Melissa Catherine Altarejos

My professional background started in advertising. I went into the industry because I was fascinated by the psychology of marketing and branding (and I still am). I was also lured in by the glamour of this creative industry. Advertising turned out to be a great stepping stone in my career since I learned a lot about the marketing/advertising process, leading teams of brilliantly creative people, and the importance of effective communication.

But I knew that was not the end of my road. I knew there was more. So I took the plunge, quit my job, headed away from sunny Los Angeles, towards a city where people are forced to appreciate all four seasons—Boston. In this city is where I had the privilege to continue my development in business, in the form of an MBA, and reflect among both the creative and the analytical.

In these two years, I learned that creativity is in my blood. Branding revives my energy. Analytics explains my view of our chaotic world. Innovation encourages me to think differently. And communication is the best and most under-valued skill a person can have.

I live by rationality, big pictures and practice learning every day.

Now for the personal stuff: I am the youngest of two daughters of traditionally strict Chinese parents. Life gets too serious in these types of families so I make sure to keep things lively with sarcasm that my parents don't always understand (sometimes this backfires). Over the years, my parents eventually gave up and gave into my humor. I even hear my normally stoic dad throw out corny jokes every once in awhile (to which we all uniformly roll our eyes to). I have an older sister who is an amazing chef and a mother whose own humor trumps mine (mostly during text messaging sessions).

FUN FACT: "Al-tah-rreh-hos" For those who are wondering how a Chinese girl from LA got a Spanish last name, I'm here to satisfy that curiosity.

I am Chinese from the Philippines but was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. During World War II, my grandfather immigrated to the Philippines from China to start a business. At that time, the law was that you had to be Filipino to start a business. So to get around that law, my grandfather adopted his Filipino godfather’s last name Altarejos (no blood relation).

Yes, you’re right! Altarejos is Spanish. Due to the Spanish conquest of the Philippines, there's a lot of Spanish influence in Filipino culture and last names. Ta-dahhh!