Marina Kuzmanovic

INSEAD

“In love with the process of improving and optimistic – there’s always a reason to smile.”

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was regularly thrown four meters into the air and performed backflips as I competed in cheerleading at a high level throughout school, my studies, and my first job. To pre-empt the usual questions: yes, it’s a sport in its own right; and no, it’s not dancing with pom-poms but a mix of acrobatics and gymnastics. Also, my team was 60% men.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor and Master of Science in Psychology, University of Cologne

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Deutsche Telekom AG, Senior Consultant at Telekom Strategy Consulting (Deutsche Telekom’s in-house consultancy)

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? From the very first moment of the MBA, it has been INSEAD’s diversity that shapes how I learn: every discussion brings together different cultural backgrounds as well as professional perspectives across industries, roles, and functions. This ranges from consulting and supply chain to venture capital and even the U.S. Navy. I’m learning from and with my fellow MBA students by experiencing firsthand how these differences influence teamwork, ideation, and problem-solving. Having grown up between German and Bosnian cultures, I’ve seen how multiple perspectives broaden judgment and empathy. And this MBA has been amplifying that experience on a global scale. Building on these insights, I am already learning to approach situations in my future career with greater nuance and perspective: one of the most meaningful values the MBA provides for me personally.

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? As I didn’t want to step away from the business world for two years, INSEAD’s one-year program was the perfect choice to immerse myself fully in an intense, focused experience. The pace constantly challenges me to prioritize, learn quickly, and act decisively: skills I see as directly transferable to the marketplace. In the short term, coming from a psychology background, I perceive the academic grounding in core business disciplines such as finance and accounting as already strengthening my credibility. In the long run, however, the greatest advantage definitely will be INSEAD’s network: the program’s intensity forges deep personal and professional relationships whose full value will for sure continue to unfold well beyond graduation.

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? Aside from my classmates, INSEAD’s multi-campus model was the key factor that drew me to the program. Spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, it offers exposure to diverse economic contexts and ways of thinking that shape how business decisions are made across the world. It is a level of global immersion that no other business school offers in quite the same way. Singapore, in particular, holds a special place in my heart: alongside personal connections and early work experience, it was also where the idea of pursuing an MBA first took shape seven years ago. Returning now, at a different stage of life and as part of a truly global program, feels both meaningful and full circle.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at INSEAD? I find it difficult to single out one course, club, or activity. What excites me most at INSEAD is the program’s build-your-own-adventure nature: it feels like an intellectual buffet where you constantly have to make deliberate choices and prioritize among an abundance of opportunities. The sheer breadth of clubs and activities is remarkable, with groups for (almost) anything, ranging from discussions on the latest developments in the tech industry to collective HYROX training. Given the diversity and scale of the program, you inevitably find like-minded people who share your interests, a dynamic I find incredibly energizing.

Academically, I’m especially drawn to courses that push me beyond my prior education. Coming from a psychology background, exploring topics I haven’t yet approached from a formal academic perspective, such as financial markets, feels both challenging and rewarding. I’m using this year as an opportunity to dive into areas that excite me but that I haven’t previously had the chance to explore.

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 has been a genuine sense of belonging. Across conversations with both classmates and alumni, I’ve experienced an open, welcoming, and highly supportive mindset: people are ambitious and driven, yet intentional about making the most of every experience. That spirit surfaced unexpectedly during a workout class off campus in Singapore, where a casual conversation with another woman turned into a memorable INSEAD moment. When I mentioned that I was pursuing an MBA, she smiled and asked, “At INSEAD?” before adding, “You give off the INSEAD vibe, I’m an alumna myself.” It was a small interaction, but it captured something special for me: a shared mindset that connects the community and is recognizable even beyond the school itself.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Perhaps it’s the psychologist in me, but when I reflect on my biggest professional accomplishment, I don’t think first of a title or a single milestone. Instead, it’s the mindset I’ve developed while progressing from one role to the next. Surrounded by highly ambitious people, both at INSEAD and throughout my career, it’s easy to focus solely on the next goal. Navigating rapid transitions across functions and responsibilities, however, taught me to trust the process, enjoy the journey itself, and maintain a positive, grounded outlook even in demanding environments. Just as importantly, I’ve learned to distinguish between challenges worth fully committing to and those better met with perspective and acceptance. These are qualities I rely on throughout my MBA journey and continue to build on each day.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation, I hope to return to the business world better equipped to contribute nuanced perspectives: challenging assumptions, identifying blind spots, and enriching discussions by drawing on diverse cultural and professional viewpoints. Beyond applying what I’ve learned, I want to carry the INSEAD mindset into my workplace by broadening perspectives, encouraging ambition, and fostering an environment where people challenge one another while enjoying the journey together. I aim to help cultivate a culture that combines high standards with curiosity, collaboration, and a genuine sense of fun – because remember, there is always a reason to smile!

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into INSEAD’s MBA program?
My advice is to be genuinely authentic and to use the application process, especially the essays, as an opportunity for honest reflection. Rather than answering questions at a surface level, take the time to understand where your motivations, values, and defining traits actually come from. Ask yourself WHY you approach situations the way you do and what truly sets your story apart. There is no single “better” story: every journey is different, and clearly articulating your own, in your own voice, is what truly resonates, in my view.

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

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