When Marianela Ubilla (Class of 1998, Ecuador) was six years old, she watched her father attentively as he cared for livestock and managed the production of corn, soybeans, and rice. This was her first experience with the land and agriculture. That early connection marked her forever, giving her a purpose in life and dreams centered around her desire and conviction to work in and live for the countryside, a space that fills her with a sense of freedom and renewal.
Marianela’s connection to agriculture intensified even further when her family gradually began growing bananas in the late 1980s. When she decided to study Agricultural Sciences at EARTH, she was confident that she would acquire new knowledge to contribute to her family’s banana production and, in turn, to experiment in other agricultural fields.
“My experience at EARTH was profoundly transformative. At first, I faced significant challenges due to the demanding practical work of the program, especially the courses and activities that required skills in handling agricultural tools, physical effort, and had an intense study schedule. However, over time, I adapted to this demanding pace, which allowed me not only to meet the program’s demands but also to strengthen my determination. In the end, I consider studying at EARTH one of the best decisions of my life, as it laid the technical and practical foundations that have allowed me to advance with confidence and security in my professional career,” she says.
After graduating, Marianela ventured into ginger and pineapple cultivation. A few years later, she took on the management of Agzulasa Cia. Ltda, a family-owned company dedicated to banana production in a country that is the world’s leading banana exporter. Agzulasa Cia. Ltda is now one of the top five exporters of bananas in the country.
With all the experience gained in her professional career, Marianela became the first woman to assume the presidency of the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE, in Spanish) for the 2020-2022 term. She took the leadership of this important Association, which is dedicated to ensuring the competitiveness and sustainability of her country’s banana industry, at a challenging time for the entire world: the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted all sectors and required resilience to stay afloat. She not only managed to lead the Association through this difficult time, but also modernized and consolidated it globally using innovation, creativity, and perseverance.
“EARTH accelerated my maturity, an evolution we all need in life. During my studies, I reinforced fundamental values that continue to guide my life, such as responsibility, commitment, transparency, perseverance, social consciousness, and justice. Professionally, this education developed my cognitive, intellectual, and competitive skills, which has allowed me to be recognized today as a leading and pioneering businesswoman in the Ecuadorian banana industry. This solid foundation has provided me with the tools to face the industry’s challenges with confidence and vision,” she adds.
Among the many recognitions she has received throughout her career, she was recently named one of the “Women CEOs Breaking the Glass Ceiling” at the prestigious Ekos Violeta Summit Quito 2024.
“To other women who want to train in fields like agronomy, I would say stop dreaming and start acting. Don’t be afraid to enter spaces dominated by men, because what is most needed today are multidisciplinary teams where we can contribute with our perspectives, analysis, and abilities to reach a consensus that unifies and strengthens sectors. Our grandmothers may not have even dared to dream of this for our mothers, it may have been a frustrated dream, but for us, this is a tangible reality. We can occupy more space in agricultural activities, and we must seize it to the fullest.”
We are grateful to have Marianela’s great example to inspire students and young people to change the world.