success in their respective fields, but they also reflect the philosophy we cultivate—"In China, the world, and the Era."

We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories and wisdom from GK alumni in the years ahead. Congratulations once again to the GK program on its 10th anniversary, and here’s to the next decade of shaping global-minded, socially responsible business leaders.

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