As a FinTech executive, Claudia Raigoza ’14 continues to apply core leadership principles that she learned as a student at CMC, including transformational leadership, organizational psychology, and executive communication.
Her involvement with the Kravis Leadership Institute (KLI) blended both the practical and academic, sending her into the world with a powerful skill set. Today, her career centers around working with both high-growth startups (Stripe, Clover, Rapyd) and Fortune 500 technology companies (Fiserv, PayPal, Visa) in the ever-evolving financial services space. The Seattle resident continues to be active at KLI, serving as a Kravis Fellow and mentor for nearly a decade.
Raigoza, who is looking forward to her 10-year reunion in late May, embodies CMC’s Responsible Leadership ethos and gives back to CMC — whether it’s helping students, fellow alumni or the entire CMC institution.
How did your time at CMC prepare you for your career?
My time at CMC was invaluable in preparing me for a fast-paced career working with people all over the world. Through my coursework and involvement with the Kravis Leadership Institute (KLI), I learned how to apply core leadership concepts like transformational leadership, organizational psychology, and executive communication in practical settings. The breadth of opportunities to meet and network with executive leaders and alumni at the Athenaeum made the transition into the “corporate world” feel effortless.
As a woman in FinTech, I have built a thrilling career sitting somewhere between product management and commercial activities to bring best-in-class products and multi-million-dollar partnerships to market globally.
You will be celebrating your 10th reunion in the spring. What are you most looking forward to?
I look forward to catching up with classmates and seeing all of the creative ways that they are changing the world. I am continuously in awe of what CMCers are doing post-grad!
What were some of your favorite experiences while at CMC?
My six-word motto my senior year was, “Sponsored by the Kravis Leadership Institute,” for a reason — I loved every leadership class, retreat, and conference I was lucky enough to attend. I still apply so many of those learnings within my daily life. And, of course, any time spent among friends — late nights working on my thesis at Poppa Lab or the library were far less daunting with the support and laughter of classmates going through the same experience.
Do you have any mentors from your time at CMC?
Absolutely! Everyone at KLI, especially Dr. Sherylle Tan, Professor (Jay) Conger, and Professor (Ronald) Riggio, continue to be my sounding boards for major life changes and career milestones. They have truly become part of my extended family. I have also been fortunate enough to continue working with them on exciting publications like Women’s Leadership Journeys with Dr. Tan and The High Potential's Advantage with Professor Conger.
How would you describe the CMC community?
Brilliant, empathetic, and supportive.
CMC’s mission is to prepare students for productive lives and responsible leadership. How does that resonate with you?
I think CMC does a superb job of tying leadership theory to practicum. It is not every day that you get to major in Government and have lunch with former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a college sophomore.
Why is it important for you to be involved at CMC?
The #1 piece of advice I give to students is to talk to as many alumni and campus guests as possible—- go to that Tuesday evening talk at the Athenaeum, email an alum working at your dream job, ask as many questions as possible to learn from different peoples’ experiences, and take the time to understand how others have applied their liberal arts education to diverse careers. Those conversations are where I learned the most and why I have served as a Kravis Fellow and mentor for almost 10 years. It is my small way of paying it forward.
Do you remember your thesis? How did it impact you personally/professionally?
My thesis was on the varying leadership styles of female presidents in Latin America. It was an eye-opening intersection of all of my areas of study —Government, Spanish, and Leadership—and an elite example of “women in leadership” in action. I hope it still shows young women readers that they can aspire to their country’s highest office—or any leadership role they choose.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It is truly the incredible community of people that makes CMC so special. As I have settled into life in Seattle, I have attended several local alumni events, where everyone has been so welcoming and helpful—offering tips on everything from volunteer opportunities to the best neighborhood restaurants. For any student or alum reading this who would like to grab a coffee in Seattle, please do not hesitate to reach out!
We hope you will join us at Alumni Weekend from May 30-June 2. While we are focusing on classes ending with 4s and 9s, all classes are welcome. From faculty lectures to dining under the stars, Alumni Weekend is packed with programs that you won’t want to miss. Reconnect with your favorite professors and catch up with classmates; and for a full throwback college experience, you can stay on campus in a residence hall. Click here for more information.