Meet INSEAD’s MBA Class Of 2025

TAKE CLASSES ON MORE THAN ONE CAMPUS

Consistently ranked among the Top 5 MBA programs in the world, INSEAD features an array of differentiators to MBA students. That starts with the one-year format. Not only do MBA grads pay less in tuition, but they spend 11 fewer months in business school than a two-year program. As a result, they can recoup their return on investment sooner – all while being able to apply what they learned earlier. And there’s another hidden benefit to a shorter program too, adds Carmen Garcia Gallego.

“I chose a one-year program because it seemed more time- and cost-effective. Spending two years out of the workforce felt like too much, and friends who did two-year programs told me they weren’t too busy during their second year. I didn’t want that.”

Another INSEAD distinction is its multiple campus structure. The school consists of campuses in France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco. In some cases, you’ll find INSEAD MBAs living and taking classes on multiple campuses. For Daniel Yannik Awuah-Darko, that translates to a more well-rounded global education and wider network that will set him apart in the job market after graduation.

“INSEAD’s unique multi-campus structure, with locations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, provides firsthand experience in diverse business environments, which is crucial for understanding global markets and developing an international business perspective. This international exposure aligns perfectly with my goals, offering a practical and immersive learning experience that broadens my horizons and equips me with the skills to navigate and succeed in diverse markets.”

LEARNING TO LEAD

Jennifer Flanagan has enjoyed living in Fontainbleau, a historic château town surrounded by majestic forests. As a result, MBA students can experience traditional life away from the noise and bustle of the city. “Fontainebleau has a unique campus atmosphere, and the proximity to nature allows endless options to enjoy outdoor activities, whether it is running, bouldering, or serene hikes, enriching student life,” adds ’24 alum Sami Mavrothalassitis. “Additionally, the town’s location, just a 40-minute train ride from Paris, provides the perfect balance between tranquil study settings and the vibrant energy of my hometown, offering the best of both worlds.”

INSEAD has long been synonymous with leadership. Some of that stems from one of the school’s signature experiences: Personal Leadership Development Programme (PLDP). Lasting the entire program, PLDP features professional coaching, psychological analysis, group and reflection exercises, and simulations to help students gain the self-awareness – not to mention the communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills – to make them persuasive, and trustworthy. The career coaching aspect of PLDP has been particularly helpful, says Nattie Wattanapenpaiboon.

“[When I] had my first session with my career coach, [I] was pleasantly surprised to learn that students have unlimited access to seasoned career coaches—even up to six months after graduation,” she tells P&Q. “Having personally experienced the power of coaching prior to INSEAD, I’m eager to leverage this relationship and the coaches’ expertise throughout my MBA journey.”

One avenue for MBA students to apply their leadership and coaching lessons is through Master Strategists Day, where teams engage in fast-moving, real-world consulting projects.

“This intense, 24-hour competition embodies the essence of INSEAD’s ethos: the swift and effective application of theoretical knowledge to tackle real-world business and societal challenges,” explains Sami Mavrothalassitis. “Teams must come together to devise strategies for NGOs and companies in need, those that typically couldn’t afford high-level consulting services. This tradition not only honed our strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, but also highlighted INSEAD’s commitment to making a tangible impact in the community and the broader business landscape. It was a clear reflection of the school’s values of innovation, diversity, and social responsibility.”

MAJOR STARTUPS AND FAMOUS FACULTY

When it comes to social responsibility, INSEAD has made sustainability a cornerstone of the MBA program. Two years ago, the school began to integrate sustainability principles across all 14 core courses. For Urs Peyer, dean of degree programs at INSEAD, sustainability has become a business imperative for socially responsible organization looking to ground decision-making beyond short-term, bottom-line metrics.

“The renewed curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools so that they can make the right choices and have their own positive impact during their careers,” Peyer told P&Q in a 2023 interview. “When they make and create solution for a business, they will take into account the social and environmental impact. When they lead a business and appreciate the financial performance, they also keep in mind progress.”

Not surprisingly, entrepreneurship is another area where INSEAD thrives. In fact, Capchase, founded by I’20 alum Luis Basagoiti Marqués, has ranked as the highest-funded MBA startup of 2022-2024, attracting over $1.1 billion dollars in investment. Ranking 13th is INSEAD’s Una Brands, raking in $115 million dollars in investment from 2021-2023. At INSEAD, entrepreneurship starts early with the Startup Bootcamp in September, a 48-hour challenge where student develop a business plan that is presented to venture capitalists for funding.

“I have been nurturing the idea of founding my own startup one day,” explains Coralie Grand. “I am very excited by the Startup Bootcamp, as I feel it offers an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded peers who share an entrepreneurial spirit. It will be my first time receiving feedback on some ideas I have had and testing the viability of different concepts. Above all, it will also help me determine if entrepreneurship is the right path for me, and if so, provide connections that could be pivotal in my future endeavors.”

Along with global diversity and leadership development, INSEAD is often associated with the Blue Ocean Strategy, whose philosophy revolves around scaling ventures by targeting underserved and less competitive markets. The strategy was honed by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, two INSEAD professors who still teach sections of the course. Both professors are also ranked among the 10-best thinkers in the Thinkers50, a ranking of the most influential business leaders, consultants, and professors in the world. The Thinkers50 list also includes Erin Meyer, who teaches in areas like cross-cultural communication and negotiations. Her work is one reason why Jennifer Flanagan joined the Class of 2025.

