Meet INSEAD’s MBA Class Of 2026

NO GROWTH WHEN YOU’RE AROUND PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF

In many ways, the 26J class brought career experiences that enabled them to adapt quickly to such expectations. Anthony Ivan Geronimo, a native of the Philippines, moved to Japan and spent nearly six years at Toshiba – what he calls a “predominantly Japanese workplace.” By the same token, Sarah Beth Rupp served as an exchange pilot with the French Navy, where she operated inside a foreign unit ‘that solved problems differently.” After leaving India to work in Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, Raj Sachdev gained some 360-degree insights on what really matters in supporting other populations.

“Diversity has allowed me to understand how solutions to problems can be localized. Even more, they’ve helped me realize that despite varying circumstances, problems often have universal patterns regardless of geography or industry.”

With INSEAD classes regularly bringing together 90 or more nationalities, initial tensions give way to collaboration, as students realizes they are in this together…and the way to make the most of the experience is to open up and leverage each other’s abilities.

“There is little growth in only speaking to versions of ourselves,” explains Raymond Chan. “INSEAD offers something truly rare: a cohort of incredibly diverse, high-achieving individuals from every corner of the world, all brought together in one place. They’re not just here to learn, but to challenge, inspire, and transform one another.”

AN INTENSE 10-MONTH EXPERIENCE

INSEAD may be the business school “for the world,” but you’ll also find it is the business school “around the world.” Boasting campuses in Fontainebleau, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco, students can navigate different cultures and practices beyond just the classroom.

“The campus exchanges to Singapore and Abu Dhabi and various treks around with world for class electives are a part of the program that is uniquely INSEAD,” says Sarah Beth Rupp. “No other school enables such travel and global learning.”

Ask students and alumni for a word to describe INSEAD and they’ll probably say “intense.” That starts with a compressed 10-month format – not to mention a three-language requirement for graduation. The benefit to a shorter format is clear to the Class of 2026: lower tuition cost and returning to the workforce sooner. In the process, they can recoup pay and momentum they might have lost in a two-year program. Of course, there is a tradeoffs, says ’25 alum Angel Chen.

“One of the common things I heard about INSEAD was the intensity of the program. I can confirm: it’s not necessarily a myth! Think learning six courses and French classes every seven weeks (with seven exams!), industry and social events happening every other night, weekend trips, and carving out time for your family and personal life, there is always an opportunity cost to each decision. It’s an immersive look into the consultancy life – with a boost, as it’s much longer than your average project life.”

REPLICATING THE PRESSURES OF A GLOBAL LEADER

However, a 10-month timeline also simulates what INSEAD graduates will experience as global managers. The intense pace, says Marina Kuzmanovic, challenged her to “prioritize, learn quickly, and act decisively” – the same skills she will need to master in a leadership role. Anthony Ivan Geronimo observes that the shorter timeframe has enabled him to “adapt quickly and make decisions under pressure,” with Tami Chitashvili adding that it has driven her to “make the most of every minute.”

Campus Exchanges are particularly valuable in preparing MBAs for the demands of a global leader. Josh Selva, another member of the 26J class, almost skipped the Campus Exchange, which happens during the fourth month. He didn’t see a financial return in heading to the Abu Dhabi campus. However, his classmates showed him it was a way to truly prepare for different worlds – and have a lot of fun along the way.

“Abu Dhabi doesn’t ease you in,” Selva explains. “From memorable lectures set against a skyline view of the city in Al Khatem Tower, we set off dune bashing in Al Ain, jet skiing across Dubai, and kayaking at the Louvre Abu Dhabi as the light dissolved over the water. A city that built itself from desert into a global business hub in a single generation has a particular effect on your ambitions. It makes small thinking feel like a waste of time. What the exchange gave me wasn’t a location. It was clarity.”

And what epiphany did Selva gain? “I arrived understanding finance,” he continues. “I left understanding that what I actually wanted was to move and shape businesses: to make decisions that ripple outward, add real value to people and places, and watch that impact unfold in real time. The MBA sharpened my thinking. Abu Dhabi expanded what I thought was possible.”

A DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Aside from its diversity, INSEAD is also known as the birthplace of the Blue Ocean Strategy – focusing efforts on markets with minimal competition (blue) against those with intense competition (red). The architects of the strategy and authors of the best-seller, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, are still faculty members at INSEAD. In fact, INSEAD still offers an elective related to the concept – one that uses virtual reality to bring concepts to life, says ’25 alum Levin Shu.

“Through using the VR headsets, we stepped into an immersive experience to reimagine how Château de Fontainebleau could address customers’ pain points. This technology boosted learning experience by enabling me to see and feel details of the clients like never before. It also greatly enhanced my memory, as the visceral sense of context kept me more engaged than passive case reading. By using VR, I didn’t just learn the Blue Ocean concepts — I experienced them.”

That’s not the only unforgettable experience at INSEAD. ’25 grad Gabriel Pereira points to Master Strategist Day. A simulation challenge, MBA teams are given a challenge facing a real-world non-profit. By end of day, in front of judges, selected finalists must outline their strategies to help that organization achieve its ends.

“It challenges us to apply critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to tackle complex business scenarios under time pressure,” Pereira tells P&Q. “This event reflects INSEAD’s commitment to hands-on learning, bridging classroom theory with practical strategy execution in a high-stakes environment. Still, most importantly, “Business as a force for good,” as in the last years, the companies selected were NGOs looking to make an impact on their communities.”

STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Josh Selva points to Launch Week as INSEAD’s signature experience. The first week orientation, Launch Week truly reflects the spirit that makes INSEAD so unique.

“Arriving at INSEAD for Launch Week felt like the culmination of an ambition I had carried for over a decade,” Selva tells P&Q. “The chatter on WhatsApp, the anticipation, the first meet-ups — none of it prepares you for the moment you walk through the doors. Five hundred students across two campuses flood in, badges in hand, buzzing with a shared energy that is impossible to manufacture. The first time you step into Amphi Suddens, hear Katja Boytler and the deans speak about a cohort of outliers ready to change the world, something shifts. You feel the electricity as you head to take the iconic cohort photo on the lawn and by the INSEAD sign. Then your first class begins. Ours opened with a live case on a Belgian airline that collapsed in 2001, featuring Erik, an INSEAD alumnus who had lived the restructuring himself. That is when it becomes real. This is a network that has shaped the world. And now you are part of it.”

For Raj Sachdev, maybe the best tradition has been ‘Dash.’ “[It’s] a day when students across the two campuses show up to class in their weirdest cosplays. The bar seems high considering in a previous edition someone pinned fake money to their suit and showed up as ‘cash flow’.”

As a whole, the 26J class features 454 students who carry 78 different passports. Women account for 42% of the class, which average 29 years of age and 5.6 years of work experience.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK STABILE

Breaking news? Career and alumni support? AI integration? These are all topics that P&Q addressed with Mark Stabile, Dean of Degree Programmes and Dean of the Europe Campus at INSEAD, in an exclusive interview. Wondering what you can expect in the coming year at INSEAD? Here are Stabile’s thoughts on the critical questions of the day.

P&Q: What have been the two most important developments in your MBA program over the past year? What type of impact will they have on current and future MBAs?

Stabile: “Over the past year, we have continued to strengthen our focus on artificial intelligence across the MBA. On the curricular side, we’ve expanded our offerings significantly – our students can choose from a range of electives focusing on digital transformation, AI, data analytics, and other emerging technologies. New electives include Generative AI Product&Business, Building your Personal and Business AI Strategy, Marketing to Humans, Bots and Beyond, Hands-on Deep Learning, GenAI at Work, Forecasting Beyond Guessing, Creative Thinking with AI, and more. All of these help prepare our graduates to be AI-ready leaders who can master new digital skills and adapt quickly as technology reshapes organisations.

INSEAD is also piloting an innovative segment within its core Marketing course that uses AI to help students apply marketing principles to their own career strategy. The new module enables participants to visualize potential career paths, understand the skills and experiences required for target roles, and position themselves more effectively in a competitive global job market.

