On October 29, INMA and Google News Initiative (GNI) awarded 50 news media professionals around the world with its debut Elevate Scholarship. This series features these impressive media professionals who are shaping our industry.

Andres Perez-Botero began his career by providing financial advice, but he found his perfect fit when he landed at The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and began selling WSJ Professional products to businesses around the world. In that role, he is able to introduce financial professionals to a membership built around industry-specific data insights.  

But it’s not just his financial knowledge that has made him shine in this role; it’s his natural leadership ability.

“Andres has established his leadership presence via his communication style, learning agility, gratitude, and self-awareness,” said Barbara Amaro, business manager, WSJ Membership. “He has mastered proficiency in the WSJ offerings, enabling him to promote and successfully exceed his targets.”

His self-confidence and innate leadership style have opened doors beyond his position as WSJ Pro global membership executive. He impressed others when he moderated a panel during WSJ’s 2020 fiscal year kick-off meeting for the entire department and guests — an audience of about 220 people. He also hosted a Webinar on a new product, which further showcased his talent and enthusiasm. 

“I’m very interested in becoming a leader in the space I’m currently in — or in anything I am a part of,” he said. “I think it’s important to be able to speak up in large rooms and command the attention of others, as I can provide new perspectives.” 

As an Elevate Scholarship recipient, he hopes to learn new ways of presenting the growing line of WSJ Professional products to others, both within and outside of the industry, and wants to hone his skills as an emcee and moderator for WSJ events. At the same time, he will continue to shine the spotlight on diversity initiatives and foster relationships between departments.

As a member of MiGente, WSJ’s internal resource group, he has been tapped to host a few virtual panels in 2021 to highlight Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the news industry.  

“Andres applies his entrepreneurial background with a goal of elevating the presence of a Latino as a thorough leader with fresh perspectives,” Amaro said. She recalled him bringing together individuals from various departments on the basketball court, using it as an opportunity to create the mindset of “one team, one company, one voice.” It’s an example of how Perez-Botero’s out-of-the-box thinking unites people. 

“This inclusivity allowed a diverse group of people to come together,” she said. “While it was an out-of-office event, it transcends to relationships that grow stronger when you are collaborating in the day-to-day of the business.” 

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