2024 MBA To Watch: Zsofia Szurovszki, IE Business School

Zsofia Szurovszki

IE Business School

“Investment banker turned entrepreneur, resilient, creative, passionate about solving problems and helping others.”

Hometown: Budapest, Hungary

Fun fact about yourself: I took a 3-month trip last year throughout South-East Asia after I quit my job in London.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor’s in business administrations, Stetson University (Florida, USA) Graduated in 2016

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? I worked as a secured-financing trader at UBS in London.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? N/A

Where will you be working after graduation? I grew up playing golf and struggled to find outfits that were comfortable, flattering, and feminine so I decided to do something about it. I launched Flairway Golf last summer to cater for the young generation of golfers and to promote golf and help make it more accessible to everyone. My dream is to work full time on Flairway Golf after graduation.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:  Flairway Golf is an active member of the IE Startup Ecosystem, recently hired two interns to work with us and give them the opportunities to experience working in a start-up environment.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I spoke on a Fashion and Tech Panel at the IE Venture Lab Event. The event was during finals, and I found out two days before the event that I would be speaking. Public speaking in front of 50+ was out of my comfort zone and I was very pleased with the event went well.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am proud of taking the risk of leaving a stable job in the finance world and start my own company challenging myself to constantly be out of my comfort zone and learn new skills and things every day.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose IE because of their reputation of their entrepreneurship program. I want to become a better entrepreneur and a better leader. I believe IE is an amazing place to learn the skills and have the right exposure and opportunities to do so.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Teresa Recio Naranjo. She is amazing, so knowledgeable, such a great professor, so engaging so brilliant. She made our whole class fall in love with marketing.

What was your favourite course as an MBA? I loved our Managerial Economics class with Daniel Fernandez Kranz. His classes were so engaging; we were always debating super interesting topics and he really made us think critically about so many economic issues around the world.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? I am super excited to participate in the MBAT this year in Paris. We compete against other European MBA programs in various sports. I will be playing golf and football.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? I love Madrid. It is so sunny, people are nice, and the food is amazing. I have lived in four different countries in the last eight years and for me Madrid has the best quality of life so far.

What surprised you the most about business school? It surprised me how approachable most professors and staff and they go above and beyond to help in any ways they can. It is amazing to have such a big support system.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire my dear friend Noorah Albassam. She is one of the most positive, most balanced, and most warm people I have ever met. I am lucky to have worked with her in our first semester and now I can call her a friend.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I would love to attend the VIVATECH Conference in Paris and the South Summit in Madrid this year to get inspired by what other start-ups are doing around the world and network with brilliant individuals.

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

“Zsofia’s presence in the Class of 2024 was truly invaluable as she completely embodies IE spirit and values. Her courageous decision to pivot from what became a comfortable and stable career in finance to embark on an adventurous entrepreneurial journey illustrates the innovative and daring mindset that IE encourages. Not only does Zsofia actively engage in various IE initiatives, but she also represents our institution at prominent startup events, showcasing her commitment to contributing to the broader community. Moreover, Zsofia’s positivity, kindness, and eagerness to seek advice and feedback make her a beacon of support and inspiration for her peers, fostering a nurturing and collaborative environment within IE. I sincerely believe that Zsofia’s presence enriches the IE experience for everyone around her, making her an outstanding member of the Class of 2024.”

Meryl His
Senior Associate Director/Career Discover Advisor

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