As Dean of Degree Programmes, I also meet with the Committee of Area Chairs (CAC) on a regular basis to conduct reviews exploring how and what we teach to ensure that our curriculum is relevant to current and future business context.

Another exciting development is as of January/February 2025, INSEAD has resumed offering residential study periods for MBA students in the Middle East. This initiative provides our MBAs with valuable exposure to the region’s dynamic business environment and reflects INSEAD’s continued commitment to global business education. It’s also driven by strong demand from students seeking greater access to the region’s dynamic networking opportunities and career prospects. The Middle East is experiencing rapid economic diversification, with major investments in technology, sustainability, and venture creation reshaping the region’s and global business landscape. For our MBAs, this also enables them to engage with pioneering companies that are shaping the future of business.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of our Asia Campus in Singapore. Since 1999, MBA students have had the opportunity to study in Singapore as part of INSEAD’s unique multi-campus structure.  INSEAD’s unique campus model — with locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America — allows students to immerse themselves in different regions during the programme.

Singapore in particular is an exceptionally attractive destination: it is a global hub in one of the world’s most dynamic business regions with world-class infrastructure, a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and hosting regional headquarters of many global companies. The multicultural environment offers a natural extension of INSEAD’s diversity, while proximity to Asia’s growth markets gives students unparalleled access to professional opportunities. The campus anniversary is a reminder of how INSEAD connects students to global opportunities and prepares them to lead across borders.”

P&Q: What do you see as the main differentiator that distinguishes your MBA program from other schools? How does it enhance the student experience and make them more attractive to employers?

Stabile: “Diversity remains at the core of the INSEAD experience: with more than 80 nationalities represented in the MBA each year and no dominating nationality or culture, our classrooms are hubs of global perspectives. This results in a learning environment brimming with global perspectives, where debates are enriched by authentic cross-cultural exchange conducted with openness and empathy, helping students build the skills to navigate the complexities in today’s world.

We are also committed to increasing gender diversity. INSEAD currently offers over 170 scholarship funds, with around 40% of MBA students receiving support each year. For women specifically, we provide more than 15 dedicated scholarships that on average cover 25% of tuition fees, and we partner with organisations like the Forté Foundation to further strengthen the pipeline of female leaders. These efforts are complemented by initiatives such as the Women in Business Club, the INSEAD Gender Initiative, and tailored career support. Together, they create real pathways for more women to join the programme and progress into leadership roles. Employers look for graduates who can collaborate across borders, lead inclusively, and bring fresh perspectives, and INSEAD MBAs are uniquely prepared for this.”

P&Q: What types of services do you provide to first-year MBAs to ease their transition into business school?

Stabile: “INSEAD’s one-year MBA journey begins well before the first day of class. Through our pre-programme orientation (P0), students connect with the programme and student life team, the Career Development Centre (CDC), and the Personal Leadership Development Programme (PLDP) team in a series of sessions designed to ease their transition into business school.

P0 offers webinars and workshops on academics, leadership development, careers, student life, visas, housing, and financial aid. During P0, our Career Development team guides students through a structured onboarding process designed to help them clarify their goals, understand their strengths, and position themselves for success in the global job market. Students complete the Career Leader assessment to identify their key motivators, skills, and potential career paths. They then craft and refine their CVs in line with international recruiting standards. Each student also participates in a one-to-one coaching session with their assigned career coach to translate insights into a personalized strategy for the months ahead. Those targeting fields like investment banking can take part in pre-MBA treks and industry workshops. To start building community, students can join flatmate-matching groups and connect with classmates online.

For students wishing to brush up academically, the optional Business Foundations Week provides grounding in financial accounting, finance, and quantitative methods. Finally, the transition culminates in Launch Week, where students gather on campus for a dynamic immersion that builds a sense of belonging and sets the tone for a transformative year ahead.”

Next Page: In-Depth Profiles of 12 Members of the MBA Class of 2026

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