The initiative, led by the School of Business, connected students with the Puerto Rican business leader and CPA.
By Marcela Jiménez Ruiz
Journalism Student
Puerto Rican entrepreneur and CPA Ángel Torres Irizarry shared experiences and lessons from his professional career with students at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón during a new edition of the Sagrado Business Speaker Series.
The event, organized by Sagrado’s School of Business and held at the Ferré Rangel School of Communication, brought students together with Torres Irizarry for a conversation on leadership, decision-making, professional development, and entrepreneurship. The discussion was moderated by Professor Rolando López Rivera, Academic Lead for Accounting and Finance.
Reflecting on his own college experience as an Accounting student at the University of Puerto Rico’s Mayagüez Campus, Torres Irizarry recalled balancing his studies with work at his father’s business. The experience helped him develop discipline and understand the importance of responsibility and hard work from an early age. He also emphasized the value of building meaningful relationships during college years.
“I wish that, when I was a student, I had had the opportunity to attend workshops led by experts in the field. It would have helped me find my path,” Torres Irizarry said.
His reflection underscored the importance of creating opportunities for students to interact with professionals and learn from their experiences as they prepare for their own careers.
Torres Irizarry also shared a lesson from his time at Bacardí Corporation, where he held leadership positions. At one point in his career, he was tasked with developing an internal audit function from the ground up, despite having no prior experience in the area. Rather than allowing the challenge to become a limitation, he sought additional training, immersed himself in the field, and earned a professional certification.
“What should guide you is continuous learning,” he said.
For Torres Irizarry, taking on opportunities that require learning along the way has been central to his professional growth. He encouraged students to make decisions without allowing the fear of making mistakes to hold them back, emphasizing that mistakes are an essential part of learning.
The conversation also explored the qualities Torres Irizarry valued when hiring employees, including passion, the ability to challenge conventional thinking, and potential for growth. He explained that his career was not defined by a predetermined goal of becoming a president or top executive. Instead, he focused on learning, taking on new challenges, and assuming greater responsibilities as opportunities arose.
These lessons reflect Sagrado’s educational model, which seeks to extend learning beyond the classroom while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. For Torres Irizarry, engaging with professionals from different fields, building relationships, and gaining exposure to new perspectives can broaden students’ understanding and better prepare them for the professional world.
As a member of Sagrado’s Board of Trustees, Torres Irizarry also reflected on the University’s evolution and identity. He highlighted Sagrado’s longstanding connection to Santurce and emphasized to students the importance of developing empathy and a sense of responsibility toward other communities.
He also identified critical thinking, innovation, creativity, and collaboration as essential skills for young people seeking to become agents of change.
At the end of the event, Torres Irizarry encouraged students to lead in ways that positively impact their families and communities. He also emphasized that Puerto Rico’s continued development depends on individuals who choose to contribute through their work and leadership across different sectors.
The event concluded with an open conversation among students, Torres Irizarry, and López Rivera. Students had the opportunity to ask questions, share their perspectives, and connect with professionals in attendance.
Through the Sagrado Business Speaker Series, the School of Business continues to create opportunities for students to complement their academic experience with firsthand perspectives from professionals and leaders in the business community.