- Programme studied: MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Year of Graduation: 2024
- LinkedIn profile
Before pursuing her MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at LSE, Macarena was supporting social entrepreneurs in Latin America, helping them refine their impact strategies and navigate the challenges of scaling their ventures. Now, as an Acceleration Programme Manager at Social Tides, she supports the growth of startups who are leveraging AI and ML (machine learning) to have a positive impact across Europe and the UK.
Current job title and description of what this role entails:
As an Acceleration Programme Manager at Social Tides, I am responsible for designing and implementing entrepreneurship training and acceleration programmes aimed at scaling social impact ventures. This includes overseeing the allocation of grants of up to $250K and curating a six-month programme of online workshops and mentoring. As the programme began in March, we have been assessing applications and liaising with practitioners in business and impact to recruit trainers who can provide actionable tools and valuable connections to support our cohort.
Tell us about your career journey since graduating from LSE?
Securing a job as a migrant in London felt like a daunting challenge, given the competitive job market and the unfamiliarity employers might have with my previous work in Peru. Back home, I was a pioneer in the field of impact management, relying on self-learning and mentorship from professionals with international experience. However, in London I found myself navigating a field with many seasoned professionals, which made the process even more demanding.
I knew securing a job could take time, so I took on a part-time role before graduating, ensuring financial stability and peace of mind to focus on my career aspirations. This also gave me the opportunity to explore entrepreneurial ideas. As part of my dissertation, I developed a social business concept based in the Peruvian Amazon and took the bold step of pitching it at the Santander X Awards. Competing against entrepreneurs across the UK, I reached the semi-finals and fulfilled a longstanding aspirations of finding myself on the other side of the judging panel.
This experience definitely enriched my ability to accompany entrepreneurs on their journeys in a more empathic way. Once the competition wrapped up, I dedicated myself to the job search and, within a month, secured my current role as Acceleration Programme Manager at Social Tides. It’s a position that allows me to blend my passion for impact and entrepreneurship while supporting social enterprises across Europe and the UK.
How has the programme you studied helped your career since you graduated?
The MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at LSE equipped me with both the confidence and tools to advance my career. The panels, speakers, and events, particularly those hosted by LSE Generate, were pivotal in mapping out the impact space and encouraged me to network more proactively. What once felt intimidating became second nature through consistent practice. Today, I’m leveraging those connections, recruiting trainers for my current programme from professionals I met during my time at LSE.
The coursework also enhanced my technical expertise. For example, Entrepreneurial Finance deepened my understanding of unit economics and fundraising strategies, which I now apply when assessing applications and interviewing founders. The combination of technical skills and expanded networks has been instrumental in my ability to excel in my role and confidently evaluate social entrepreneurs.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
"Think in the long run." As a migrant, breaking into your ideal role can be especially challenging, even with a top-tier degree. The advice I received was to approach the job market strategically, to be open to opportunities that might seem like a step down on paper but offer an intermediate step toward your ultimate goal. It’s not about undervaluing your skills, but rather about aligning your career journey with the realities of a new and highly competitive market.
In my case, transitioning from high-level managerial responsibilities in Peru to my current role meant adjusting to a narrower scope of action. This shift has been a humbling and enriching experience, offering me the opportunity to experience higher working standards and proximity to a more mature entrepreneurial ecosystem. I’ve realised that being strategic and taking roles where I can both add value and develop new skills is essential to building a sustainable and impactful career. It’s not about where you start but where you’re heading, and I trust this mindset will be instrumental in shaping my future journey.
What’s the greatest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Adjusting to the short, cold winter days was unexpectedly challenging. The lack of sunlight affected my energy, mood, and even my relationship, as both my partner and I struggled with feeling low. It taught us the importance of being proactive in tackling seasonal challenges. This year, we’ve implemented some coping mechanisms, like establishing a solid workout routine before winter, using a light alarm to wake up more energised, and planning a getaway to a warmer place during the darkest months. These small but intentional changes have made a big difference, and we’re navigating the season much better this time around!
What are your hopes for the future?
I feel very ambitious about my future and am taking a strategic approach to my career development. The UK offers incredible opportunities in social entrepreneurship that are hard to find in Latin America, so I want to immerse myself in this ecosystem, gaining as much knowledge and experience as possible and eventually bring this expertise back to my region. I see tremendous potential in the intersection of business and impact, and I imagine the Latin American ecosystem evolving significantly over the next five to ten years. I hope to play a role in creating a stronger network of actors who can articulate the ecosystem and provide the resources and support impact-driven founders need to thrive.
Share with us your fondest memory of the Department of Management.
One of the things I appreciated most about the Department of Management was how they organised events that helped us connect as a cohort, and with the wider LSE community. A particularly fond memory is the SIE Lightning Talks. My friend Iñigo proposed the idea to the department: a series of short talks where SIE members could share their professional journeys and personal stories. The idea came from a recognition of how much we could learn from one another. With the department's support, Iñigo made it happen, and for a whole season, we gathered at The George to listen to our peers. It was a wonderful way to spark admiration, learning, and a deep sense of belonging among us.
If you would like to be our Alum of the Month or if you would like to nominate a Department of Management alumni, please email dom.alumni@lse.ac.uk.