Irmak Ozbek

Hometown: Izmir, Turkey 

Undergraduate School and Major: Architectural Design, Politecnico di Milano 

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:  Bisfora Technologies – Business Development 

Fun Fact About Yourself 

I was a ballerina for fifteen years and later went on to teach ballet as well. It was a big part of my life for a long time, even though this year it’s been impossible to keep practicing alongside the MBA. 

What makes Milan such a great place to earn an MBA? 

Milan has been part of my life for over a decade. I first moved here ten years ago to pursue my bachelor’s degree in architecture and engineering, and once I arrived, I never really wanted to leave. I studied here, graduated, and started working in the city. 

More recently, after moving into the startup world and spending time between Italy and Turkey, I realized I needed to strengthen my business and management skills. Choosing Milan for my MBA felt natural. It’s the city I feel most connected to, and it’s where I want to continue building my professional and personal life. 

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of SDA Bocconi’s MBA curriculum and programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? 

The network was the most important factor for me. I knew I wanted to stay in Italy, and Bocconi’s strength in terms of alumni and professional connections clearly stood out. Having access to such a strong and well-established network felt essential for the next step of my career. 

What course, club or activity excites you the most at SDA Bocconi? 

The Women in Business Club, where I currently serve as President. It was something I already knew I wanted to be part of when I was applying, and it has become a central part of my MBA experience. 

We focus on creating meaningful conversations, organizing events that bring people together, and building real networking opportunities. What matters a lot to me is that the club is open and inclusive. Men actively participate in our events, engage in discussions, and support the initiatives, which was very important to me from the beginning. 

The Bocconi MBA is known for striking a balance between core business knowledge and skills that emphasize vision, judgment, and innovation. What area do you hope to strengthen during your year of business school and why? 

Core business knowledge is my main focus. My background is very different from that of many of my classmates, who often come from consulting or finance. For them, the MBA represents a next step. For me, it’s about building a solid foundation in management. 

I want to continue working in startup environments and move into more senior roles. To do that with confidence, I need a strong grounding in business fundamentals, and that’s exactly what I’m here to develop.

What makes you unique in the Class of 2026? 

I think what I bring to the cohort is my desire to contribute through service. Through the Women in Business Club, my goal is to create value for my classmates by opening doors, facilitating connections, and making sure people feel supported. 

I want my classmates to associate my role with concrete opportunities and a sense of community. Taking what is already a strong group and helping it grow further feels like a meaningful way to contribute. 

The Bocconi MBA is also known for its strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. How does the program’s focus on STEM insights and mindful leadership appeal to you? 

For me, the value of this approach is less about specific labels and more about perspective. Coming from a non-business background, being exposed to people with strong technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial experience has been very impactful. Professors and guest speakers bring concrete examples of how innovation, technology, and leadership actually work in practice, not just in theory. 

At the same time, the way leadership is approached here feels very human. You’re encouraged to ask questions, share doubts, and learn through dialogue. When you’re trying to understand your next step, having access to people who are open to listening and sharing their experience makes a real difference. That combination of exposure to innovation and a supportive, mindful environment is what has been most meaningful to me so far. 

When you think of SDA Bocconi, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? 

Ambition. It’s something you feel everywhere, from the cohort to the broader Bocconi community. People here are driven and motivated, and even when you’re uncertain about your future, being surrounded by that energy pushes you to aim higher. 

Alongside ambition, there’s also a strong sense of prestige. It’s an environment that encourages you to take yourself seriously and believe that you can make a real impact. 

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far. 

My biggest accomplishment was making a complete career change and joining a tech startup in Turkey. The company focused on supporting farmers and helping them grow their businesses in a challenging economic context. Being part of a team that successfully launched and scaled such a project felt meaningful, both professionally and personally, because it allowed me to contribute to my home country in a tangible way. 

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into SDA Bocconi’s MBA program? 

Don’t feel the need to have everything figured out. I didn’t. What matters more than having a perfectly defined plan is being honest about where you are and what you’re trying to understand. During the admissions process, I realized that doubts are not a weakness here. They’re part of the conversation. 

My advice would be to focus on one direction you care about, explain it clearly, and be open about your questions. You don’t need to present a finished version of yourself. You just need to show that you’re ready to grow. 

 

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