Patrice Tsafack

Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Compassionate learner, mentor, and friend. Always growing and helping others level up.”

Hometown: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Fun Fact About Yourself: In high school, I was so determined to play video games that I accidentally blew up my parents’ computer, not once, but multiple times! My relentless attempts to install games proved that no obstacle could keep me away from my passion for gaming.

Undergraduate School and Major: JD from Ecole Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique (Cameroon) and Polytech’Lille (France). Civil Engineering.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: EGIS, Head of Construction Engineering Department.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Stanford GSB’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I was raised in a culture where community is everything. When a child is born in my hometown, the entire community gathers, prepares food, and visits the new parents. They bring gifts, and among them, salt holds special significance—just as salt enhances the flavor of food, a newborn is seen as someone who enriches the entire community.

From the moment I was accepted to Stanford GSB, I felt that same strong sense of belonging. I received countless calls from people I had never met, warmly welcoming me and offering their support. No other school demonstrated such a genuine commitment to building a close-knit, supportive community, and given how deeply I value this, my decision was easy.

Beyond the community, I was drawn to Stanford’s emphasis on leadership development. The GSB doesn’t just teach leadership—it helps you understand why people would choose to follow you. Programs like Leadership Labs go beyond technical skills to focus on self-awareness and influence, shaping leaders who inspire others. This holistic approach to leadership development was another key factor in my decision to join Stanford GSB.

What has been the most important thing that you’ve learned at Stanford GSB so far? “Dedicated to the things that haven’t happened yet and the people who are about to dream them up.” This quote from our cornerstone perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Stanford GSB.

Being here has taught me that no problem is unsolvable, and no dream is too big. Walking the same halls as people who have achieved extraordinary things instills both motivation and confidence. Every major achievement starts somewhere, and with the right environment and support, anything is possible.

Coming from outside the U.S., I’ve also come to appreciate why so many people love California—the weather is exceptional!

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Stanford GSB? Before the GSB, I served as the Head of Infrastructure Engineering, and while I had management experience, I lacked the financial background to scale my impact. At Stanford, I’ve particularly enjoyed quantitative courses like accounting and finance, as well as organizational behavior classes.

One standout experience has been my accounting class with Professor Kasznik. Rather than keeping concepts theoretical, he would throw real company financial statements at us and challenge us to apply what we had just learned. It was overwhelming at first, but an incredible learning experience. Similarly, Professor Berk’s teaching style in corporate finance forces you to grasp the fundamentals beyond just memorizing formulas.

Outside the classroom, I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Stanford Impact Fund, where I focus on investing in for-profit companies in a space that’s important to me—urban development. And on a completely different note, I’m also happy to be improving my swimming skills—an essential ability in a world of rising sea levels!

What quality best describes your MBA classmates you’ve met so far? Give an example why this true. GSBers are both curious and empathetic. I remember attending a social event where a classmate asked me how to design a transport infrastructure. At first, I found the question a bit unexpected and wasn’t sure how detailed I should be. But as I explained, I was amazed by their ability to grasp and even anticipate the technical and human challenges of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.

This experience reinforced my confidence in my classmates’ ability to engage with diverse perspectives and tackle complex business challenges with both intellectual curiosity and emotional intelligence.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I began my career as a bridge designer, and among all the bridges I’ve built, none holds more significance to me than the Trans-Gambia Corridor Bridge Project.

I’ve always believed that one’s place of birth should not define their future—this belief is what led me to become a bridge engineer. My father’s journey has been a constant reminder of the transformative power of infrastructure. Born in a small village in West Cameroon where no one before him had attended high school, he was able to pursue an education and become a medical doctor—all because a road connected him to opportunity. His story is a testament to the lost potential that exists when infrastructure is absent.

Working on the Trans-Gambia Bridge was my way of continuing that story, ensuring that geography is not a barrier to progress. The bridge not only restored peace and fostered economic activity, but also created an environment where children—just like my father once was—could access opportunities beyond their parents’ circumstances. It encapsulates the kind of impact I want to keep having on the world.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Mastering the art of balance (managing academics, social life, and personal commitments) all while significantly cutting down on sleep. I’ve also got to build very strong relationships with people that share the same values and passions. Oh, and I no longer sink in a pool!

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Before the program officially began, I joined a school-led trip to Japan with 25 future classmates. My goal was to get to know my peers before diving into the MBA, but the experience turned out to be so much more. As a longtime anime fan, visiting Japan had always been a dream of mine. Beyond that, the trip gave me the chance to deeply connect with my classmates, learning about their unique stories, motivations, and aspirations. It was eye-opening to realize how much we had in common despite our diverse backgrounds. Finally, practicing meditation in some of Japan’s most iconic temples allowed me to pause and reconnect with myself before the MBA whirlwind began. This trip has been a true highlight of my Stanford experience so far.

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant looking to join the Stanford GSB Class of 2026? Applying to Stanford GSB requires time, commitment, and effort. At some point, you may question whether it’s worth it or doubt your chances of getting in. When that happens, remember one thing: don’t give up, and believe in yourself. Whatever weakness you think your application has, find ten other strengths to highlight. You bring something unique to the cohort: own that. It’s easy to focus on the reasons not to apply, but what you don’t realize is that there are even more reasons why you should.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE STANFORD GSB MBA CLASS OF 2026