Andrea Gutierrez Marty, Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2024, pivoted her career from product management and commercial planning to brand management, landing a role as Associate Marketing Manager at PepsiCo. Drawn to Michigan Ross’s action-based learning and collaborative culture, she honed her marketing and leadership skills there through hands-on coursework, real-world projects, and club leadership. A transformative internship at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division confirmed her path, leading her to work on iconic brands like Lay’s, where she continues to blend creativity with analytical rigor. Read on for her story in this Real Humans: Alumni.
Andrea Gutierrez Marty, Michigan Ross MBA ’24, Associate Marketing Manager at PepsiCo
Age: 32
Hometown: Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), B.S. in Management Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Provi Product Manager, ’21 – ‘22, Start-up/eCommerce; Constellation Brands Commercial Planning Manager ’20 – ‘21, Sr. Analyst, Sales Planning ’18 – ‘20, Analyst, Sales Information ’17 – ‘18, Food & Bev; Nielsen Company Analyst, Forecasting, ’15 – ‘17, Client Services
Post-MBA Work Experience: Associate Marketing Manager, PepsiCo (2024–present, CPG/snacks)
Why did you choose to attend business school?
While I originally applied to business school, I set out to pivot into big tech as a product manager, I quickly realized throughout the process that brand management was a much better fit. Business school gave me the opportunity to fully make that shift —gaining a world-class marketing education from amazing faculty while expanding my leadership toolkit to extend my career runway. It also gave me the space to step back, refine my career vision, and build the skills and network to bring it to life.
Why Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Ross’ action-based learning approach was a big draw. Coming from MIT, I was used to hands-on learning, and Ross took that even further, emphasizing real-world applications programs, including MAP, hands-on coursework, and the Sanger Leadership Center. Beyond academics, it was the people and culture that truly set Ross apart. I was looking for a diverse, collaborative, tight-knit community where I could grow and challenge myself, and Ross more than delivered!
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?
Ross’ action-based learning approach gave me hands-on experience tackling real marketing challenges, especially in Strategic Market Planning with Professor Yesim Orhun, where I managed a P&L in a competitive simulation, making weekly decisions based on market trends, data insights, and competitive responses—a true preview of brand management. In Strategic Brand Management, Professor Marcus Collins challenged me to rethink how culture influences consumer behavior, using real cases from brands like Nike and Beyoncé. Outside the classroom, leading the Michigan Marketing Club as Co-President was invaluable—I honed my marketing skills alongside peers through weekly sessions, built connections with alumni and companies through the Ross Connect Conference and Alumni Coffee Chats, and helped lead our team in redesigning of our annual case competition to better reflect real industry challenges, all of which strengthened my ability to think strategically and lead cross-functional teams.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
My internship during my MBA was at PepsiCo Frito-Lay on the Ruffles brand team, working on brand strategy—analyzing the brand’s role in a growing category and exploring ways to drive growth. The experience, along with the support and development opportunities at PepsiCo, reinforced my desire to work on big, culturally relevant brands that balance creativity with analytical thinking. It solidified my decision to return full-time, and now I’m an Associate Brand Manager on Lay’s.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
PepsiCo—and Frito-Lay specifically—felt like the right fit because of its mix of iconic brands, fast-paced environment, and collaborative culture, making it one of the best marketing training grounds out there. I wanted a place where I could push creative boundaries while still being deeply analytical, and PepsiCo’s marketing culture aligned with that. But what truly made the difference was PepsiCo’s focus on growth, development, and diversity. As someone with a highly analytical background, I wanted a role that would challenge me creatively. At PepsiCo, I was given the opportunity to step into a more creative role on Lay’s brand communication and equity, rather than just diving deeper into my existing skill set. The company’s commitment to building well-rounded marketers—rather than just specialists—stood out from other opportunities I explored. And of course, the people I met during recruiting sealed the deal. They were incredibly diverse, collaborative, driven, and fun—exactly the kind of team I wanted to kick off my marketing career with
Advice to current MBA students:
—One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Relationships matter. Focus on building genuine connections rather than transactional ones. The best insights come from candid, off-the-record conversations, not just formal events. And know that relationships take time—some coffee chats are purely about relationship-building, and that’s okay. You have something to learn from EVERYONE—your classmates, faculty, alumni, and the staff. Classmates might have worked at companies on your list, professors might have taught current employees (or even execs!), and your school’s staff have invaluable insight into resources, company culture, and alumni experiences. The MBA world is small, and the relationships you build now can last a lifetime—if you invest in them thoughtfully.
—One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
Even though I ended up where I wanted, I wish I had kept a more open mind throughout the process. Whether it’s industry, geography, or function, exploring additional paths in parallel would have been valuable.
—Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
I was surprised by how much emphasis there was on culture and personal development. Before my internship even started, I had a team of people checking in to make sure I felt prepared. And once the internship began, we were surrounded by support—events, mentors, buddies, and check-ins—ensuring we had everything we needed to succeed.
—What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
Prioritize personal wellness as much as professional growth. The MBA experience moves fast, and it’s easy to put things like sleep, hobbies, or exercise on the back burner. I wish I had been more intentional and disciplined about carving out time for myself over the two years—it makes a difference.
