UNM Anderson Executive Speaker Series features Atrisco Companies CEO
September 27, 2023 - Megan Borders
The UNM Anderson School of Management relaunched its Executive Speaker Series featuring Peter Sanchez, CEO of The Atrisco Companies, Sept. 21. Sanchez shared his story of success and the lessons he learned along the way.
Sanchez is a proud New Mexican with a long family history in Albuquerque. He grew up in the South Valley and graduated from Anderson in 1984 with his BBA in accounting. His first job was as a certified public accountant for a Dallas firm.
He shared that Anderson was pivotal in his success by showing him how to structure a childhood passion for numbers into a career and leverage credentials to become an effective business leader. He returned to school after his time as an accountant to earn his law degree. Today, as CEO of The Atrisco Companies, a group of nonprofit companies, he oversees community programs and investing in the people and communities of Albuquerque.
A key insight Sanchez shared was what makes a good leader. He emphasized that a good leader is an influencer and collaborator, a good communicator, capable of setting goals, supports others and leads by example. "Leading starts with you by setting personal standards of integrity, work ethic and dedication. People will follow you as a leader if you model what should be done," he said.
Anderson's Executive Speaker Series connects students with successful alumni who share their journeys to professional success and how Anderson helped prepare them. The series promotes and fosters professional development, networking, inspiration and continuing education with Anderson business students.
The speaker series' next installment takes place Nov. 9 at 11:30 in Anderson's Graduate School of Management on the UNM Main Campus. The speaker will be Lasha Boyden, the acting U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of California. To learn more, email Madison Herbertson.