Erwing Roussel WANDJA TCHAMBA

INSEAD

“Curious, resilient, deeply rooted in family, driven to learn, grow and design solutions that serve others.”

Hometown: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Fun Fact About Yourself: I co-founded a small poultry farm and an animal feed mill business with my brothers.

Undergraduate School and Major: ISCAE Casablanca – Master’s in finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Southbridge Advisory & Investment – Senior Consultant

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?
Having lived, studied, and worked abroad, I’ve experienced firsthand the richness that cultural diversity brings—whether in solving complex problems, managing teams, or building lasting relationships. In consulting, I’ve learned how different backgrounds offer distinct approaches to thinking, negotiating, and creating solutions. I’m sure that INSEAD’s global community will take this to the next level. The chance to learn from classmates from 90+ countries is an immense asset. These perspectives will not only enrich the classroom discussions, but also broaden my thinking on leadership, impact, and how different cultures approach problems and people.

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? I chose a one-year MBA because it allows me to accelerate my career and to return to the job market faster while minimizing both opportunity cost and tuition expenses.

Beyond the one-year MBA, INSEAD offers an immersive experience and a rigorous and qualitative academic environment, the consistently high rankings support is a good indicator of that. But what truly makes the difference for me is INSEAD’s outstanding reputation in strategy consulting, with the strong placement track record in the field, as well as the strength and reach of its alumni network.

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? Beyond the incredible diversity of the student body, what truly stood out to me at INSEAD was its alumni network. With over 66,000 alumni in 180 countries, it’s not just large. It’s deeply connected, engaged, and genuinely supportive. I’ve already had the chance to speak with several alumni during my application process, and what struck me was their willingness to share advice, make introductions, and offer perspective.

For someone like me, who aspires to drive impact across Africa, having access to such a global, mission-driven network is a powerful advantage. Whether it’s for mentorship, cross-border collaboration, or even launching future ventures, I know I’ll be able to count on this community long after graduation.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at INSEAD? It’s hard to choose just one, but I’m eager to join the Africa Club to contribute to discussions and initiatives around the continent’s sustainable growth, and the Consulting Club to strengthen my skills and network ahead of my post-MBA consulting goals.

On the academic side, I’m looking forward to diving into courses related to finance and strategy and exploring the Organisational Behaviour course. I believe that understanding how people and organizations function is essential for leading impactful changes, especially in complex, multicultural environments.

Outside the classroom, you’ll probably find me in the DANCEAD Club or on the football pitch—two activities that keep me energized and help me connect with people in a completely different way.

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. My first impression of INSEAD students and alumni is that they are genuinely passionate about the school and the experience it offers. Every alumnus I’ve met has described the MBA as life-changing—a year they loved, filled with deep personal and professional connections that have lasted well beyond graduation.

One of the most interesting stories so far is meeting an alumna from the Class of 2010, who interviewed me during the admissions process. We connected instantly and kept in touch, and she later invited me to collaborate with her on real estate consulting projects over three months. She often told me how much she envied me for being about to live the INSEAD experience again, which only made me even more excited to start.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest professional accomplishment so far has been leading the design of the repositioning strategy for a major Moroccan public financial institution managing over €35 billion in assets. The mission covered multiple sectors: retail banking, insurance/reinsurance, asset management, and investment. The project required a deep understanding of complex markets and diverse stakeholders. Coordinating a multidisciplinary team, I drove the project from diagnosis to strategic recommendations, ensuring alignment with the institution’s long-term vision. This experience not only sharpened my strategic thinking but also reinforced my ability to lead high-impact initiatives in complex environments.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I plan to continue in strategy consulting, ideally joining a top-tier firm (MBB), where I can work on impactful projects. That said, before jumping into this next professional chapter, I intend to take some time to travel, spend time with my loved ones, and recharge. After what I know will be an intense yet incredibly rewarding year at INSEAD, a short break will allow me to reflect, reset, and start the next phase of my career with fresh energy.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into INSEAD’s MBA program?
Be honest and intentional. This school values authenticity, not just achievements. Reflect on who you are, where you’re coming from, and what drives you. Then show how INSEAD fits into your journey. Don’t underestimate the importance of the essays. Put in the necessary time and effort, they’re where your story shines.

DON’T MISS: MEET INSEAD’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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