Maria Douieb

INSEAD

“Moroccan, African, Arab Women, remarkably active, warmly authentic, modern yet firmly rooted in cherished values.”

Hometown: Casablanca, Morocco

Fun fact about yourself: I’m no stranger to film sets and have even appeared in several productions during my youth!

Undergraduate School and Degree: ISCAE (Institut Supérieur de Commerce et d’Industrie) – Casablanca, Morocco.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Jumia Group, the leading e-commerce Platform in Africa

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? I had the opportunity to interview with L’Oréal for potential internship, and got my application finalized for Amazon.

Where will you be working after graduation? In considering my extracurricular options, I am faced with two promising paths. The first is to engage in the Retail, Consumer, and Luxury Goods or the e-commerce sector, leveraging the professional experience I have garnered over my previous years of work. The alternative is to venture into the consulting sector. Consulting, by its very nature, offers a fertile ground for working within diverse environments and tackling a variety of challenges across industries. For me, the priority is to progress within an ethical environment that not only aligns with my values, but also fosters the development of my professional skills. Additionally, I am open to relocation, as I firmly believe that immersing myself in new cultures and business practices will offer invaluable learning experiences that will enrich both my professional journey and personal growth.

Ultimately, finding a company that resonates with my values and provides an environment conducive to skill enhancement is paramount to me.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Being awarded the 2024 Qinqin and Xin Zhang Diversity and Excellence Scholarships is a testament to my unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and achieving excellence within the business school community. In my capacity as the academic representative for my section, I play a pivotal role in bridging the communication gap between students and faculty, fervently advocating for enhancements in our educational framework and greater diversity in our academic discourse.

My enthusiastic involvement across various clubs underscores my dedication to leadership and proactive industry engagement. Within the Women in Business Club, I am passionately involved in initiatives aimed at empowering female students by offering mentorship and leadership development opportunities, with the goal of advancing gender equality in business leadership positions.

Participation in the Africa and MENA Club enables me to elevate the visibility of students from these diverse regions by organizing cultural events and discussions that spotlight the distinct business opportunities and challenges they present. Meanwhile, my engagement with the Retail, Consumer, and Luxury Goods Club offers a platform to delve into the dynamic retail and luxury sectors, where I contribute insights on sustainability and the impact of digital transformation.

Through the Consulting Club, I further refine my strategic thinking abilities and equip fellow students for successful careers in consulting by facilitating case studies, mock interviews, and networking opportunities.

In each of these roles, I am committed to nurturing an inclusive, well-informed, and tightly-knit community, with a focus on leadership development and collective support. My overarching aim is to drive a culture of excellence and diversity, effectively preparing us to confront and thrive amidst the global business challenges ahead.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? My active involvement in various clubs, particularly the Women in Business Club, Africa and MENA Club, Retail, Consumer, and Luxury Goods Club, and the Consulting Club, has enabled me to make significant contributions toward fostering an inclusive environment, promoting leadership development, and addressing industry-specific challenges through sustainable and innovative approaches. These experiences have not only honed my leadership and strategic thinking skills but have also underscored the importance of creating a supportive and empowered community.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Joining Jumia and delivering unparalleled performance amidst numerous challenges ranks as one of my proudest achievements. As the sole woman in a 10-person sales team, I was thrust into a male-dominated environment, necessitating that I demonstrate exceptional efficiency and resilience. My integration period spanned less than two weeks, coinciding with the onset of COVID-19 restrictions. This timing left me with limited insight into the company’s operations and scant acquaintance with essential contacts across marketing, legal, and finance teams.

The beauty and fashion categories at Jumia, initially hosting just two brands (DeFacto and L’Oréal), faced an intense period of potential growth during the confinement. It was an opportune moment to engage new brands previously reluctant to embrace e-commerce. My task was to onboard brands with significant market presence in traditional retail, requiring autonomy, diligence, and strong negotiation skills. The brands I successfully integrated – including LC Waikiki, Beiersdorf, Nike, and Adidas – have since become pivotal to Jumia, ranking among the top 10 for revenue generation. Furthermore, these partnerships have been lucrative, with brand visibility on Jumia opening additional revenue streams.

Today, the sales team boasts a majority of female members, and the fashion and beauty segment has expanded to include five account managers. My methods for brand onboarding, negotiation, and client management have been adopted as best practices within the team. My efforts led to a significant career milestone: I was appointed Brands Director within the commercial team at the age of 29, marking me as one of the youngest individuals to hold a directorial position in Jumia’s history.

Why did you choose this business school? Choosing INSEAD for my MBA journey is a decision driven by a deep appreciation for its unique global perspective, unparalleled diversity, and commitment to cultivating leaders who thrive in an interconnected world. INSEAD stands out as a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and visions for the future, a place where students from across the globe converge to share their experiences, learn from one another, and build lasting networks. This vibrant diversity is not just a statistic; it’s the backbone of an INSEAD education, ensuring that every discussion, project, and class activity is enriched with a multitude of perspectives.

The school’s focus on social impact aligns with my goals to effect change and create sustainable business value. Additionally, the vast and supportive global alumni network offers an invaluable platform for career and personal development.

The opportunity to study across INSEAD’s international campuses, including France and Singapore, perfectly matches my aspirations for a global career. This exposure to diverse business environments and the chance to engage with peers from various backgrounds will prepare me for the challenges and opportunities of a global business landscape.

In essence, INSEAD represents a holistic approach to business education, blending academic rigor with a deep commitment to diversity and global leadership, making it my preferred choice for an MBA.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor, Lin SHEN, stands out for her remarkable ability to demystify complex financial concepts by making them accessible and understandable in the Financial Markets & Valuation lecture. Coming from a background quite distant from the world of finance, I have long viewed this field as an insurmountable mountain to climb in my academic and professional development. However, thanks to Ms. SHEN’s teaching approach, which emphasizes clarity and simplicity, I am gradually discovering that finance is not only approachable but also fascinating. Her method of teaching, which combines solid theory and practical examples, allows me to grasp the fundamental concepts of finance and effectively integrate them into my knowledge base. By making the subject matter lively and relevant, she has helped me turn my initial apprehension into a genuine passion for finance.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Introduction to Strategy is my favorite course in the INSEAD MBA program, largely due to my keen interest in the strategic underpinnings of successful businesses. This course blends theoretical frameworks with practical insights, challenging me to apply strategic concepts to real-world business scenarios. Through engaging case studies and discussions, I’ve deepened my understanding of how companies navigate competitive environments and achieve sustainable growth.

The course has sharpened my analytical skills, enabling me to dissect complex business situations and craft innovative strategies. It emphasizes the importance of agility and forward-thinking in today’s fast-paced business landscape, aligning closely with my ambition to be a visionary leader who shapes the future of business.

In short, Introduction to Strategy has been a transformative experience, enriching my strategic thinking and setting a solid foundation for my career aspirations in global business leadership.

What made Maria Douieb such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Maria’s professional journey commenced in beauty brand management, before securing a pivotal role at an e-commerce giant, where she ascended to the position of Brand Director. Her international path includes an exchange program in Belgium and extensive travel, that enriched her profile even further. Beyond her professional endeavours, she actively engages in fitness pursuits, volunteer work, and exhibits a keen interest in arts. Her intellectual skills are praised, coupled with a strong drive, forward-thinking approach, and a resilient attitude that promises success. The Admissions Committee unanimously agreed that her contributions to the MBA experience would be insightful.”

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024