The Boomerang Effect: Why Estefania Ochoa Returned to Dialectica

What happens when you leave a fast-paced global company to chase a passion project, only to find your way back 18 months later?

Meet Estefania Ochoa, a Senior Associate on our Origin team in Bogota. Estefania’s journey with Dialectica is unique. After starting in management consulting at a top consulting firm, she joined Dialectica Colombia's Client Service Team (CST). However, a budding passion for agriculture led her to take a bold leap: she paused her corporate career to pursue a Master’s in Agribusiness and manage her family’s tourist farm.

Eighteen months later, a casual catch-up with her former manager turned into an exciting new chapter. Today, Estefania is back at Dialectica, combining her consulting background and agribusiness expertise in a whole new way.

We sat down with her to talk about ownership, internal mobility, and why Dialectica Colombia is a Great Place to Work.

‍You paused your corporate career for a Master’s in Agribusiness. How did your "Dialectican" mindset help you take that leap?‍

Two values from my time at Dialectica played a big role: Growth Mindset and Ownership. Joining my family business meant stepping outside my comfort zone. When the opportunity came, I saw it as a chance to learn and take on new responsibilities rather than a risk to avoid. I had to take responsibility for my decisions and be accountable for the outcome. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I could have made.

What did you miss the most about Dialectica while you were away?

What I missed most was the culture. Dialectica has a unique environment where people genuinely enjoy what they do, support each other's growth, and are constantly encouraged to take on new challenges.

I also missed the intellectual aspect of the work—the structured, corporate approach to solving problems and the opportunity to work alongside international teams and world-class clients. That combination of professional growth and great people is difficult to find elsewhere

Your return started with a casual chat with your former manager. What does that say about the leadership culture here?

It reflects the genuine relationships people build at Dialectica. My former manager and I stayed in touch, and there was always a sincere interest in my professional development, not just my next role. To me, that speaks to a culture that values people beyond their time at the company.‍

You returned to join Origin, a role closer to your consulting background. How does it feel to have that internal mobility?

Joining Origin allowed me to move into a role that feels much closer to my consulting background and the strategic topics I explored during my Master’s. It is exciting to combine different experiences from my career: consulting, agribusiness, business operations, and private equity-focused research. It’s great to be in a company that encourages people to explore different paths based on their interests rather than following a single predefined track.

You previously worked at a top consulting firm. How does Dialectica combine consulting rigor with a fresh, youthful culture?

What I admire most about consulting firms is the rigor and the problem-solving mindset. Dialectica shares that commitment to excellence while offering a very different day-to-day experience. The pace is dynamic, projects tend to be shorter, and you gain exposure to multiple industries and business situations simultaneously.

What is the "secret ingredient" that makes Dialectica Colombia a Great Place to Work?

I would say the secret ingredient is growth. From day one, you’re given responsibility, exposure, and opportunities that would take much longer to access in more traditional organizations. At the same time, the culture is supportive, collaborative, and genuinely invested in helping people succeed while still driving high performance.

What is your #1 piece of advice for a new Dialectican?

Take advantage of the exposure. Few places give you the opportunity to learn about so many industries and business challenges so early in your career. Stay curious, pay attention to what genuinely interests you, and use that exposure to shape your own path.

Ready to shape your own path?

Whether you are launching your career or looking to bring your unique background into a high-growth environment, we provide the autonomy, energy, and internal mobility to help you succeed.

Explore our open roles today and start your own journey with us!