Vin Ne Foo

IMD Business School, Lausanne

“Speak up, show up, raise the bar. Never half-committed, always full-hearted with work and people.”

Hometown: Ipoh, Malaysia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m from Ipoh, a small town in Malaysia, known for its spring water, silky noodles, and Michelle Yeoh. Michelle’s mom often drops by my family’s noodle restaurant.

Undergraduate School and Major: National University of Singapore, Bachelor of Chemical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Incitec Pivot Ltd, Business Insights Lead

What has been the best part of being in a small class with this group of classmates? I know and genuinely care about every one of my classmates. We’re a tight group, and I often tell friends I’m only a text – or even a flight – away.

Because we’re so close and the workload is intense, we see how each of us, with our different backgrounds, handles tough situations. You learn what makes people tick, how to work with them, and how to move forward together. That, to me, is the most valuable learning. Over time, I’ve realized that while we’re different, we share the same values and respect for one another. That’s what holds us together.

Giving and receiving feedback is a big part of IMD. We practice it in structured settings facilitated by our leadership coaches and Personal Development Elective (PDE) analysts, and over time, we do it naturally with each other, too.

This is what makes IMD special. We are a small community, but we care deeply and are truly committed to each other’s growth.

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? One of the things that stood out to me was IMD’s strong focus on executive education. To me, it was a sign that the school is connected to what’s happening in the real world, and that the learning here would be relevant. That was important to me. I didn’t want a purely academic program.

I wasn’t disappointed. In our strategy module, for example, we work on real cases based on current issues in actual companies. What makes it even more relevant is that leaders from those companies join us in class. They challenge our thinking and share how these decisions are playing out in their organizations. It brings the learning to life and shows us that the thinking we do in class can have a real impact in the real world.

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? Just put your head down and do the work. There are no shortcuts. The workload is intense, especially in the first few months, but once you find your rhythm, you’ll be surprised by how much you’re capable of doing. I’ve come to really appreciate the discipline and momentum I’ve built at IMD, and I believe that if I can keep it up, I can take on anything. Do your best, stay consistent, and you won’t be disappointed.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I love working with data, but what I care most about is making it accessible and actionable. Over the last eight years, that has been my mission: help businesses use data to connect the dots and solve big, messy problems.

I’ve done this for FMCG clients at Euromonitor International, for commercial teams at Philip Morris, and most recently for the leadership team at Incitec Pivot Ltd. In these roles, I’ve learned how to unpack complex business needs, understand the “why” behind the ask, and deliver clarity and insights that drive real decisions.

Along the way, I’ve had the chance to bring my perspective to teams across different industries and geographies. And that, to me, is my biggest accomplishment.

Describe your biggest accomplishment at IMD so far: My biggest accomplishment at IMD has been learning how to collaborate in groups where motivation, working styles, and expectations differ. In many of our core projects, team members often had very different views of what “good” looks like. At the beginning, I struggled with how direct to be and often felt frustrated.

Over time, I learned to adopt other points of view, incorporate new ways of working, and still push for stronger outcomes. One phrase – “There’s more than one way to skin a cat” – rings especially true when working in diverse teams made up of equally capable individuals.

I’ve come to realize that it’s not possible to do it all alone. When you try, you take away others’ opportunity to contribute, which is unfair. IMD taught me that working together often leads to better results, even if the process takes longer or isn’t how I would have done it. That mindset shift has been one of my biggest achievements.

Where is your favorite hang-out in Lausanne? Why do you (and your classmates) gravitate there? My favorite hangout is Le Montriond, a little bar/café by Parc de Milan. It’s vibrant, friendly, and – most importantly – a five-minute walk from campus.

What has been your best memory at IMD thus far? Spending a month in Singapore for the Future Lab module has been one of my favorite IMD memories. I had previously lived and worked there for eight years, so it felt really good to be back.

What made it even more special was being there with my classmates and watching their perspective of Southeast Asia shift over the trip. Seeing Singapore through their eyes, and watching them experience first-hand what I’ve lived, was something I’ll never forget.

But it wasn’t just about coming back to a city I love. I saw Singapore through a new lens, too. We visited incredible companies like BytePlus, Microsoft, Obayashi, JLL, Hilti, and Bunge, as well as government institutions like SMRT, A*STAR, and the Building and Construction Authority. Even for me, it was eye-opening. I came away feeling like I understand Singapore better than I ever have.

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

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