How One Student is Redefining His Role in His Family’s Businesses

Having transitioned from a banking career to pursue graduate studies in human resources, Chris Lasa, MILR/MBA ’26 is exploring how family members can contribute meaningfully to their family enterprises. Lasa completed his undergraduate studies in the Philippines and spent five years in the global markets segment of the Bank of the Philippine Islands but felt drawn toward a more people-focused path.

“I realized I wanted a career focused on people, purpose, and community,” Lasa says. The pandemic further fueled his desire for change. After a period of self-reflection, Lasa decided on a new focus that led him to Cornell University.

Rooted in values, drawn to impact

A pivotal point in Lasa’s life occurred early in his childhood with his mother’s death. After his father remarried, Lasa became connected to the Alejandro family through his stepmother, Peggy. Growing up close to the Alejandro family, Lasa was shaped by Christian values of service and community. He was also exposed early on to the workings of a family business, sparking an interest in how businesses can make a positive impact.

Looking to build on these values and interests, Lasa set his sights on graduate studies in human resources to understand how organizations could create workplaces where people truly thrived. Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR School) caught his eye as a top school for HR. He was also drawn to the Smith Family Business Initiative at the SC Johnson College of Business.

Coming from family business

During his first year, he enrolled in the course Leaders in Family Enterprise in Practice and Theory, taught by Daniel Van Der Vliet, John and Dyan Smith Executive Director of Family Business. Through frameworks such as the three-circle diagram that separates family, ownership, and management roles, Lasa gained tools for understanding complex family business dynamics.

On his mother’s side, Lasa is a shareholder in SDM Real Property Corp., established in 2024 to consolidate the extended family’s real estate portfolio in Batangas Province, Philippines. On his stepmother’s side is Papemelroti, a beloved specialty shop that sells eco-friendly gifts, stationery, and home décor designed by family members.

Papemelroti, founded in 1967 by Lasa’s step-grandmother Socorro “Corit” Alejandro and her husband, Benny, has over 20 branches concentrated in the Manila, Philippines, metropolitan area. During an HR internship with the company, Lasa worked on organizational design projects and conducted assessments at underperforming stores.

“I’ve learned that I can contribute meaningfully to both family businesses in different ways,” says Lasa, who does not hold an ownership stake in Papemelroti. “It’s about finding where your insight adds value, even if you’re not running day-to-day operations.”

Developing insights into family business and reorienting for the future

During his first year at Cornell, Lasa decided to obtain an MBA from the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management as a dual-degree student. His involvement with the Smith Family Business Initiative deepened through events such as the Families in Business Conference, the Sam Seltzer ’48 Mentors Forum, and the popular Family Businesses of Italy trek.

The Italy trek exposed Lasa to different approaches to family business management across generations. “I learned about how different families handle transitions and disagreements,” says Lasa, treasurer of the Family Business Club. “Companies like Rummo Pasta and E. Marinella gave me new ways to think about how tradition and change can work together.”

Lasa encourages those with family businesses who are entering the Johnson School or considering a program at Cornell to participate in Smith Family Business Institute programs and networking opportunities. “The more you’re exposed to different approaches, the better equipped you’ll be to contribute to your own family’s business,” he advises.

Looking ahead

As he prepares for his final semester, Lasa plans to take the course Principles of Real Estate to explore his potential role at SDM Real Property Corp.

Lasa’s experience shows that family members can support their businesses meaningfully—through fresh perspectives, strategic insights, and ongoing engagement—even without ownership or operational roles. While building an independent career, Lasa remains connected to both businesses, creating a model for next-generation involvement rooted in contribution, care, and long-term vision.