Lindenwood Magazine - Spring 2018: Connecting to Alumni and Friends

LAIA PONS EXCELS IN SWIMMING, BUSINESS by BRIAN VORCE From the Lindenwood swim team to working for a successful business technology consultation firm, Laia Pons (’17) succeeds in her endeavors. But if the path has been like swimming upstream, it’s hard to tell based on her many achievements. At Lindenwood, Pons, a former Olympian, starred with the synchronized swimming team and also in the classroom. As a double-major in finance and international business, Pons is experienced at multitasking. At one point, Pons was taking seven classes, interning at Maryville Technologies, acting as the Accounting and Finance Club president, competing at the CFA Financial Analyst Competition, and practicing synchronized swimming. She did so while maintaining a 4.0 GPA that semester. “It is all about time management and prioritization,” Pons explained. “Being able to manage all that workload requires you to have a very clear picture of what your objectives are.” Pons’ impressive résumé helped her get the internship with Maryville Technologies, and she clearly made in impression, as she now works as a consultant for the company. Pons’ job is in technology business management, where she focuses on creating cost transparency for the corporate information technology clients of the company. “I personally find this to be a very interesting area to be involved in at this point in time, Pons said. “It allows me to use my financial background while also giving me an understanding of the technology era that we live in. “My Lindenwood education provided the financial background that supports my day-to-day activities at my current position, but, more importantly, it has helped me expand the networking capabilities that brought me to meeting the CEO at Maryville Technologies in the first place.” Before finding success in the business world, Pons helped the Lindenwood synchronized swimming team win a national championship in 2014 as a freshman. Pons, who hails from Spain and won a bronze medal with the Spanish synchronized swimming team at the 2012 Olympics, said her time at Lindenwood helped her see the sport from a different perspective. “There are many dynamic differences between competing for a top national team and a college team,” Pons said. “There are also cultural differences between the style of the two nations. One of the biggest takeaways for me has been learning to actually have fun in and out of the pool, rather than taking it so professionally.” Lori Eaton, who was Pons’ synchronized swimming head coach at Lindenwood, said Pons played an integral role in shaping the personality of the team. “She led from within, exhibiting the maturity and creativity necessary to lift her teammates to new heights,” Eaton said. “In that sense, she’s the ideal student-athlete–committed, respectful, positive, and supportive.” Pons said she draws from her experience in both Spanish and American cultures to help her personally and professionally. “Getting immersed into a new culture teaches you tons about the world that we live in,” Pons said. “It also gives you an extra dose of acceptance. You look at differences and go from saying ‘that is weird’ to saying ‘that is different,’ which, although it means the same thing, has a very different connotation.” Lindenwood University ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 6 Being able to manage all that workload requires you to have a very clear picture of what your objectives are.” Laia Pons “ Laia Pons