We would like to highlight Eric Hamburger Barraza, Class of 1987, who has been appointed by CTOS Digital Bhd as its CEO. Eric, who currently lives in Malaysia, has more than 28 years of experience in corporate strategy and the international credit reporting sector and was previously CEO of Experian Colombia and Mexico. We had the chance to talk to Eric, who studied at our school since preschool, about how KCP shaped his life and career choices.
How has your KCP experience impacted your life and the choices you have made in your career?
KCP gave me the criteria, values, and passion to make good choices in life. As I look back connecting the dots, at every juncture and decision point in life, KCP learnings helped me guide the best option which has led me to have a fulfilling career. It wasn’t about any specific academic topic; those are important in the short term, but as I navigated through the options that emerged in life – what career to choose, how to decide what job to take, etc- the combination of the values I learned at school, the critical thinking we were encouraged to have, and the resourcefulness we developed, really helped me in this journey.
What advice would you give KCP students? And especially those who would like to take a career path similar to yours?
I would give them three pieces of advice: a) follow your heart. You will be told by everyone what you should do. Your parents, your friends, your mentors. But in the end, this is your journey, and only you can make it special, meaningful to you, and aligned to who you are. B) always, always do what is right. This is a long journey. It takes a big effort to build your reputation and an instant to lose it with a bad decision. You will find that over time, it feels good to make the correct decisions, even if they are harder. And you will encounter people along your journey over and over again. Make the right choices as you will be judged on your rectitude and your integrity. No excuses. C) never, never, never give up. It requires true conviction and passion to achieve what you want, and giving up will always be tempting, but the rewards will come to those who persevere.
What are some of your best memories or experiences from your time at KCP?
I studied Business and chose a career in leadership. As CEO, I need to be good at management (resources, financial acumen, etc), but more importantly, the ability to lead and inspire others to reach their goals. These are abilities I learned at KCP from a young age. I spent many years at the Student Council, working with my fellow students and faculty, developing abilities like effective communications, negotiation, and motivation.
What makes you proud to be a member of the KCP Family?
The KCP spirit is something I remember fondly. The students were very active, involved in school activities, and always made me feel part of something special. You could see how unique our school was in our sense of pride and belonging. It felt like family. And to this day my very best friends are my classmates from KCP.
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