Anthony Ivan Geronimo

INSEAD

“Filipino railway engineer in Japan, runner by habit, wannabe blues guitarist by dream.”

Hometown: Marikina City, Philippines

Fun Fact About Yourself: I picked up running in late 2024 and never stopped. I now run 3–5 km daily, once ran a full 37 km loop around Tokyo’s iconic Yamanote Line, and I’m training for my first marathon this December!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of the Philippines – Diliman, Mechanical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Toshiba Corporation, Systems Engineer

INSEAD is one of the most culturally and professionally diverse MBA programs in the world. How do you see these global perspectives enhancing the value of your business education over the next year? As someone who relocated to Japan to advance my career, I gained the unique experience of being one of the very few foreigners in a predominantly Japanese workplace. My role required me to communicate effectively in both Japanese and English, acting as a bridge between our local engineering teams and overseas clients. Through this experience, I saw firsthand how essential a global perspective is to build trust and drive collaboration across borders. With an ultimate personal goal of being a globally mobile professional, I knew that this is something that I had to develop further. At INSEAD, I look forward to engaging with peers from varied backgrounds to deepen my understanding of global business dynamics. I believe this exposure will accelerate my development as a global leader and equip me with the insight and network to lead confidently in international contexts.

Why did you choose a one-year program over a two-year program? How do you see an INSEAD MBA giving you an advantage in the marketplace? One of my key considerations in selecting an MBA program was its duration. That said, it was my goal to get into a program that would allow me to return to the workforce quickly without sacrificing academic standards. INSEAD’s accelerated 10-month format offers exactly that: a fast-paced, high-impact education delivered at a global setting. I look forward to the challenge of adapting quickly, making decisions under pressure, and growing in a fast-paced academic environment, experiences that will prepare me well for today’s dynamic and highly competitive business landscape. Moreover, INSEAD’s vast international alumni network presents a unique advantage, opening doors no matter where in the world I choose to advance my career.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of INSEAD’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? My wife’s role occasionally requires her to relocate internationally for one to two years at a time. Because of this, geographic flexibility is a top priority in my career planning. INSEAD’s global alumni network stood out to me as a key factor, providing access to a strong, supportive community across regions. I believe this kind of reach will be invaluable in helping me navigate career opportunities globally, ensuring that I can remain professionally competitive and connected no matter the location.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at INSEAD? What excites me the most is the campus exchange opportunity. I believe that this exemplifies INSEAD’s global nature, allowing students to immerse themselves in at least two distinct cultural and geographic environments. Starting my MBA in the dynamic, fast-paced city of Singapore, I’m looking forward to spending at least one period in the tranquil, countryside setting of Fontainebleau. I believe that this experience will add depth and contrast to my global learning journey.

What has been your first impression of the INSEAD MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best INSEAD story so far. The first INSEAD event that I attended was a Winter Ball hosted by the INSEAD Alumni Association in Japan. As a Round 1 applicant, only a handful of our batch were invited, and I was the only one who could attend. To be honest, I felt intimidated meeting such accomplished alumni; it made me realize how much I still have to grow. However, as I participated in more events, both in Tokyo and back home in Manila, my impression changed completely. The alumni community proved to be incredibly helpful and encouraging; they consistently responded to my consultation requests and assured me that the INSEAD MBA will be one if not the most rewarding year of my life. I guess my “best INSEAD story” hasn’t happened yet, but I’m excited to write it.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During my five-year tenure at Toshiba Japan, I led a landmark project delivering a 14.5MW battery-based energy storage system for the Dhaka Metro, Bangladesh’s first electric railway. This initiative marked our company’s first overseas deployment of this technology, making it a significant milestone for both the company and the country of Bangladesh. This project and my role pushed me to grow from a non-Japanese-speaking junior staff member into a confident professional capable of leading meetings in Japanese and managing overseas clients independently. It was a transformation that took years of resilience and that’s why I’m especially proud of this achievement.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I plan to transition into consulting to gain broad exposure across industries and strengthen my strategic problem-solving skills. I am particularly interested in infrastructure projects for developing regions, as they align closely with my professional background and personal values. This experience will provide a strong foundation in managing complex projects and navigating diverse stakeholder environments—capabilities essential for my long-term goal of working in development with organizations such as the Asian Development Bank or the World Bank.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into INSEAD’s MBA program? More than the usual advice to start early and focus on reviewing for the GMAT and GRE, my advice is to create a retrospective timeline that maps out key events and achievements from childhood to present on a yearly basis. This exercise, recommended to me by an INSEAD alumna, was instrumental in helping me reflect deeply and craft authentic, memorable essays which, I believe, hold much more weight than the entrance exam scores. That said, I also strongly encourage reaching out to alumni as early as possible; their insights can help you refine your application and uncover perspectives you might not have considered on your own.

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