Agustina Bigatti

IMD Business School, Lausanne

“Uruguayan-born, globally-shaped people connector. Turning ideas into action with purpose, across cultures and borders.”

Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love participating in mud races; they’re messy, challenging, and the most fun you can have as a team! For me, it also very much reflects my approach to work: I believe in giving it my all, getting my hands dirty, and pushing through every obstacle, always side by side with my team.

Undergraduate School and Major:

University of London – Bsc in Economics

Universidad de Montevideo – Bsc in International Business

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Light-it, Head of Partnerships

What has been the best part of being in a small class with this group of classmates? Ever since I was young, moving from country-to-country, I’ve been drawn to understanding how people live, not just what they eat for breakfast or how they greet each other, but what moves them, what their daily joys and struggles are, and how they make sense of the world. Over time, I realized it wasn’t just curiosity. It was a way to open my mind, challenge my assumptions, and build genuine empathy. To work meaningfully across cultures and towards a better world, you first need to truly see others.

Being part of a small, diverse MBA class, with students from 38 nationalities, took that to a whole new level. In this intimate setting, we go far beyond surface-level connections. We don’t just share professional experiences; we share dreams, fears, family stories, and cultural habits. We’ve celebrated each other’s festivals, been welcomed into each other’s homes, and even planned reunions across continents. Last month, our Indonesian classmates hosted us in Bali. To see the island through their eyes was unforgettable.

What’s most powerful is that I now see the world through many different lenses. More than that, I know I have key pillars across the globe – people I can turn to for insight, collaboration, and support. Whether it’s understanding a market, solving a business challenge, or simply being reminded that I’m not alone, this community is now an essential part of how I navigate the world.

This environment has broadened my worldview and made me more grounded, aware, and capable of leading in a global, complex world. It’s shown me that the deepest form of learning comes from human connection.

Aside from classmates, what part of IMD’s MBA programming led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I’m a big believer in gut feelings. From the moment I got off my first call with someone at IMD, I just knew. It wasn’t something I could entirely explain at the time, but there was this sense of alignment, like I had found the right place.

Of course, instinct was only the beginning. After that call, I dove deep: I read every article I could find, listened to podcasts, and watched interviews with faculty and alumni. What stood out to me was a common thread: IMD’s commitment to using business as a force for good. Dean Omar Toulan’s vision of impact, the relevance of topics like AI and global adaptability, the hands-on learning through the startup projects, consulting assignments, and the Future Lab – all of it spoke directly to what I was looking for.

What truly set IMD apart for me was how they treated my journey from the very beginning. I wasn’t just another applicant. They listened. They gave me time. They understood my context. That level of attention made me feel heard. After being accepted, the Dean happened to be in Uruguay and took time, during his vacation, to meet me for coffee. That gesture spoke volumes. It confirmed that IMD wasn’t just a top business school, it was a place where people cared and where leadership is lived, not just taught. Closeness and community matter.

Add to that IMD’s deep commitment to leadership development through coaching, mentoring, and immersive labs, and it becomes clear this isn’t just about gaining skills. It’s about growth. In the end, the mix of purpose, innovation, authenticity, and that close-knit, human touch made IMD an undeniable “yes” for me.

IMD is known for academic rigor. What is one strategy you used that would help a future IMD MBA better adapt to the workload early on? IMD is intense, not just academically, but also professionally and socially. At any given moment, there are dozens of things pulling your attention: classes, group work, networking events, guest speakers, club activities, and weekend trips. It’s easy to feel like you’re always behind.

Very early on, I realized that the only way to make the most of this year was to prioritize. That meant asking myself: Why am I here? What do I want to take away from this experience? Not just for my career, but personally. Having even a vague answer allowed me to decide where to focus my time and energy.

But prioritizing isn’t just about saying yes to the right things. It’s also about knowing when to pause. The pace is non-stop, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the noise. For me, taking a break to go for a run or cook something simple helped me reset. These small moments of stillness gave me the energy to engage more fully and reminded me that showing up well sometimes means stepping back first.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At my previous company, I had the opportunity to build the partnerships department from the ground up. I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, how aligning interests and creating mutually beneficial agreements can unlock far more value than going it alone.

