[About her experience with the Scholarship Foundation]... very positive, giving her an opportunity to meet and work with Foundation Board members and their pool of top professional mentors
Graduate School: Culinary Institute of America
Program: Bachelor’s degree in Baking and Pastry Management, Graduated in 2006
Current Profession: Operations Manager for IMC Caribe starting in January 2011 and will be based in Panama
Paula Irizarry began studying biology at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez. She quickly discovered that she truly belonged in a baking and pastry “laboratory” and she subsequently enrolled at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) as a baking and pastry major. In 2003, Paula applied for a scholarship to complete her Bachelor’s degree. She graduated with an Associate’s degree in baking and pastry in 2004 and was chosen by her class as graduation speaker. In 2005, she was inducted into the Eta Sigma Delta honor society.
In 2005, Paula resumed her studies at the CIA and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in baking and pastry management in May 2006. Her first job in Puerto Rico was as a Baking Instructor at Universidad del Este. She then worked in The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel & Casino’s pastry department before joining Empresas Santana in November 2006. Paula performed many varied duties as Bakery Manager at Empresas Santana. When the business was sold, Paula continued work with the new owners, International Meal Company (IMC Caribe). She was named Regional Product Manager covering both the airports in San Juan and in the Dominican Republic. Paula had plans to study for a MBA at Universidad Interamericana in 2010 but she was promoted to Operations Manager for IMC Caribe starting in January 2011 and will be based in Panama. We are all looking forward to Paula’s return to the island.
Learn about our scholars in: Casino Management, Hotel Management and Culinary Arts
