Angel Chen

INSEAD

“I care about details as much as the big picture to impact the next generation.”

Hometown: Perth, Western Australia

Fun fact about yourself: I don’t have the best sense of direction (so prepare for scenic detours when you’re in my car)!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor of Laws and Commerce, The University of Western Australia

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder at DrawHistory, a strategy and research consultancy in the Asia-Pacific focused on social impact and one of Australia’s first and highest scoring Certified B Corporation agencies.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? I spent last summer busily preparing for the GMAT Focus and INSEAD application with my little toddler. I would say it was an immersive ‘internship’ on persistence and around the clock stakeholder management. And the outcome? I would say it was a success as we — my husband, little daughter and me — moved from Australia to Singapore within two months to begin my MBA this January.

Where will you be working after graduation? Our recruiting season has not begun yet, though I am looking to pivot into roles that encompass opportunities in the strategy and investment space. I am keen to leverage my exposure to the impact sector for the past 8 years and finance background in a more global and dynamic way.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Co-Chair of the Robin Hood Scholarship Campaign Committee, a student-led initiative by each cohort to fundraise a scholarship for the next cohort. I’m passionate about investing in those that come after us and creating more opportunities for those with the biggest potential.

During my INSEAD MBA year, I’m also continuing to serve as the Chair of Perth College Foundation, the $25m+ endowment fund of my alma mater, and am responsible for leading their strategic and investment direction for the long-term sustainability of the school.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I really enjoyed Master Strategists Day for Introduction to Strategy, where we conducted an external analysis into the sustainable farming industry in the South Pacific and then worked on providing strategic recommendations for an organisation based in Fiji (within a 24-hour timeframe)! I’m really proud of how our group of six, who all came from different backgrounds (consulting, start-ups, aerospace engineering to executive search) and from different countries (Thailand, Germany, India, Spain and U.S.), worked together and had a strong team spirit throughout the entire time.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? For me, one of my most significant professional achievements was being selected as a Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Listmaker, as it gave acknowledgment towards my unconventional career pathway.

During university, I was passionate about the philanthropic sector and was involved in many fundraisers, from disaster relief to microfinancing. However, I always viewed these efforts as something to do “on the side”. Reading Sheryl Sandberg’s philosophy on treating careers as a “jungle gym rather than a ladder” gave me the courage to start creating change now, rather than following the traditional path of building success in the corporate world first and then entering philanthropy.

After university, I took a leap of faith, pursued social entrepreneurship, and founded DrawHistory to help mission-driven organisations amplify their impact. This led to a gamut of opportunities to work across dozens of causes and collaborate with thousands of beneficiaries, CEOs, boards and multidisciplinary teams – far beyond what I had ever imagined for my 20s.

Being recognised by Forbes was a meaningful reminder to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the challenges and opportunities the world has to offer, as the rewards can surpass even your greatest expectations.

Why did you choose this business school? INSEAD’s reputation on building responsible leaders with a global mindset was really appealing to me. Having over 110 nationalities across their three campuses (Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Fontainebleau) and having a three-language requirement to graduate really showed the genuineness of INSEAD in their commitment towards this philosophy.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Lin Tian, who taught the Prices & Market course in the Singapore campus, stands out for me. She fostered an atmosphere of curiosity and had an incredible ability to (finally!) bring an economics course that bridges theory and practice together. I now have a renewed sense of appreciation for economics and am feeling more confident in adding these concepts to my business toolkit.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? This would definitely have to be Introduction to Strategy taught by Professor Lite Nartey. I really enjoyed diving into diverse industries from urban mobility to sustainable farming and understanding value through traditional and newer frameworks such as the Blue Ocean Strategy. It was helpful to not only analyse value creation and value capture through multiple lenses, but also understand whom it has been created for – this is especially interesting as the stakeholders we need to consider are not only changing but so too are their interests. Thus, having more than 65 nationalities in my class, I’m eager to see the opportunities we will unlock across sectors and industries together in the years to come.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? I really enjoyed the PLDP (Professional and Leadership Development Program) task during launch week. We were transported to Kusu Island for the entire day and let’s just say, it was an immersive group experience like no other and when the schedule says 7am-11pm, they sure meant it!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? It has only been two months since our program started and I’ve loved every day of it! The 1-year program is no doubt intense and one thing I would’ve done differently would be carving out a block of time each week for myself – either to recuperate or reflect – as the norm here, at INSEAD and in Singapore, is to adopt a fast-paced, go-go-go mindset.

