What a year!
Last Friday, 13 December, we officially graduated from the IMD MBA program. The emotions are still raw: anticipation leading up to the ceremony, the electric joy of celebrating together, and the bittersweet warmth of saying, “See you later.” This wasn’t just the end of a chapter – it was a commemoration of everything we’ve become and the communities we’ve built.
The final days leading up to graduation were magical. With a bit of free time on our hands, we soaked up every last moment in Switzerland. Skiing the slopes of Verbier (in full Santa attire), wandering through the festive Christmas markets of Bern and Montreux, indulging in just enough fondue, and balancing the winter chill with a comforting vin chaud. The energy around IMD was a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and deep appreciation. We knew these days were fleeting, but we also knew they were precious.
A personal highlight for me was receiving the Welshe Women’s Award – an honor established by alumna Gillian Welshe in 1984 to celebrate outstanding women in the program. To be recognized by my peers in this way was deeply moving. Their words – kind, thoughtful, and genuine – moved me to tears. I’ve always strived to be a community builder: to show kindness, challenge others to rise, foster inclusion, and encourage curiosity. My leadership on the Healthcare Club and DE&I Committee were just a few expressions of this. To see it resonate with my peers, and to join the inspiring network of Welshe Women, is something I’ll carry forward with gratitude and humility.
Graduation day itself was a beautiful blur of emotions. Lining up alongside my classmates, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. Watching my peers walk across the stage, heads high, to accept their diplomas, I celebrated them as fiercely as I could, because we’ve all earned this. After the ceremony, we recharged (some with naps, some with a dip in the icy lake) before gathering for the evening gala.
Held at the stunning Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace, the gala was nothing short of extraordinary. From heartfelt speeches and games celebrating the year to endless photos and dancing to live music with the iconic MBA band – we didn’t want it to end. Most of us stayed until dawn, making the night last as long as possible. It wasn’t just a celebration of accomplishments; it was a celebration of a bond we’ll carry forward into the future.
Saying goodbye was hard. But as we step into this next chapter, we do so empowered—by the knowledge we’ve gained, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the incredible people we’ve surrounded ourselves with. IMD has shaped me into a more thoughtful, capable, and resilient leader, ready to leave a positive impact on my future teams, organizations, and communities.
And that’s the beauty of this program – it’s so much more than an MBA. It’s a transformative journey that challenges you to grow, connects you to a lifelong network of leaders, and unlocks your full potential. Though we may now scatter across the globe, the bonds we’ve built will endure, and we’ll continue to inspire and elevate one another – no matter the distance.
To my classmates: thank you for the joy, the hard work, and the unwavering support. To the IMD team: thank you for bringing us together and creating the space for all of us to explore, connect, and dream bigger.
This year has left its mark on me, and I can’t wait to leave mine in the world.
Here’s to the IMD MBA Class of 2024 – and to what comes next!
From the MBA team:
Congratulations to our 2024 graduates and a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the blog this year – sharing their stories and dreams, program experiences and extra-curricula activities. It has been a pleasure working with this year’s class and we wish them and all our readers a happy end of year and onwards journey.
