5 Questions with a Bain associate partner on navigating career and passion
5 Questions with a Bain associate partner on navigating career and passion
Barbara Moral, an associate partner at Bain & Company, reflects on her journey of blending her consulting career with her personal passion for ballet. In this Q&A, she shares insights on how she integrated her love of the arts with her work at Bain to find balance and fulfillment.
1. When did you become interested in ballet?
Ballet classes have been my happy place for eight years now — three days a week with two yearly performances. It all started in São Paulo, Brazil, where I grew up and was drawn towards arts all thanks to my mom who nudged me towards ballet, despite her being a dentist and my dad running a small business.
2. How did you discover consulting?
University brought engineering studies, but it also opened doors to ballroom dancing and an unexpected journey into the world of consulting. Strategy consulting fascinated me because it would give me a chance to work with different industries and distinct problem statements. And, as an associate consultant, I have been involved with various projects revolving around consumer products and retail. After three years, I decided to take a pause to do my MBA at INSEAD.
3. How were you able to merge your career with your personal passion?
While at Bain, a classmate from my MBA program nudged me to reach out to a senior partner who was on the board of a local orchestra. This long shot landed me an externship in strategic fundraising for the local orchestra. I realized Bain isn't just a workplace; it is a catalyst that carefully blends your profession with your passion towards something.
4. How did this project shape your career at Bain?
At the end of my externship, the senior partner and I presented my findings to the chairman of the orchestra, who asked if Bain could continue deepening this work, by doing a pro bono project, and we did! Steering the orchestra through the financial crisis of COVID-19 marked the start of my managing career at Bain. I also lead teams on financial services, healthcare and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) projects, but my ballet shoes stay close, I am still perfecting my pirouettes.
5. How do you manage work-life balance at Bain?
Flexibility at Bain isn’t just about schedules; it’s about sculpting your best self and inspiring others. Recently, I took a 2-month break to become a certified Yogini in Bali. Bain values people and experiences, which creates an uplifting platform for everyone to shine. My advice? Sprinkle happiness across life’s dance floor. When one rhythm feels off, you've got a whole symphony of joys to lift your spirits!
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