What is the biggest myth about your school? One of the common things I heard about INSEAD was the intensity of the program. I can confirm: it’s not necessarily a myth! Think learning six courses and French classes every seven weeks (with seven exams!), industry and social events happening every other night, weekend trips, and carving out time for your family and personal life, there is always an opportunity cost to each decision. It’s an immersive look into the consultancy life – with a boost, as it’s much longer than your average project life.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Singapore has been an incredible place as there is always something to explore, eat, and build experiences with others. It’s a transient hub in the Asia region with so many opportunities for travel and career opportunities. You’re always getting visits from industry leaders around the world for events such as F1, so I see it as a city for connecting and exploring.

For me, it’s also five hours away from Perth, Australia (with no time difference). This made it very accessible for my family to support me as I study with my little toddler.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? INSEAD has welcomed the use of AI tools as part of our business toolkit. Thus, it allowed us to re-allocate more time to think more critically and less time on learning information that is readily available and accessible with AI. It is about teaching us about how we can evolve the decision-making process to make decisions in this ever-evolving world, using all available tools in our hands.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I feel really fortunate to have been paired with not only an incredibly diverse and talented study group, but also a group where everyone has a high level of openness to work as a team and build lasting relationships.

One teammate who has stood out has been Marcel Marowsky. He is always willing to make time and lend a helping hand to others (for example, when I needed to do some timely preparations for an LBO case study). Though Marcel is very comfortable in his structured and “former consultant ways” of working in teams and setting processes, he has actively made an effort to give each team member space to build onto his own way of thinking. His helpfulness and learning spirit are things I admire.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Building a world where women and men have the same access to opportunities to create and shape their future and the future of those around them.

For me, this means not just talking the talk but walking the walk. I want to become an executive leader of the one of the world’s largest organisations, setting its strategic priorities as a responsible leader in business, and as an impact investor. Secondly, I want to create generational impact by starting an education foundation that focuses on changing the lives of girls through education.

What made Angel such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Angel seamlessly integrates strategic thinking, entrepreneurial expertise, and a global perspective. She leverages her experience as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and co-founder of DrawHistory—a social impact consultancy—to enrich discussions with deep insights into responsible leadership, strategy, and innovation. Originally from Perth, Australia, Angel embodies global citizenship and inclusive leadership. Her ability to navigate complex challenges with care and creativity is evident not only in her academic contributions but also in her leadership roles. As Co-Chair of the Robin Hood Scholarship Campaign Committee, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to expanding opportunities for others, reinforcing her belief in the transformative power of education. She is an outstanding MBA student. Angel is analytical, driven, and deeply committed to impact. She elevates every discussion, challenges her peers to think more critically, and fosters an inclusive, dynamic learning environment. She is a natural leader, and she will undoubtedly continue to drive meaningful change in strategy, investment, and social impact.”

From Lite Nartey
Affliate Professor of Strategy
INSEAD
 

“Angel Chen exemplifies determination and grace, juggling the rigorous demands of our MBA program with the delightful challenge of raising a toddler. Her humble yet ambitious spirit drives her leadership in social impact initiatives, while she brings insightful perspectives to every discussion. Angel’s balanced approach, blending analytical rigor with genuine warmth, inspires her peers to strive for excellence. Her poise in managing both academic and personal challenges is truly admirable, making her an exceptional representative of our vibrant INSEAD community.”

From Lin Tian
Assistant Professor of Economics
INSEAD

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