Montse Alvarado visited the Busch School of Business as part of the CEO Lecture Series, speaking to students about leadership, purpose, and faith in the workplace. Her talk focused less on a perfect career path and more on how to approach work with the right mindset.
Alvarado, who serves as the President and COO of EWTN News, Inc. and was a senior leader at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, shared how her career developed over time. She explained that she did not have everything planned out, but stayed open to opportunities and trusted where she was being led. Her message was clear: you do not need to have it all figured out right away, but you do need to be willing to step into new situations.
One of the main takeaways from her talk was how she views work. She described it as more than just a job, but as a chance to encounter people and make a real impact. The way you treat others matters just as much as what you accomplish. That idea came up often throughout her talk and tied into how she approaches leadership.
She also spoke about what good leadership actually looks like. For her, it starts with listening and being open to learning. She emphasized that strong leaders are not the ones who always have the answers, but the ones who are willing to grow and take on challenges. She encouraged students to put themselves in uncomfortable situations, especially when working with people from different backgrounds, because that is where real growth happens.
Another point she focused on was purpose. She talked about the importance of knowing your “why” and how that helps guide decisions. When you understand what you are working toward, it becomes easier to stay focused and make better choices, even when things are not going as planned.
She also reminded students that more is often expected from those who are capable. Instead of shying away from that, she encouraged them to trust it and take responsibility. That idea connected back to her overall message about using your work in a meaningful way.
Her talk ended with a simple message: take your work seriously, stay grounded in your values, and use your career to serve others. It was a good reminder that success is not just about results, but about how you go about your work every day.