I mapped out a strategy, identified key players in the ecosystem, and began building relationships, one conversation at a time. It was never just about contracts or KPIs; it was about building genuine trust. I spent time understanding what mattered to each partner, listening more than selling, and making sure the value exchange was clear on both sides. Partnerships are about people, and trust is the real currency. Over two years, those efforts paid off: partnerships grew to account for 30% of the company’s total revenue and also unlocked new capabilities we wouldn’t have been able to build alone, whether it was technical expertise or complementary services.

What I loved most about the experience was realizing how much room there is for everyone to win; you just need to align the right incentives. When that happens, value is created on all sides. That mindset has stuck with me ever since: sustainable growth starts with shared goals, mutual respect, and strong, trust-based relationships.

Describe your biggest accomplishment at IMD so far: Honestly, one of my biggest accomplishments was simply getting here.

When I first considered applying, IMD felt like a distant dream. Coming from a risk-averse culture, the idea of leaving everything behind, taking on a loan, securing a scholarship, and asking for support from my family felt daunting – like too many hurdles stacked against a single hope. It required intense financial planning, difficult decisions, and real sacrifice. There were moments I questioned whether it was even possible.

But standing here now, six months into the journey, I can say with full confidence: it was worth every step.

IMD is more than a business school – it’s a community that makes you proud to be a part of it. Our class is not only incredibly smart and diverse but also filled with some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. These are friendships I know I’ll carry with me for life.

And then there’s Switzerland. Living in Lausanne feels like stepping into a postcard. The city is small enough to feel like home, but with access to everything: mountain hikes, skiing, lakeside swims, and all the outdoor adventures you could want. Getting here wasn’t easy, but that’s what makes it feel like such a personal victory. It’s a daily reminder that big dreams are worth chasing.

Where is your favorite hang-out in Lausanne? Why do you (and your classmates) gravitate there? Without a doubt, it’s the lake. We’re incredibly lucky, IMD is just across the street from Lac Léman, and you can often catch a glimpse of the water glistening in the distance. But it’s more than just a scenic view; the lake has become the heart of our community.

It’s where we reset, reconnect, and recharge, no matter the season. In winter, some of us do cold plunges after a lakeside sauna session or go for runs along the waterfront. Spring brings its own magic, with flowers blooming all along the shore and a fresh energy as we begin to spend more time outdoors.

And when summer arrives? The lake truly comes alive. Restaurants open their terraces, bars, and music events pop up all along the shoreline. From early morning swims and class barbecues to volleyball matches, paddleboarding, or just relaxing by the water, there’s always something happening. You can even bike around the lake and end up in France!

What makes it even better is that most of these experiences are accessible and free. Each season brings its own charm, and the lake has become our unofficial campus extension, a place where friendships deepen, new perspectives flow, and we’re reminded of the beauty of the simple things.

What has been your best memory at IMD thus far? It’s hard to choose just one. Six months in, and we’ve already built too many unforgettable moments. But if I had to pick, I’d go with our Easter weekend escape to the mountains. It started with a simple idea: we wanted to explore more of Switzerland and make the most of the long weekend. So I took the lead and organized a trip for a group of us to Gimmelwald, a tiny mountain village that feels straight out of a storybook.

Nineteen of us ended up going, all sleeping in the same room of a cozy mountain hostel high in the Alps. It was meant to be a spring hike, but nature had other plans. The day before we arrived, a snowstorm blanketed everything in white. We stepped off the gondola to find ourselves in a winter wonderland, surrounded by 20cm of unexpected snow. It felt surreal, like we had stepped into another world.

That weekend was about so much more than sightseeing. We hiked through snowy paths, had snowball fights, shared meals and sang songs, and even had a few brave souls go paragliding. But what made it truly special was the simplicity. No formal agenda, just deep conversations, spontaneous laughs, and a real sense of presence. It was one of those moments where time slows down and you realize how rare and meaningful it is to connect like that, with nature, with others, and with yourself.

DON’T MISS: MEET IMD BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2025

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.