“Meyer is the author of The Culture Map, a book with research-backed methods for effective cross-border communication,” Flanagan explains. “As a former intelligence analyst and journalist, my ability to communicate diverse cultural contexts has been critical to success and her book has been an invaluable resource. Additionally, as someone who enjoys writing, I am interested in learning how Meyer translated her extensive experience and research into a practical narrative and guide with mass market reach.”

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK STABILE

What’s happening now at INSEAD? Last fall, P&Q reached out to Mark Stabile, INSEAD Dean of Degree Programmes and Dean of the Europe Campus, to learn more about the school’s programming in leadership development and global business, along with details on career services. Here are his thoughts on the latest developments and differentiating features of the INSEAD MBA.

P&Q: What have been the two most important developments in your MBA program over the past year? What type of impact will they have on current and future MBAs?

Stabile: “One significant development is the expansion of AI and technology-focused courses in the INSEAD MBA. The curriculum now includes more courses on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and other emerging technologies – to equip our MBAs with future-ready skills to navigate and lead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Students can choose from over 75 electives to gain deep insights into specific subjects.  New electives that we’ve launched this year include: Foundations of AI for Managers, Generative AI Product&Business, Leveraging AI For Your Next Job, AI Entrepreneurship, Strategy in the Age of AI and Sustainability, and more. We have also introduced the INSEAD AI Global Leaders Series, a suite of webinars on AI hosted by Professor Theos Evgeniou. The webinars aim to provide global perspectives on key scientific, business, and policy developments in AI. Featuring founders and CEOs from some of the most innovative AI companies, leading AI academics, and policy experts, they offered students a unique opportunity to gain a more complete and global understanding of this topic.

Another development is that we have doubled our scholarship funds over the last three years. In the classes graduating in 2024, 40% of students received scholarship awards – averaging €22,000.  Currently, we have over 170 different scholarships in the portfolio.  Scholarships make an MBA programme more accessible for students from diverse economic backgrounds and help to draw top talent and minds. In turn, these highly talented students will elevate the overall quality of our academic environment, benefiting peers and enhancing classroom discussions.

P&Q: Every January, P&Q publishes a “10 Business Schools to Watch” feature that highlights how schools are raising the bar and enhancing the student experience through innovation or expansion in programming or resources. What is one innovation that sets your school apart from your peer programs and makes you a business school to watch? Why is it so groundbreaking?

Stabile: “One groundbreaking innovation that sets INSEAD apart is the Immersive Learning Initiative. This initiative leverages extended reality (XR) technologies to create transformative Immersive Learning Experiences for management and business education.

We have created a portal which currently houses over 20 virtual cases, making it the most comprehensive collection of VR learning experiences globally. These cases cover various business scenarios and provide an incredibly rich learning environment. More than 40 INSEAD faculty members already use VR technology to enhance student learning, and together have already impacted over 13,000 students to-date.

It’s a game-changer that enhances the student experience and uniquely contributes to our mission to develop responsible leaders who drive positive change in business and society.”

P&Q: What types of programs do you offer to sharpen your students’ soft skills? What areas do you emphasize and how do you instill these skills in your students?

Stabile: “Embedded in the INSEAD MBA is the Personal Leadership Development Programme (PLDP), which is a ‘programme-within-a-programme’ that follows and shapes the students’ personal as well as professional development. The programme has a deep focus on personal and interpersonal awareness, as well as communication effectiveness and leadership skills, recognising the significance of these qualities in the age of artificial intelligence. It starts at the very beginning of the first week the students arrive and goes right through the year.

The PLDP runs in parallel with career coaching provided by INSEAD’s Career Development Centre (CDC), which helps students articulate their career goals based on their unique value system. Ultimately, we aim to equip each student to develop into the best and most effective version of themselves, and set graduates up to flourish in long-lasting, fulfilling careers.”

P&Q: What types of programming – through classroom instruction, extracurriculars, and treks – does your school offer to expose students to country-specific and global business practices? What have students told you were the most educational and fun aspects of these activities?

Stabile: “At INSEAD, we take immense pride in our role as the “business school for the world.” Our three campuses—spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East—serve as vibrant crossroads with over 80 different nationalities converging in an MBA typical class. Add to that our exchange opportunities with Wharton, Kellogg and CEIBS, and it truly becomes a melting pot of ideas, cultures, and aspirations.

Beyond the classroom, INSEAD MBA students have the opportunity to embark on field trips and treks to global business hubs like New York, Silicon Valley, Shanghai, or Dubai, to name just a few. Field trips typically include company visits, networking events, and cultural immersion activities.

Students find these experiences highly educational, gaining firsthand exposure to cultural nuances that impact local business practices. Beyond theoretical knowledge, they appreciate the practical insights gained during these activities. Connecting with local industry leaders and alumni is always a highlight. Students tell us that these interactions are fantastic opportunities to access mentorship or job opportunities and build lifelong professional and personal connections.”

P&Q; Who are two new professors who’ve joined your faculty in the past year? What do they teach and how will they be difference-makers in your MBA program?

Stabile: “We have seven great new colleagues joining us across our areas and campuses. Let me mention two.

Ben Charoenwong, Phd Chicago Booth, Coming from NUS, will be joining our Finance Area. His research and teaching focuses on the Digital Economy and Financial Tech and Regulation. He will be offering new elective courses in the MBA on these important and emerging topics, strengthening our offerings in digital and tech.

Ilgan Dogan, Berkeley, will be joining our Technology and Operations Management Area. She is a new Assistant Professor with interests in environmental sustainability analytics, specializing in formulating sustainable business operations that effectively mitigate the climate crisis. She will be adding to our growing sustainability offerings across core and elective courses in the MBA.”

Next Page: Profiles of 12 members of the Class of 2025.

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