Ronald Omores

IMD Business School, Lausanne

“Left Benin with courage, built expertise in France, now shaping the future with Swiss precision.”

Hometown: Cotonou, Benin

Fun Fact About Yourself: Architecture inspires me, sports cars thrill me, but nothing soothes me like a swim… or a trip to IKEA.

Undergraduate School and Major:

MSc in Statistics and Econometrics – University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne

MSc in Applied Mathematics – University of Science & Technology of Lille

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: CNP Assurance, Data & Analytics Lead

What has been the best part of being in a small class with this group of classmates? One of the greatest advantages of being part of a small MBA cohort of around 40 nationalities, is the depth of connections it enables. The program is intentionally structured with group rotations to maximize professional and cultural diversity. This means you collaborate closely with nearly everyone in the class throughout the year. These frequent and intimate group interactions are designed to challenge your assumptions and broaden your perspective. You don’t just learn about different leadership styles; you experience them in action. This level of exposure would be nearly impossible in a larger program, and it has been one of the most enriching aspects of my IMD journey so far.

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? What truly set IMD apart for me was its Leadership Development Stream. Unlike other top MBA programs, IMD places a strong focus on self-awareness and personal growth as a foundation for effective leadership. From the beginning, we are placed in situations that push us to reflect deeply on our values, behaviors, and how we show up in group dynamics.

This reflection is supported by professional leadership development coaching sessions, as well as team-based feedback. Through this self-exploration journey, we work on what kind of leaders we want to become and who we are at our core. This level of introspection is intense, but essential. I believe that to create a meaningful impact, a leader must first understand themselves and how they interact with others. This is where IMD truly stands out.

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? My key advice to any future IMD MBA candidate is this: “Prioritize what you want to be great at and focus your energy accordingly.” The program feels like a buffet: rich, diverse, and full of exciting topics. But with limited time, it’s impossible to go deep on everything. Being strategic about where you want to excel will help you avoid burnout and deliver real value.

Equally important is self-care. No matter how intense the workload becomes, I always make space, at least half a day each week, to disconnect, go hiking, and reconnect with nature. That pause allows me to step back from the pressure, return with clarity, and sustain high performance over the long run. At IMD, resilience is just as important as intelligence.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment has been the bold decision to leave my home country, Benin, and restart my life from scratch in France. It was not just a physical relocation; it was a complete personal and professional reinvention. I juggled part-time jobs while pursuing two master’s degrees, adapted to a new culture, and broke into the competitive data science field – all while building a life from the ground up.

This chapter taught me grit, resourcefulness, and how to navigate uncertainty. I later brought those skills into my work as a data scientist. Whether leading analytical projects or mentoring junior colleagues, I have always drawn on that same inner drive to adapt, grow, and lift others up along the way.

For me, that decision laid the foundation for everything I have achieved professionally. It proved to me that transformation is possible and that we are all capable of more than we think, if we are willing to take the first step.

Describe your biggest accomplishment at IMD so far: My biggest accomplishment at IMD so far has been in the area of self-development. I am impressed by how quickly my self-awareness has grown since the start of the program. Two moments, in particular, have marked this transformation.

The first was when I decided to free myself from perfectionism and embrace a mindset of efficiency. Coming from a cultural and professional background where precision is highly valued, I initially struggled with the pace and pressure of the program. With so many competing demands, it felt like trying to juggle ten eggs with only two hands. Letting go of the need to perfect every task, and recognizing when “good enough” is truly enough, was a turning point. It allowed me to shift from surviving the workload to learning and growing from it.

The second shift came in the way I manage emotions. I have learned not to be held hostage by them, but instead to name them, understand their roots, and express them constructively. This change has deeply improved how I handle conflict, navigate stress, and collaborate with peers. It has made me a more present and empathetic person, and certainly a better future leader.

Where is your favorite hang-out in Lausanne? Why do you (and your classmates) gravitate there? My favorite hang-out in Lausanne is “La Jetée de la Compagnie”. No matter the season, I love taking a slow walk along this lakeside promenade, especially during lunch breaks. It is a moment to pause the relentless flow of information, clear my mind, and reconnect with myself.

In early spring, this spot becomes a gathering place for many of us. It is where we bond, reflect on the week, and share a laugh while watching the sun set over the mountains on the other side of the lake. There is something grounding about being by the water; it reminds us to slow down and breathe, even during a demanding MBA journey.

What has been your best memory at IMD thus far? My best memory at IMD so far is a group trip we took to Bali, Indonesia, during our month-long “Future Lab” module in Singapore. Following an invitation from the Indonesian students in our cohort, nearly half the class decided to spend a long weekend together on the island.

It was not just a trip to relax; it was a powerful moment of bonding and shared experience. Everywhere we went, people noticed our energy. We carried with us a spirit of joy, friendship, and camaraderie that triggered curiosity and connection.

Throughout the year, I have heard professors and staff say that our cohort is special, but it was during this trip that I truly felt it. We were not just classmates anymore; we had become a community.

Beyond all the learning and growth this year brings, it is moments like these that leave a lasting imprint. Years from now, we will look back on that weekend not just with nostalgia, but with pride in the relationships we built and the memories we created together.

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

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